Gothamie Weerakoon

Gothamie Weerakoon (Sinhala: ගෝතමී වීරකෝන්) is a Sri Lankan-based botanist, lichenologist and environmentalist.[1]

Gothamie Weerakoon
Born1973
Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationBsc Biology
MSc Environmental Science
PhD Lichenology
Alma materDevi Balika Vidyalaya
University of Colombo
Sri Jayawardenepura University
OccupationBotanist, Environmentalist, Lichenologist
OrganizationThe Natural History Museum
Known forDiscovery of lichens
AwardsAnnual Grantee Award from National Geographic Society

Early life and education

After completing her primary education at the Devi Balika Vidyalaya in Colombo, she attended the University of Colombo, completing her PhD[2] in 2013 at the Sri Jayawardenepura University. She emerged as the most active Sri Lankan lichen researcher.[3]

Career

She has conducted research on South Asian lichens, discovering over 100 new species endemic to Sri Lanka.[4][5] Some of the species she has discovered include Heterodermia queesnberryi and Polymeridium fernandoi. In 2015, she wrote Fascinating Lichens of Sri Lanka, which provides facts about lichen species endemic to Sri Lanka.[6] She currently works as the senior curator of Lichens and Slime Moulds at the Natural History Museum of London and also with tea brand, Dilmah.[7]

Awards and recognition

She is the first South Asian woman scientist to hold the Annual Grantee award from the National Geographic Society.[8]

References
  1. "Lichens As A Key To The Future, And One Scientist's Quest To Study Them". roar.media. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  2. "Growing passion for lichens Dr. Gothamie Weerakoon Kumudini Hettiarachchi". www.pressreader.com. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  3. "Gothamie Weerakoon and her discovery on lichens". island.lk. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  4. "Environmentalist discovers 51 species of Lichen". Newsfirst.lk. 8 December 2013. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  5. "The fascinating world of the lichens". Ceylontoday. 22 March 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  6. "A new species of lichen named after Dilmah Founder | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  7. "Dr Gothamie Weerakoon | Natural History Museum". staging.nhm.ac.uk. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  8. Society, National Geographic. "Learn more about Gothamie S. Weerakoon". es.education.nationalgeographic.com. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
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