DR. SHERMILA M. BOTHEJU
PhD in Environmental Chemistry, BSc (Hons) in Botany
Dip in GIS & RS, Dip in Psychology & Counseling, A.I. Biol (SL)
Lecturer
Department of Indigenous Medical Resources
Contact details: : shermila@gwu.ac.lk /+94 332060852
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Chemistry (Effective Date: 27/12/2022)
University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
- Bachelor of Science Honors Specialized in Botany (Effective Date: 31/03/2017)
University of Kelaniya , Sri Lanka
- Diploma in Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing (Effective Date: 19/12/2021)
University of Sri Jayawardanepura, Sri Lanka
- Diploma in Psychology and Counseling (Effective Date: 31/10/2024)
Institute of Management and Business Studies Green Campus, Sri Lanka
FIELD OF SPECIALIZATION
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Environmental Chemistry
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Plant and Microbial Ecology
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Sustainable Applications in Health and Agriculture
RESEARCH AREAS AND FIELDS OF INTEREST
- Groundwater contamination and its impact on Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown etiology (CKDu), water quality assessment, and freshwater ecology
- Phytochemical profiling of medicinally important plants, evaluation of antimicrobial and pharmaceutical properties of medicinal plants
- Plant tissue culture and micropropagation (In vitro propagation) techniques for conservation, disease-free plant production, and commercialization
- Morphological and anatomical adaptations of medicinal plants, taxonomic identification, classification of flora, and physiological responses of plants to abiotic stresses
- Phytoremediation using mangrove and native species for the remediation of agricultural and industrial pollutants in coastal and inland ecosystems
- Conservation of medicinal and ecologically significant plants and algae, sustainable disease management of plant diseases, propagation of medicinal plant substitutes
- Microbial biomass studies, industrial and environmental applications of beneficial microbes, development of biocontrol and biofertilizer solutions
CERTIFICATES/TRAININGS/SHORT COURSES
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International Training Course on Environmental Toxicology and Health (24 – 28 June 2024)
Chulabhorn Research Institute, Thailand
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International Training Course on Environmental Health Risk Assessment and Management of Toxic Chemicals: Fundamentals of Risk Assessment (27 November – 02 December 2023)
Chulabhorn Research Institute, Thailand
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Training Workshop on Identification of Tropical Angiosperm Families (30th August – 01st September 2024)
University of Sri Jayawardanepura, Sri Lanka
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Workshop on Preservation of Plant Materials (28th September 2024)
University of Sri Jayawardanepura, Sri Lanka
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Wokrshop on HACCAP Implementation (07th June 2020 - Online)
University of Sri Jayawardanepura, Sri Lanka
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Certificate Course in Introductory Statistics (23rd & 24th June 2018)
University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
WORK EXPERIENCE/POSITIONS HELD (INTERNATIONAL/LOCAL/UNIVERSITY LEVEL/DEPARTMENT LEVEL)
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Coordinator – Staff Development Centre (April 2025 – up-to-date)
Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of indigenous Medicine, Sri Lanka
- Project Manager – Plant Tissue Culture Research Centre – (October, 2024 - up-to-date)
Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of indigenous Medicine, Sri Lanka
- Academic Advisor of the Department of Indigenous Medical Resources (May 2025)
Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of indigenous Medicine, Sri Lanka
- Quality Coordinator – Department of Indigenous Medical Resources – Bachelor of Health Sciences in Indigenous Pharmaceutical Technology Degree Program (April 2025 – up-to-date)
Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of indigenous Medicine, Sri Lanka
- Member of the Resource Pool of Expertise for Research Review and Roadmap Development (April 2025 – up-to-date)
Ministry of Science and Technology, Sri Lanka
- Reviewer – Journal of Entomological Research (Science Citation Index Expanded) – (2024 – up-to-date)
- Reviewer – Journal of Geochemistry and Health (Science Citation Index Journal) – (2023 – up-to-date)
- Reviewer – Journal of Uttar Pradesh Journal of Zoology (Included in the Master Journal List) – (2023-up-to-date)
- Reviewer – Journal of Chemosphere (Elsevier Publications) – (2024 – up-to-date)
- Member of the Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka
- Member of the Sri Lanka Academy of Young Scientists (SLAYS)
- Member of Young Scientist Forum, Sri Lanka (YSF)
- Graduate Research Assistant (January 2019 – June 2021)
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
- Graduate Teaching Assistant (March 2017 – December 2018)
Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
AWARDS
- Travel Award to attend the International Conference on Environmental Pollutants and Toxicants Affecting Health: Collaborative Efforts for Improving Quality of Life in June 2024
Chulabhorn Rseearch Institute, Thailand - University Senate Awards in 2020,2021, and 2022 Years
University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka - Dean’s List Award in 2014/2015 & 2013/2014 Academic Years
University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka - Award for the Best Performance in Botany in 2011/2012 & 2012/2013 Academic Years
University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
ONGOING REASERCH/GRANTS
- Optimizing Poly-Phytoextraction for the Development and Evaluation of Fungicide: Formulation and characterization
- Phytochemical Profiling of Sargassum Macroalgae Extract & In Vitro Biocontrol of Fusarium Wilt Disease in Tomato using Sargassum Extracts
- Determination of Antioxidant and Organoleptic Properties of a Herbal Infusion
- Phytoremediation Potential of Selected Mangrove Species in Mitigating Agricultural Pollutants within Coastal Agroecosystems of Sri Lanka
- Optimization of In Vitro Propagation Protocols for Selected Medicinally Important Plants in Sri Lanka
RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS
JOURNAL ARTICLES
- Botheju, W.S.M., Liyanage, J.A. and Kannangara, S.D.P. The Groundwater Geochemistry and the Human Health Risk Assessment of Drinking Water in an Area with a High Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu), Sri Lanka. Journal of Chemistry. (2021/10) (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/1755140)
- Botheju, W.S.M., Dayananda, M.D.N.R., Perera, W.P.R.T. and Liyanage, J.A. Geo-spatial distribution of hydrological nephrotoxic characteristics in Kalawewa and Tissawewa reservoirs in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. International Journal of Environmental Quality. (2021/09) (DOI: https://10.6092/issn.2281-4485/12298)
- Perera W.P.R.T., Dayananda, M.D.N.R., Dissanayake, D.M.C.U., Rathnasekara, R.A.S.D., Botheju, W.S.M., J.A., Weragoda, S.K., Kularathne, K.A.M. 2021. Risk Assessment of Trace Element Contamination in Drinking Water and Agricultural Soil: A Study in Selected Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu) Endemic Areas in Sri Lanka. Journal of Chemistry. (2021/01) (DOI: https://10.1155/2021/6627254)
- W.P.R.T., Dayananda, M.D.N.R., Botheju, W.S.M., Liyanage, J.A., Ranasinghe, A., Karunarathne, R.H., Kumara, G.W.G.P., 2020, Toxic elements contamination in surface sediments of major tanks in Anuradhapura district; A CKDu endemic district in Sri Lanka. EQA -International Journal of Environmental Quality. (2020/09) ISSN 2281-4485 - Vol. 41 (2021): 40-48 (DOI: https://10.6092/issn.2281-4485/11001)
ABSTRACTS/PROCEEDINGS
- Botheju, W.S.M. Exploring the Therapeutic Potential and Phytochemical Profile of Rhizophora mucronata: A Review Study. International Conference on Mangroves for Sustainability (ICMS). Sri Lanka. 2024
- Botheju, W.S.M. and Liyanage, J.A. Human Health, Environmental Challenges, and Sustainable Development Nexus: Concerns from Sri Lanka. International Conference on Environmental Pollutants and Toxicants Affecting Health: Collaborative Efforts for Improving Quality of Life. Thailand. 2024
- Kumarasinghe, T.N., Dayananda, M.D.N.R., Udahapuvida, B.M.M.S.H.K., and Botheju, W.S.M. Comparative Morphological Characterization of Selected Therapeutic Plant Spices of the Family Zingiberaceae. International Research Symposium on Multidisciplinary Approaches in Indigenous Knowledge Systems. Sri Lanka. 2024
- Botheju, W.S.M., Liyanage, J.A. and Kannagara, S.D.P. Environmental toxicants analysis in reservoir water of Wahalkada Tank, Anuradhapura district in relation to Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown etiology in the North Central Region in Sri Lanka. Research Symposium on Multidisciplinary Approaches in Indigenous Knowledge Systems. Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine, Sri Lanka. 2022
- Karunadasa, H.T.D.R., Botheju, W.S.M. and Liyanage, J.A. A GIS approach to assess the distribution patterns of nephrotoxic constituents in a CKDu prevalent area, Badulla District, Sri Lanka. 2022
- Botheju, W.S.M., Liyanage, J.A. and Kannagara, S.D.P. Influence and Risk Assessment of Exposure to Fluoride on CKDu in Sri Lanka. International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches in Sri Lanka. 2021
- Botheju, W.S.M., Liyanage, J.A. and Kannangara, S.D.P. Daily intake of essential minerals through drinking water in a CKDu prevalence area, Sri Lanka. Research Conference on Health Studies – University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. 2021
- Karunadasa, H.T.D.R., Botheju, W.S.M., Dayanada, M.D.N.R., Perera, W.P.R.T. and Liyanage, J.A. Assessment of Health Risk Assessment Using the Daily Intake of Nephrotoxic Trace Metals via Drinking Water: A Case Study in Rideemaliyadda-South, CKDu Endemic Area, Sri Lanka. 4th Research Symposium of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. 2021
- Karunadasa, H.T.D.R., Botheju, W.S.M. and Liyanage, J.A. An indexical evaluation of heavy metal pollution in drinking water in Rideemaliyadda- South village, a CKDu hotspot of Sri Lanka. Young Scientists’ Conference on Multidisciplinary Research 2021.
- Botheju, W.S.M., Liyanage, J.A. Geochemical background determination using the geo accumulation index and spatial distribution of heavy metals in sediments of Ulhitiya Reservoir, Sri Lanka. Annual Sessions of the Institute of Biology (IOB 2020). 2020
- Botheju, W.S.M. and Liyanage, J.A. Determination of water quality and suitability in a Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) prevalence area, Sri Lanka. The international conference 'Frontiers in Chemical Technology 2020 (FCT-2020)'. 2020.
- Perera, W.P.R.T., Botheju, W.S.M., Dayananda, M.D.N.R. and Liyanage, J.A., Risk Assessment of Exposure to Toxic Metals via Drinking Water: a study in Some CKDu Endemic Areas, Sri Lanka. The International Conference in Environmental Monitoring and Management (EMM 2020). Centre of Environmental Studies, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. 2020.
- Perera, W.P.R.T., Dayananda, M.D.N.R., Botheju, W.S.M. and Liyanage, J.A., Effect of fertilizer application to the agricultural soil and the determination of soil to plant transfer coefficients of selected elements. The international conference 'Frontiers in Chemical Technology 2020 (FCT- 2020)'. 2020.
- Perera, W.P.R.T., Dayananda, M.D.N.R., Botheju, W.S.M. and Liyanage, J.A., Is the long-term exposure to trace elements and fluoride the main factor for the prevalence of CKDu? 7th Ruhuna International Science & Technology Conference-2020. 2020.
- , W.S.M., Liyanage., J.A. The role of fluoride, cadmium, and water hardness in drinking water: A critical study of potential factors of Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) in a prevalence area, Sri Lanka. The 20th International Postgraduate Research Conference (IPRC- 2019). 2019.
- Botheju, W.S.M., Dayananda, M.D.N.R., W.P.R.T. Perera, and Liyanage, J.A., Investigation of Spatial Distribution Patterns of Environmental Toxicants in Major Reservoirs, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. 24th International Forestry and Environment Symposium. 2019.
- Dayananda, M.D.N.R., Botheju, W.S.M. and Liyanage, J.A., Spatial Distribution of Nephrotoxic Heavy Metals in CKDu Prevalence Areas via Water Analysis, Sri Lanka. 24th International Forestry and Environmental Symposium. 2019.
- Perera, W.P.R.T., Dayananda, M.D.N.R., Botheju, W.S.M. and Liyanage, J.A., Assessment of groundwater contamination with environmental toxicants in CKDu endemic area, Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. 4th International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. 2019.
- Dayananda, M.D.N.R., Botheju, W.S.M.,P.R.T. Perera, and Liyanage, J.A., Investigation of spatial distribution of fluoride in drinking water sources in CKDu prevalence areas in Sri Lanka using GIS. 4th International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. 2019.
- Perera, W.P.R.T., Dayananda, M.D.N.R., Botheju, W.S.M. and Liyanage, J.A., Contribution of contaminated sediments in irrigatory tanks to CKDu prevalence; a study in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. The International Conference on Biodiversity and Environmental Management 2019 (BEM’19). 2019.
- Botheju, W.S.M., Hewavitharane, N., Kannangara, S. D. P., Abeywickrama, Formulation and stabilization of Trichoderma spp. in selected carrier materials. In Proceedings of the International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences (IRSPAS 2017), Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. 2017.
BOOK CHAPTERS
BOOK CHAPTERS
- J., Botheju, S. and Dayananda, N.R. Coastal and Marine Pollution from Agricultural Activities: Fertilizers and Pesticides. 2025. Wiley Publishers. In Book: Coastal and Marine Pollution. (DOI: https://10.1002/9781394237029.ch5)
- Dayananda, N.R., Wijesinghe, J., Botheju, S., Perera, W.P.R.T., and Liyanage, J. Ocean Warming, Acidification, Plastic Pollution, and Water Quality Deterioration: A multifaceted Crisis Unveiled. 2025. Wiley Publishers. In Book: Coastal and Marine Pollution. (DOI: https://10.1002/9781394237029.ch6)
- J., Botheju, W.S.M., Nallaperuma, B. and Kanuwana. N. Organic Farming: The Influence on Soil Health. 2023. Springer Publications. In Book: One Health. (DOI: https://10.1002/9781119867333.ch14)
