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Biography

Dr. Nuwan Perera, originally from Sri Lanka, earned his B.Sc. degree from the University of Kelaniya in 2006. He then moved to the United States to pursue graduate studies, obtaining a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Oklahoma State University. His doctoral research focused on forensic analysis of automotive paint using vibrational spectroscopy and chemometrics. Notably, he developed infrared (IR) search prefilters based on IR transmission spectra from the PDQ library, transforming them into ATR spectra through an ATR simulation algorithm. This innovation enabled the identification of the assembly plant of a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run accident by analyzing the ATR spectrum of its clear coat paint smear. Additionally, he investigated the application of water-rich mobile phases in High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).<br>After completing his Ph.D., Dr. Perera continued at Oklahoma State University as a Postdoctoral Fellow, conducting research on transmission and infrared spectroscopic imaging. His work included applying multivariate curve resolution (MCR) to IR imaging data for forensic examination of automotive paints.<br>Following his postdoctoral studies Dr. Nuwan Perera joined Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵin the fall of 2017.

Education

• Ph D, Oklahoma State University Stillwater
• BS, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

Teaching Interests

As a faculty in the Department Chemistry and Physics and the Forensic Science program at WCU, Dr. Perera teaches variety of classes in the fields of Forensics and Chemistry. He routinely teaches Forensic Chemistry lecture and laboratory classes (his favorite) and lower level general chemistry classes including General Chemistry I and II. He occasionally teaches Physical Methods in Forensic science, Instrumental Analysis Laboratory, Organic Chemistry Laboratory, and Forensic Seminar classes.

Research Interests

Dr. Perera’s research focuses on spectrochemical and chromatographic analysis applied to problems in forensic and analytical chemistry. His projects include, investigation of the effect of weathering of automotive clearcoats on forensic paint examination using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), analysis of human decomposition odor using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and use of water rich mobile phases in HPLC for the analysis of drugs of abuse and consumer products.