Dr. Rubasinghege is committed to building and maintaining a diverse research team. His aim is to assist each team member in developing a strong research foundation so that each individual’s challenges are a result of their scientific ability rather than their gender, race, or disabilities.  We believe in the importance of developing creativity, critical thinking, scholarship, and independence as successful traits in our team.

Gayan earned his B.S. in Chemistry at the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka (2005), and Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of Iowa with Vicki H. Grassian (2011). After receiving his doctorate degree, he started his career as a Postdoctoral Research Scholar at the University of Iowa. During this time he was also rewarded the opportunity to work as a visiting assistant professor at the Department of Chemistry. Thereafter he was offered Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Saint Cloud State University, MN. In August 2014, he began his independent research career at NMT. Gayan is the recipient of several awards including A. Lynn Anderson Award for Excellence in Graduate Research (2010) and nominated for the Graduate College D.C. Spriestersbach Dissertation Prize (2012). His research group activities include simulated laboratory studies to discover hidden reaction pathways and mechanisms of complex environmental processes, understand molecular level insights of surface chemistry and photochemistry of mineral oxides and engineered nanoparticles, and develop of catalytic systems for wastewater treatments.

Prior to join NM Tech he completed a Bachelors and Masters degrees in Chemistry at Dhaka University, Bangladesh. While pursuing Bachelors and Masters, he was involved in few projects related electrochemistry. After joining group spring 2018, he works on several projects and currently lead the two projects, 1) study on toxicological implications of inhaled coal mine dust, 2) ocean iron fertilization via atmospheric processing of  fly ash and other industrial particles. He plans to graduate in May 2023.

Rifat Khan completed his Bachelor of Pharmacy from East West University, Bangladesh and Master of Pharmacy from State University of Bangladesh. Before coming to NMT, he contributed to several research projects evaluating the in vitro and in vivo biological activities of traditional medicinal plants. In Fall 2021, he joined NMT Chemistry graduate program and showed his interest in Environmental Chemistry lab. Currently, he is working on toxicological implications of PFAS in ground water project.

Jordyn is an undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. in Chemistry with the Biochemistry option. She joined the Environmental Chemistry Research Group in the spring semester of 2021. Her research focuses on how industrial fly ash and anthropogenic Ti nanoparticles affect the kinetic rates and dissolution of Fe in the ocean, as well as the growth of selected ocean diatoms.

Jason is an undergraduate student pursuing a BS in Chemistry with a Biochemistry option. He joined the research group near the end of the 2021 fall semester. His research focuses on the environmental health concerns regarding coal dust generated in mines. This involves testing the adsorption of coal dust in simulated lung fluid, and the testing of the synthesis of tumor necrosis factor due to the exposure of coal dust in human cell lines.

Former Graduate Students:

Former Undergraduate Students:

1. Chase Kicker

2. Sean Standiford

3. Omar Harub

4. Zane Arias

5. Sarah Bockisch

6. Shaylene Paul

7. Sabino Maldonado-Torres

8. Andrew Chen

9. Omar Ordonez