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Position: Assistant Professor
Field: Computational Materials Physics
Degree: PhD, 2005, University of Oklahoma
At SIUC Since: 2011
Contact Information:
Phone: 618-453-1055 (Office)
Fax: 618-453-1056
Email: thushari@siu.edu
Address: Mail Code 4401
Neckers Room 487
1245 Lincoln Dr
Carbondale IL, 62901 USA
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Office Hours:
MWF 11.00 am - 1.00 pm(Fall 2017)
Teaching: PHYS 425 (Introduction to Solid State Physics)
Fall 2017
Career History: Dr. Jayasekera joined
the Department in the Fall of 2011. She graduated with a
Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma,
with Prof.
Kieran Mullen and Prof.
Michael A. Morrison. She did her
postdoctoral work with Prof. J. W.
Mintmire at Oklahoma State University, and with Prof. M. Boungiorno Nardelli
and Prof.
K. W. Kim at North Carolina State University.
Research: Dr. Jayasekera's research
expertise/interests are in engineering electron structure,
electron transport and heat transport in low-dimensional
nanostructures for device applications. Most of her recent
work are based on ab-initio calculations. Her current/recent
work involves electronic band engineering of 2D Materials.
Visit the research
page for more details.
Teaching: Her teaching materials are
maintained in a webpage "Physics
and Fun with Clicks". This page is frequently updated as
she develops new materials.
Quick
Flash-Back: Read the hidden text, if
you are Curious !!! Show/Hide
One summer night, when I was living
in Stillwater, Oklahoma, my mind started flashing back in
time with a pen in hand; This happens rarely: though my
mind frequently flashes back in time, my pen does not move
as my mind roams around. Here I am sharing my thoughts from Summer of 2006.
I was born and brought up in a small village in Sri Lanka, a
beautiful island in the Indian Ocean. My father used to
teach at high school and my mother took care of us. I have
two brothers. My grand parents were with us and passed away
several years back. You know... When you move with grand
parents, so many rules. my grand mother was very nice but,
she was very strict. My grand father was one of the nicest
individuals I have seen ever.
I can't believe that my parents are now grand parents of
three little ones. I have two beautiful nieces and two cute
nephews. (Sounds like I cant count... Not really, one nephew
is from my cousin sis...)
Thanks to the free education system in Sri Lanka, I had my
education all for free until I graudate with my first
degree. I had my primary education in a high school in the
nearby village: Batepola Maha Vidyalaya, which is around 20
minuites walk from my home. We, a bunch of kids used to walk
this distance with a lots of fun. Absolutely a wonderful
time!!! After 4 years, I entered to Gothamy Primary School,
Gampaha, one of the best primary schools in the island. I
was there until I was selected to enter Devi Balika
Vidyalaya, Colombo, one of the top girl's schools in the
nation.
I always liked mathematics. But I was never studious. In Sri
Lanka, it was not easy to enter the university. Due to the
limited faciliteis, university entrance exams were very
competitive. Thanks to my family, teachers and friends (they
did encourage me), I managed to enter to study fundamental
sciences in University of Peradeniya. This is a wonderful
place...for studies and also for fun!!!
I really like Physics and Chemistry both. I enjoyed learning
both the subjects at the University. My brother made me
moving more towards Physics. I fell in love with Physics
since then... I won several awards. Remarkable!!!!!, That
was the first time I managed to be the first where I was
awarded with the Appapillai Prize. I graduated with a first
class honors.... I was so happy, My family and every one
close to me were so proud of me. I chose to come over seas
to continue my education. I enterd OU in the Fall of 1999.
There I became the outstanding first year graduate student
and was awarded with Lin Fellowship. (Yeh... I was again
first....)I won several other awards as well. To learn about
my academic side at OU, please visit my research page. I
defended my Ph.D in 2005 September.
After my graduation, here I am now... working as a postdoc
in the Oklahoma State University. Almost always, you can
find me staring at the computer or reading
books.....................
No No...Not always...I do enjoy a lot. I like traveling
(especially road trips), spending time with my friends and
my family, chit-chatting with people (a lot), watching TV
.... I also do enjoy driving. (Surprising aha for all those
who know how I learnt). Please visit my photo album page to
read about my traveling............. If you are Curious
!!!....
Thanks for being curious and reading my thoughts...
