Thilina D. Surasinghe

Professor Thilina D. Surasinghe serves in the Department of Biological Sciences at Bridgewater State University as both a Professor and Director of Undergraduate Research. His academic journey includes a BS from the University of Colombo and a PhD in Fisheries & Wildlife Biology from Clemson University.

His research spans biodiversity conservation science and landscape ecology, with specific expertise in biotic homogenization along urban-rural gradients, species responses to environmental predictors, and conservation planning in tropical ecosystems. Significant fieldwork occurs in Sri Lanka focusing on amphibians, reptiles, birds, and bats, including new species discoveries. He actively partners with the MA Division of Ecological Restoration, Mass Audubon, Tidmarsh Living Observatory, and the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) for wetland restoration monitoring and macrosystems ecology research.

Methodologically, he specializes in applied statistics (multivariate/non-parametric techniques, mixed-effects modeling), R programming, GIS applications, and Remote Sensing. His work through NSF-funded Research Coordination Networks includes Training Undergraduate Biologists through Urban Agriculture and the Urban Wildlife Information Network.

As Director of Undergraduate Research, he oversees one of the nation's top undergraduate research programs according to the Council on Undergraduate Research. His technical proficiency combines ecological fieldwork with advanced data analysis capabilities across conservation and restoration contexts.