Hello! My name is Pasindu Sankalpa, and I am an international student from Sri Lanka. In Fall 2025, I joined the NIRDS Lab (Neuro-Information Retrieval and Data Science Lab) in WS-DL (Web Science and Digital Libraries Research Group) at Old Dominion University as a PhD student under the supervision of Dr. Sampath Jayarathna.
In December 2024, I graduated with a B.Sc. Engineering (Hons) degree in Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering from the University of Moratuwa, earning First-Class Honors.
During my undergraduate studies, my final-year research project focused on “Deep Learning–based Drone Classification by Utilizing Radar Cross Section Signatures”, supervised by Dr. Sampath Perera. This work addressed the limitations of traditional drone detection techniques by proposing a multi-modal deep learning approach for real-time detection and classification. This paper has been submitted for publication.
Alongside academics, I also gained valuable professional experience in the tech industry. I began my career as an Intern Software Engineer at Axiata Digital Labs (Jan 2023 – July 2023), where I worked in an R&D team of the Telco department. My contributions involved developing tools for digital banking e-KYC (Know Your Customer) solutions with video conferencing and messaging capabilities.
After completing my degree, I returned to Axiata Digital Labs as a Software Engineer (June 2024 – August 2025). There, I worked as a Backend Software Developer in the Telco department, focusing on the SmartNas mobile application (Android/iOS). This app is the flagship digital platform of Smart Axiata, Cambodia’s leading telecommunications operator.
By the time I embarked on my PhD journey, I had gained over one year of industry experience, working with state-of-the-art technologies on impactful, industry-driven projects. I am proficient in multiple programming languages, including Python, Java, C++, NodeJS, HTML, CSS, and PHP, as well as frameworks such as Spring Boot and Laravel. My research interests are Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Data Science etc.
Joining ODU and becoming a part of the WS-DL research community is a privilege. The opportunity to learn and grow in such a cutting-edge environment, surrounded by inspiring faculty and peers, excites me greatly. I look forward to contributing to innovative research and sharing my journey along the way.
Even before I arrived, I received a lot of help, especially from Dr. Bhanuka Mahanama in setting up and preparing everything. And now, even though I just got here, I’ve already had the opportunity to meet so many amazing people.
I may not yet know where the road after my PhD will take me, but one thing is certain, I want to do work that leaves a mark, and I want the world to remember my name.
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog post and get to know more about me. I’m looking forward to working, collaborating, and sharing knowledge with all of you throughout this journey.
Thank you!
-- Pasindu Thenahandi --
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