From Roots to Horizons: A Journey Through Time and Science
by Teshani Kumarage for Living Futures
In a small village in Sri Lanka, a young girl sat alone on the porch, violin in hand, pouring her heart into melodies only she could hear. Music was my first love — a source of joy and expression. But like many dreams, it was gently redirected by reality. In my world, music was a hobby, not a career. My parents, who had only completed middle school, believed that success could be found in paths they recognized: medicine, engineering, or teaching. I chose a path that neither they nor I fully understood at first — Physics.
As a student, I was above average but unremarkable until grade nine, when a math tutor saw potential in me. “You’re smarter than you realize,” he said. It was the first time someone believed in me so strongly, and that belief lit a fire within me. Choosing the math stream for high school was practical; I wasn’t good at biology, but my parents hoped I’d become a doctor (which I did, just not the kind my dad envisioned. Then again, he never specified what kind of doctor he wanted me to be). Instead, I studied mathematics, chemistry, and physics. Like most students in Sri Lanka, I initially dreamed of becoming an engineer. But physics had a quiet way of captivating me. While I struggled to connect with chemistry, I found myself enthralled by physics.
During this time, my physics tutor, a professor from the University of Peradeniya, would tell us stories about physics majors who earned PhDs in faraway countries. I didn’t yet understand what a PhD meant, but the idea planted itself in my mind like a seed. After graduating high school, I earned admission to the University of Ruhuna, but my dream was Peradeniya — the most prestigious university in Sri Lanka. I tried again, and on my second attempt, I succeeded. Only 3% of candidates earn admission to a Sri Lankan government university, and I was proud to be among them.
At Peradeniya, physics became more than a subject — it became a lens through which I saw the world. In my third year, I vividly remember a biophysics lecture where my professor sketched lipids on the blackboard. Sunlight filtered into the room as I color-coded the lipid structures in my notebook. Biology had always felt foreign to me, but that day, it came alive through physics. It was no longer about memorizing facts but understanding how systems worked — how the building blocks of life interacted in intricate, beautiful ways. I still have that notebook today, a reminder of the moment I found my passion for biophysics.
By my final year, I was working on gelatin-based composites for my undergraduate thesis, exploring soft matter physics for the first time. My aim was to use gelatin — a biocompatible and biodegradable material — to create durable storage bags that I could replace the plastic polythene bags commonly used in stores. It was here that I realized the potential of physics to solve real-world problems and how bridging disciplines could improve lives. I graduated with first-class honors and a determination to continue my journey.
Reaching Virginia Tech to begin my PhD, however, proved to be one of my greatest challenges. I was thrilled when Prof. Rana Ashkar, a biophysicist whose work I admired, offered me a position in her lab. But my visa was rejected — not once, but twice. Watching my friends leave for their graduate programs while I remain behind was heart-wrenching. My advisor never gave up on me; she believed in my potential when I no longer did. On the third attempt, my visa was approved. I spent the last of my savings on a flight and arrived in the U.S. within a week, carrying my dreams and trepidation in equal measure.
Adapting to a new country brought challenges — everything felt unfamiliar. But science grounded me. During my first winter at Virginia Tech, my advisor invited me to Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) for an experiment. Walking into ORNL’s world-class facilities felt like stepping into a dream. The precision, the scale, and the collaborative energy inspired me. I left with a new goal: to return not just as a student but as a scientist.
Over the next five years, I dedicated myself to understanding the structure-property relationships in biomimetic lipid membranes. My work demonstrated that cholesterol stiffens membranes universally, regardless of lipid composition — a result that challenged existing paradigms. I then explored sterol-modified lipids, engineered molecules that enhanced membrane stability and elasticity beyond cholesterol’s capabilities. These findings hold significant promise for developing drug and vaccine delivery systems. My experiments at ORNL and my collaborations with scientists at NIST were pivotal in advancing this research.
Throughout my PhD, I was fortunate to present my work at international conferences like those organized by the Biophysical Society, American Chemical Society and American Physical Society, publish research articles, and mentor undergraduate students. One of my mentees even won a Best Poster Award — a moment that felt as rewarding as my own successes, as it reflected the impact of mentorship and the joy of seeing others thrive. Along the way, I received honors like the Ray F. Tipsword Graduate Scholarship awarded to a Ph.D. candidate whose dissertation research has been established to be in Condensed-matter Physics, Optics, or Statistical Physics, and Wan-Zia graduate scholarship awarded for active engagement in research. However, what mattered most were the quieter victories: the breakthrough after weeks of failed experiments, the shared excitement of my lab mates, and the small reminders that I was exactly where I needed to be.
Through it all, I carried with me the sacrifices of my parents. My father worked tirelessly to provide for my education, never fully understanding what a PhD meant but believing it was worth it because I believed it was. My gratitude extends to my advisor, Prof. Ashkar, whose guidance shaped me into the scientist I am today, and to the Sri Lankan community at Virginia Tech, who made a foreign place feel like home. In my dissertation, I wrote:
“To my parents, for every sacrifice, and to those who believed in me when I could not believe in myself.”
Now, as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, I am working to develop drug delivery systems that are biocompatible, biodegradable, and accessible — using next-generation lipid nanoparticles for RNA delivery. My vision is to develop solutions that could transform global healthcare.
Looking to the future, I see myself at the intersection of physics, biology, and engineering, solving problems that impact people’s lives such as creating sustainable drug delivery systems or designing innovative biophysical tools for healthcare. But beyond the science, I carry a deeper dream: to inspire the next generation of Sri Lankan scientists, especially young women like me who may not yet see how far they can go. I want to be the mentor I once needed — the voice that says, “You’re smarter than you realize.”
My journey has been one of unexpected turns, immense challenges, and profound gratitude. From a small village in Sri Lanka to laboratories in the U.S., I carry the lessons of resilience and the hopes of those who believed in me. Science, like life, is about uncovering structure, finding balance, and building possibilities. As I continue this journey, I know this is only the beginning.
Appendix: Poem by Teshani Kumarage.
Acknowledgments: I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Srividya Iyer-Biswas, Dr. Charles Wright, Prof. Margaret Johnson, Prof. Natasha Mhatre, and Prof. Vivek Prakash for their invaluable feedback and insightful suggestions, which helped refine this essay. Their thoughtful comments greatly enriched the narrative and strengthened its impact. Thank you for believing in the power of my story.
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Living Futures: A Living Histories initiative organized by Charles S Wright and Srividya Iyer-Biswas.
Concept: Srividya Iyer-Biswas
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