This panel discussion, organized by the Member Service Committee of the Colombo University Faculty of Science Alumni Association (CUFSAA), explores how meaningful conversations shape career trajectories for students and career professionals. The session focuses on five themes—Journeys, Networking, Mentorship, Skills, and Industry Insights—highlighting how relationships open doors to opportunities that cannot be seen in advance. Panelists will share personal career paths, practical networking strategies, the role of mentors and sponsors, and how industry and academic environments value connection-building. The program includes an interactive activity on mapping one’s network, examples of effective outreach messages, and guidance on where students can begin engaging with professional communities. Designed to be conversational and actionable, the event aims to equip participants with tangible steps to build authentic relationships that support long-term career growth.
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Topic: Professional Development Series #1: Your Career Starts with One Conversation When: June 03, 2026 Time: 9:00 PM EST Join the Discussion via Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89198395267?pwd=oBHOaOxpNEGP1dEBsyy5nIpcr1DdcY.1 Meeting ID: 891 9839 5267 Passcode: 058706
Topic – Your Career Starts With One Conversation
- 5 Themes: Journeys, Networking, Mentorship, Skills, Industry
Panelists:
- Randara Pulukkody
Randara Pulukkody, PhD., is a Senior R&D Leader within the Dow Industrial Solutions business, leading a team of scientists dedicated to the development of next generation chemistry solutions for cleaning and pharmaceutical market segments. Randara joined Dow in 2015, having completed her PhD in Chemistry at Texas A&M University, under the supervision of Professor Marcetta Darensbourg. Her thesis research work focused on the synthesis and reactivity studies of biomimetic inorganic molecules. Randara began her Dow career as a polymer synthesis scientist, and over the years grew experience across the synthesis and formulation/ application development workflow. Her technical contribution at Dow has special emphasis on the design and development of sustainable materials for household detergent formulations. Randara has authored 8 granted patents and 27 priority patent applications during her time at Dow. In her current role, she has day‑to‑day management responsibility for a 14‑member, multi‑site team spanning Collegeville, PA, Midland, MI, along with technical leadership for the global cleaning portfolio. Randara has been active member/ site implementation leader of several Dow Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and enjoys engaging in community outreach activities.
- Harshica Fernando
Harshica Fernando, PhD., is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX. She lives in Houston, TX. Harshica graduated from The University of Colombo with a Bachelor of Science, in Chemistry Special (First class) in 1991. She received her Ph.D in 1998 in biophysical chemistry from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL. Upon completion of the Ph.D. she returned to University of Colombo, Sri Lanka and served as a senior lecturer until 2003. Her postdoctoral training was at University of Texas Medical branch in Galveston, TX and was a research scientist at UTMB before joining PVAMU. Harshica has been working with Prairie View A&M University since 2017. Her research interests are on alcohol and non-alcohol induced fatty liver disease, environmental toxicology and computational chemistry.
- Chryshanie Fernandopulle
Chryshanie Fernandopulle, is an Executive Director at Morgan Stanley in New York, where she heads Americas Index Strategy within the Institutional Equity Division. She joined the firm in 2014. Prior to Morgan Stanley, Chryshanie was a Quantitative Analyst at Moody’s Analytics Knowledge Services (formerly Amba Research) in Colombo, Sri Lanka. She holds an MSc in Financial Engineering from Columbia University, New York and a BSc in Statistics with First Class Honors from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Chryshanie is passionate about mentoring and actively supports early-career professionals exploring careers in finance, previously serving on the committee of the Colombo University Faculty of Science Alumni Association (CUFSAA) of North America.
- Kushan Gunawardena
Kushan Gunawardena, PhD., is an Associate Director of Translational Medicine at Mineralys Therapeutics, where he leads biomarker and translational strategies for cardio-renal-metabolic programs across clinical development. He received his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from Texas A&M University and completed his postdoctoral training at Yale School of Medicine, focusing on cardiovascular disease biology. He has extensive experience in designing and executing biomarker strategies from IND-enabling studies through first-in-human and later-stage clinical trials. Prior to joining Mineralys, he held a translational research leadership role at Bristol Myers Squibb, supporting multiple therapeutic modalities including small molecules, biologics, and gene-targeting approaches. His work focuses on integrating biomarker data with clinical insights to support target engagement, pharmacodynamics, dose selection, and precision medicine approaches for patient stratification and responder identification. His research interests include biomarker-driven drug development and translational approaches in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. He has contributed to multiple peer-reviewed publications and continues to collaborate across academic and industry settings.
Facilitator: Binodh DeSilva
Binodh DeSilva, PhD., is a highly respected senior executive with over three decades of leadership in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. As Senior Vice President of Bioanalytical and Biomarker Development at Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, she drives translational science strategies that accelerate regulatory pathways and enable the development of transformative therapies, including gene therapies for rare diseases.
Her career spans pivotal roles at Procter & Gamble, Amgen, and Bristol Myers Squibb, where she led global teams, steered complex integrations, and restructured high-risk centralized functions into high-performing, scalable models across the U.S. and India. Her strategic insights have consistently delivered operational excellence, budget neutrality, and portfolio diversification.
Dr. DeSilva is a recognized thought leader in bioanalytical sciences, with contributions that have influenced FDA guidance and elevated industry standards. She serves on multiple scientific advisory boards and corporate governance committees, and her commitment to mentorship and innovation has shaped the careers of countless scientists.
Summary of the Networking Panel Discussion – Your Career Starts with One Conversation
The panelists: Dr. Randara Pulukkody, Dr. Kushan Gunawadane, Ms. Chryshanie Fernandopulle, and Dr. Hashica Fernando.
Facilitator: Dr. Binodh DeSilva
The panel discussion was structured around five themes.
- Individual Panelists career journeys
- Networking basics
- Mentorship and sponsorship
- Sharpening skills
- Insights from industry and academia
Networking Basics
They discussed tips for navigating networking fears, building authentic relationships, and the importance of mentorship in career development. The panelists emphasized the value of volunteering, asking how to be helpful, and maintaining genuine connections in their networking approaches.
Mentorship
It was clarified that mentorship can take many forms, from traditional supervisors in academia to career coaches in the industry. The panelists discussed the importance of networking and mentoring in both academic and professional career development. Personal stories where mentors helped one panelist navigate a difficult work situation and transition to a new role, while another emphasized that mentors can emerge from authentic friendships rather than formal programs.
Sharpening Skills
The discussion covered how networking helps with skill development and career transitions, with examples of using conference connections and professional networks to find opportunities. The panelists also addressed how AI can enhance networking efforts by helping prepare for meetings, interviews, and research topics, and they highlighted the importance of building relationships early in one’s career rather than waiting until graduation.
Graduate Career Development Strategies
The meeting focused on career development and networking strategies for graduate students. Panelists discussed the importance of upskilling in AI and digital skills while maintaining technical expertise, emphasizing that companies will look for candidates with both strong technical skills and relevant digital capabilities. The discussion covered practical networking strategies, including informational interviews, maintaining professional online presence, and building connections through purposeful interactions like sharing research papers.
Panelists also addressed career transitions, confirming that analytical PhDs are valued in quantitative finance, and shared insights about handling tough supervisors and building professional credentials starting in the fourth year of graduate studies.