Academic and Professional Qualifications
HIGHER EDUCATION
2016-2018
MSc in Plant Protection Technology, Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka.
Directed (Research) study: Nanoclay encapsulated antimicrobial formulations with sustained release properties to control soil borne plant pathogens.
2008- 2012
BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Technology and Management, University of Peradeniya,Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka.
Dissertation: Biological and molecular characterization of virus causing beanyellowing disease in Sri Lanka.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS IN HIGHER EDUCATION
2023-Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education (CTHE) with Staff and Educational Development Association of the United Kingdom (SEDA-UK) accreditation, University of Colombo.
2022-Certificate in Leading and Managing Universities (CLMU), University of Peradeniya.
APPOINTMENTS
2023 Onwards-Department Representative/Member, Faculty Committee for Enhancing the Employability and Productivity of Agriculture Professionals (EEP)
2022 Onwards-Coordinator of Student Engagements, Faculty of Agriculture
2022 Onwards-Academic Advisor, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya
2023 Onwards-Voluntary Student Counselor, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya
2023 Member, Faculty task force for investigating underlying causes of paddy diseases.
2023 Member, Time table committee, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya
2022 Coordinator of In-Plant Training, Dept. of Agric. Biology, Faculty of Agriculture
2023 Reviewer: Young Scientist’s Forum Symposium, National Science and Technology Commission.
2023 Treasurer: Felicitation Event, Faculty of Agriculture, UoP 6 th December, 2022
2022 Organizing Committee: Faculty of Faculty of Agriculture Undergraduate Research Symposium, 28 th December 2022, Faculty of Agriculture, UoP
2016 Organizing Committee: Faculty of Agriculture Undergraduate Research Symposium, 16 th December 2016, Faculty of Agriculture, UoP
2016 Organizing Committee: Annual Congress, Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, 17 th -18 th November 2016, Plant Genetic Resources Centre, Gannoruwa, Peradeniya
2016 Technical Program Committee: 26 th Asian Economic Symposium, 20 th August 2016, International Research Centre, UoP
2016 Organizing Committee: Sri Lanka Forum of University Economists, 24 th June 2016, Faculty of Agriculture UoP
2016 Organizing Committee: Workshop on Fertilizer Policy in South Asia: A comparative assessment and lessons learned, 26 th – 27 th July, 2016, Royal Kandyan Hotel, Kandy
2015 Organizing Committee: 9 th Annual Research Forum, Sri Lanka Agricultural Economics Association. 26 th -27 th November, 2015. Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya
PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT
2020-2022 Visiting Lecturer, Faculty of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.
2019-2021 Visiting Lecturer, University of Vocational Technology, University College, Kuliyapitiya, Sri Lanka.
2019 onwards Academic Consultant, Joseph Vaz institute For Higher Education & Vocational Training, Kurunegala, Sri Lanka.
2018-2020 Visiting Lecturer, Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education
2015–2022 Temporary Lecturer, Agribusiness Centre, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
2018-2019 Program Evaluation Consultant (Agriculture/ Environment): World Vision Sri Lanka
2013-2015 Design Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator: World Vision Sri Lanka
Jan-Mar, 2013 Research Assistant: School of Computing, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
Nov–Dec, 2012 Research Assistant: Department of Agricultural Economics and Business Management, Faculty of Agriculture, UoP, Sri Lanka
PUBLICATIONS
Peer Reviewed Journal Articles
Ryan Rienzie, Lasantha Sendanayake, Devika De Costa, Akbar Hossain, Marian Brestic, Milan Skalicky, Pavla Vachová and Nadeesh M. Adassooriya (2021). Assessing the Carboxymethylcellulose Copper-Montmorillonite Nanocomposite for Controlling the Infection of Erwinia carotovoara in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). Nanomaterials, 11(3):283 (IF 4.034).
Ryan Rienzie, W.A.R.T. Wickramaarachchi and D.M. De Costa (2020). Transmission and host range of horsegram yellow mosaic virus (HgYMV) causing common bean yellowing disease in Sri Lanka. Journal of National Science Foundation 48 (1): 81-92.
W.A. Welideniya, K.D.R.C. Rienzie, W.A.R.T. Wickramaarachchi and A.G.B. Aruggoda (2019). Characterization of fungal pathogens causing anthracnose and their seed borne nature in banana pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Ceylon Journal of Science-Biological Science 48 (3):131-139.
R. Rienzie, W.A.R.T. Wickramaarachchi and D.M. De Costa (2016). Molecular detection and characterization of begomovirus causing bean yellowing disease in Sri Lanka. Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka 44(3): 249-255.
Book chapters
Ryan Rienzie and Wikum H. Jayasinghe (2023). Taxonomy of Family Metaviridae. In Taxonomy of Plant Viruses. Eds. K.S. Sastry and M.N. Gauda. Springer Nature (accepted).
Ryan Rienzie and Wikum H. Jayasinghe (2023). Taxonomy of Family Pseudoviridae. In Taxonomy of Plant Viruses. Eds. K.S. Sastry and M.N. Gauda. Springer Nature (accepted).
Nadun H. Madanayake, Ryan Rienzie, Nadeesh M. Adassooriya (2023). Chapter 8 - Electron microscopic methods for virus diagnosis. In Amal Kumar Dhara and Amit Kumar Nayak (Eds.). Viral Infections and Antiviral Therapies, Academic Press. Pp 121-140 (ISBN 9780323918145) https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91814-5.00008-8
Ryan Rienzie and Nadeesh Adassooriya (2021). Toxicological concerns of nanomaterials used in agriculture in Nanotechnology. In Plant Growth Promotion and Plant Protection. (Ed.) A.P. Ingle. John Wiley and Sons. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119745884.ch15
U. Dissanayake, R. Rienzie, N. Kuruppuarachchi, P. Gunaratne S. Premalal, D. Wickramasinghe, A. Jayasinghe, and V. Hettige (2021). An Agro-met Advisory System to Reduce the Climate Change Risks and Enhance Disaster Risk Resilience of Farmers in Dry and Intermediate Zones of Sri Lanka. In Amaratunga D., Haigh R., Dias N. (Eds.) Multi-hazard Early Warning and Disaster Risks. Springer https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-73003-1_38
R. Rienzie (2018). Biosafety Education in the State Universities of Sri Lanka, Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, Sri Lanka. An extended trilingual article in a book published by the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (English: Pp15-18, Sinhalese: Pp 33-36, Tamil: Pp 54-58).
Ryan Rienzie, A.T.D. Perera and Nadeesh M. Adassooriya (2019). Biorecovery of precious metals from e-waste, in Electronic Waste Management and Treatment Technology M.N.V. Prasad and Meththika Vithanage (Eds.). Elsevier USA. Pp 133-152. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-816190-6.00006-6
Ryan Rienzie and Nadeesh M. Adassooriya (2018). Toxicity of Nanomaterials in Agriculture and Food, in Nanomaterials: Ecotoxicity, Safety, and Public Perception, Mahendra Rai and Jayanta Kumar Biswas (Eds.) Springer Nature Switzerland: Pp: 207-234 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05144-0_11
Ryan Rienzie, Sammani Ramanayaka and Nadeesh M. Adassooriya (2019). Nanotechnology applications for removal of environmental contaminants from pharmaceutical and personal care products in Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products Waste Management and Treatment Technology, M.N.V. Prasad (Ed). Elsevier USA: Pp: 279-296 https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-816189-0.00012-3
Sathika G.G. Arachchige, Ryan Rienzie and Nadeesh M. Adassooriya (2019). Nanocarrier mediated drug delivery systems for neurodegenerative diseases in Nanobiotechnology in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Mahendra Rai, and Alka Yadav (Eds.), Springer Nature Switzerland, Pp: 267-287 https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-30930-5
Nadun H. Madanayaka, Ryan Rienzie, Nadeesh M. Adassooriya (2019). Nanoparticles in nanotheranostics applications in Nanotheranostics : Applications and Limitations. Mahendra Rai and Bushra Jamil (Eds.), Springer Verlag Germany Pp: 19-40 https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007%2F978-3-030-29768-8
Nadun H. Madanayaka, Ryan Rienzie, Nadeesh M. Adassooriya (2020). Nanotechnology applications for removal of disinfection by-products (DBPs) from water in Disinfection Byproducts [DBP] M.N.V. Prasad and P. Singh (Eds.), Elsevier (Butterworth-Heinemann), 2019 (In press). https://www.elsevier.com/books/disinfection-byproducts-in-drinking-water/prasad/978-0-08-102977-0
Conference proceedings/ Presentations (foreign and local)
Darsha Perera, Ovini Hewage, Ryan Rienzie, Nadeesh Adassooriya and Devika De Costa (2024). Potential of pathogen-derived immunity inducers to manage southern blight caused by Sclerotium rolfsii in selected horticultural crop species as a greener approach of disease management. 28th International Forestry and Environment Symposium, 5th January 2024, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.
U. Dissanayake, S. Premalal, D. Wickramasinghe, P. Gunaratne, A. Jayasinghe, R. Rienzie, N. Kuruppuarachchi and V. Hettige (2020). Decision support weather advisory system for Dry Zone farmers in Sri Lanka. International Symposium on Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Disaster Risk Reduction. 16-18 March, Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
KANL Kuruppuarachchi, LHP Gunaratne and R. Rienzie (2019). Marketing strategies to increase utilization of products at the BFN sites. Symposium on agrobiodiversity for climate change adaptation, food and nutrition, Plant Genetic Resources Center, Gannoruwa, Peradeniya, 25th and 26th April 2019.
R. Rienzie, LHP Gunaratne, RHG Ranil, KANL Kuruppuarachchi (2019). Development of a participatory guarantee system for small scale biodiversity to support food and nutrition crop producers. Symposium on agrobiodiversity for climate change adaptation, food and nutrition, Plant Genetic Resources Center, Gannoruwa, Peradeniya, 25th and 26th April 2019.
Ryan Rienzie, Nadeesh Madusanka and Devika de Costa (2017). In-vitro antimicrobial properties of carboxymethylcellulose spray coated copper-montmorillonite nanocomposites. 10th International Conference on Agriculture and Horticulture, London, United Kingdom, 2-4 Oct, 2017.
Ryan Rienzie, Nadeesh Madusanka and Devika de Costa (2017). Metalaxyl intercalated-montmorillonite nanocomposites for controlling soil borne plant pathogens. International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 14-15 December 2017.
Ryan Rienzie, Nadeesh Madusanka and Devika de Costa (2017). Thiram intercalated/surface adsorbed montmorillonite nanocomposites for controlling soil borne plant pathogenic fungi. Peradeniya University International Research Sessions, 24 Nov 2017.
Rienzie KDRC, Wickramaarachchi WART and Costa DM de (2017). Partial molecular characterization and transmission of Horsegram yellow mosaic virus causing soybean yellowing disease, 6th Young Scientists’ Forum, National Science and Technology Commission, Sri Lanka (ext. abst) Pp. 102-106.
Gunaratne LHP and Rienzie KDRC (2016). Views of farmers and grass root level government officers on the present fertilizer subsidy program in Sri Lanka. Workshop on fertilizer policy in South Asia: A comparative assessment and lessons learned, 26th–27th July 2016, Royal Kandyan Hotel. Kandy (Invited presentation) http://agri.pdn.ac.lk/centers%20&%20units/ABC/images/News/FP_South_Asia/8.pdf (Findings were published in Sunday Observer, 07th August 2016 “Farmer woes still awaiting fertilizer grant, water; Going against the grain; University study reveals crisis looming” by Rukshana Rizwie).
Rienzie R. and Herath V. (2016). Homology modeling and validation of replication associated protein (Rep) of Sri Lankan cassava mosaic virus (SLCMV). International conference on multidisciplinary approaches, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.
Rienzie KDRC, Wickramaarachchi WART, and Costa DM de (2013). Transmission studies and molecular characterization of the virus causing bean yellowing disease in Sri Lanka., Peradeniya University Research Sessions.
Rienzie KDRC, Wickramaarachchi WART and Costa DM de (2012). Biological and molecular characterization of virus causing bean yellowing disease in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the annual student research sessions. Department of Agricultural Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya. Pp.123-126.
Books (International)
Nadeesh M. Adassooriya, Ryan Rienzie, Nadun H. Madanayake (2023). Nanoscale Technologies in Plant Sciences Principles and Applications CRC Press. ISBN 978-103-238-792-5.
Books and documentaries (Local)
A web based guide for mushroom growers (2022). A Sinhalese publication by the Agribusiness Center, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Eds. L.H.P. Gunaratne, Ryan Rienzie and K.P. Samarasinghe (Eds.).
Marketing of Agrobiodiversity Crops and Products (2019). A Sinhalese publication by the Agribusiness Center, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Eds. LHP Gunaratne, S. Seneviratne (Eds.), R. Rienzie, N. Kuruppuarachchi (Ass. Eds.) ISBN 978-955-589-278-0.
Rice Fortification: A Study to assess its Acceptability, Production and Utilization in Sri Lanka (2019): A Narrative Report produced by Agribusiness Centre,University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka and World Food Programme of Sri Lanka ISBN 978-955-589-277-3.
Bio fertilizers for sustainable farming (2016). Sinhalese extension video documentary, (HETC/QIGW4 project), Agribusiness Centre, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400. Served as the Assistant Director of the documentary ISBN 978-955-589-279-7.
Other publications (extension papers/ magazine articles etc.)
Nanotechnology: For Agricultural Sustainability and increasing the productivity of food production industry. A Sinhalese article published in the "Govijanatha" magazine of the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Training and Research Institute, Colombo.
Bio fertilizers (2016) (Sinhalese extension brochure; HETC/QIGW4 project), Agribusiness Centre, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya.
Rienzie, K.D.R.C. and Peiris, S.E. (2012). How to present your products? From customer point of view. Garden Living. Volume 10, Pp. 56-57.
Presentations (authored/ conducted) at various national level programs/ workshop
Gunaratne LHP and Rienzie K.D.R.C. (2015). “Biofertillizers and ecological agriculture”. Workshop on promoting ecofriendly practices among farmers in Sri Lanka for middle level government Agrarian and Extension Officers. 7th October 2015, University of Peradeniya.
Gunaratne LHP and Rienzie K.D.R.C. (2015). “Biofertilizers for greenhouse applications”. Farmer awareness workshop on new fertilizer mixtures for protected agriculture, 11th March 2015, University of Peradeniya.
MEMBERSHIPS
Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka (M.I.Biol)
Soil Science Society of Sri Lanka\
Association of the Applied Biologists, United Kingdom (Former)
OTHER CREDENTIALS
SPECIAL TRAININGS/ CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS ATTENDED
22nd July 2022 Procurement Workshop for Researchers, University Research Council, UoP
20-21 April 2022 Developing E-Learning modules in Moodle LMS, organized under the AHEAD-ELTA-ELSE Project, Faculty of Agriculture,University of Peradeniya.
07th June 2023 Workshop on Leadership Excellence and the Soft Skills, Staff Development Centre, University of Colombo
2nd Dec 2022 Academic Advisor Training Session 02”, Student Advisory, Welfare and Grievance Committee, Faculty of Agriculture, UoP
22nd Jul 2022 Procurement Workshop for Researchers”, University Research Council, UoP
30th Sep 2017 Conference on Materials Chemistry, University of Cambridge
15th Sep-20th Oct 2017 Training on applications of solid-state characterization techniques (PXRD, TGA, DSC, FTIR and Microscopy) Dept. of Chemistry, University of Cambridge
4-5th Sep, 2015 Short Course on PCR based DNA Fingerprinting Data Analysis, UoP
Jul, 2014 Seminar on Research Methods: Institute of Applied Statistics, Sri Lanka
29th Jun – 3rd Jul, 2012 Short Course on Research Design for Field Biologists, UoP
May, 2012 Short Course on ISO and Environmental Management Systems, UoP
Aug, 2012 Short Course on Environmental Monitoring, UoP
Oct – Dec, 2012 Practical Training Program on Mushroom Production: Horticultural Crop Research and Development Institute, Sri Lanka
May-Aug, 2012 Certificate Course on Human Rights, UoP
Oct – Dec, 2010 Certificate Course on Environmental Awareness, UoP
ACADEMIC DISTINCTIONS & AWARDS
2017 Postgraduate Research Visitorship: Awarded by the Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, UK
Research Project: Agrochemical cocrystal formulations with controlled release properties. Supervisors; Prof. W. Jones and Dr. N.M. Adassooriya.
Merit Presenter: Young Scientists’ Forum, National Science and Technology Commission, 20 th Jan. 2017, UoP
