


		Aruna Weerasooriya PhD FLS CBiol MIBiol Rm. 204, Waller Laboratory Complex The University of Mississippi P.O. Box 1848, Hathorn Road University, MS 38677 USA Tel: 662 915 5948 Fax: 662 915 6765 e-mail: arunaw@olemiss.edu

EDUCATION

Ph.D. in Plant Systematics at the Department of Ecology and Biodiversity, The University of Hong Kong (2001), "Systematics, Phylogeny and Reproductive Biology of Mitrephora (Annonaceae)" Advisor: Prof. Richard M. K. Saunders

B.Sc. (Biology), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (1990)

Trained in plant systematics, herbarium methodology and management, and seed banking technology at the Royal Botanic Garden – Kew and the Royal Botanic Garden – Edinburgh, United Kingdom – 1993

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Postdoctoral Research Associate (Plant Molecular Systematics), Department of Biology, University of Missouri–St. Louis USA: Nov. 2001 – June 2002

Senior Research Assistant, Department of Ecology and Biodiversity, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong: April 1998 – August 2001

Research Botanist, Forest die–back study project, Department of Botany, University of Peradeniya Sri Lanka: May 1997– March 1998

Visiting Lecturer in Environmental Conservation and Botany, Wildlife Training and Education Center, Sri Lanka: 1996 – 1998

Visiting Lecturer in Environmental Conservation and Botany, Center for Environmental Studies, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka: 1996 – 1998

Visiting Lecturer in Urban Forestry and Arboriculture, Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka: 1996 – 1998

Visiting Lecturer in Plant Ecology and Conservation, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka: 1996 – 1998

Consultant/Flora, Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Project for the preparation of the management plan for the Department of Wildlife Conservation Sri Lanka: 1995 – 1997

Plant Taxonomist, Revision of the Flora of Ceylon Project, National Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka: 1992 – May 1997

Teaching Assistant, Department of Botany, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka: 1990 – 1992

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Associate Faculty, Missouri Botanical Garden

Fellow, The Linnean Society of London

Member, Institute of Biology, UK

Member, International Association for Plant Taxonomy

Member, The American Society of Plant Taxonomists

Member, Botanical Society of America

Member, Society of Systematic Biologists

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Systematics, phylogeny and reproductive biology of flowering plants; Annonaceae; Mitrephora; Ethnobotany; Phytochemistry; Ecology; Floras of Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malesiana

PUBLICATIONS

Books/Monographs:

Weerasooriya, A. and R.M.K. Saunders. Monograph of Mitrephora (Annoanceae). Systematic Botany Monographs The American Society of Plant Taxonomists – in prep

Book chapters:

Weerasooriya, A. D., and R.M.K. Saunders. Mitrephora. in: P. J. A. Keßler (ed.), Annonaceae; in: T. Santisuk and K. Larsen (eds.), Flora of Thailand. The Forest Herbarium, Royal Forest Dept., Bangkok – in press

Weerasooriya, A. 2000. Najadaceae. pp. 252-255 in Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon Vol. 14, eds. M.D. Dassanayake and W.D. Clayton. A.A. Balkema Publishers: Rotterdam, Netherlands

Weerasooriya, A. 2000. Taccaceae. pp. 277-278 in Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon Vol. 14, eds. M.D. Dassanayake and W.D. Clayton

Weerasooriya, A. 2000. Typhaceae. pp. 290-292 in Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon Vol. 14, eds. M.D. Dassanayake and W.D. Clayton

Weerasooriya, A. 2000. Triuridaceae. pp. 286-289 in Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon Vol. 14, eds. M.D. Dassanayake and W.D. Clayton

Dassanayake, M.D. and A. Weerasooriya. 2000. Alismataceae. Pp. 5-8 in Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon Vol. 14, eds. M.D. Dassanayake and W.D. Clayton

Dassanayake, M.D. and A. Weerasooriya. 2000. Marantaceae. Pp. 239-245 in Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon Vol. 14, eds. M.D. Dassanayake and W.D. Clayton

Weerasooriya, A. 1999. Alangiaceae. pp. 34-38 in Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon Vol. 13, eds. M.D. Dassanayake and W.D. Clayton

Weerasooriya, A. 1999. Buxaceae. pp. 34-38 in Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon Vol. 13, eds. M.D. Dassanayake and W.D. Clayton

Weerasooriya, A. 1999. Cactaceae. pp. 41-45 in Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon Vol. 13, eds. M.D. Dassanayake and W.D. Clayton

Weerasooriya, A. 1999. Cornaceae. pp. 54-60 in Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon Vol. 13, eds. M.D. Dassanayake and W.D. Clayton

Weerasooriya, A. 1999. Daphniphyllaceae. pp. 65-67 in Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon Vol. 13, eds. M.D. Dassanayake and W.D. Clayton

Weerasooriya, A. 1999. Dichapetalaceae. pp. 68-71 in Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon Vol. 13, eds. M.D. Dassanayake and W.D. Clayton

Weerasooriya, A. 1999. Linaceae. pp. 208-209 in Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon Vol. 13, eds. M.D. Dassanayake and W.D. Clayton

Weerasooriya, A. 1999. Opiliaceae. pp. 173-176 in Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon Vol. 13, eds. M.D. Dassanayake and W.D. Clayton

Weerasooriya, A. 1999. Trapaceae. pp. 208-209 in Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon Vol. 13, eds. M.D. Dassanayake and W.D. Clayton

Weerasooriya, A. 1999. Moringaceae. pp. 124-125 in Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon Vol. 13, eds. M.D. Dassanayake and W.D. Clayton

Dassanayake, M.D. and A. Weerasooriya. 1999. Hypericaceae. Pp. 114-117 in Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon Vol. 13, eds. M.D. Dassanayake and W.D. Clayton

Wadhwa, B.M. and A. Weerasooriya. 1997. Simaroubaceae. pp. 4-9-415 in Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon Vol. 11, eds. M.D. Dassanayake and W.D. Clayton

Wadhwa, B.M. and A. Weerasooriya. 1996. Passifloraceae. pp. 304-321 in Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon Vol. 10, eds. M.D. Dassanayake and W.D. Clayton

Wadhwa, B.M. and A. Weerasooriya. 1996. Portulacaceae. pp. 343-351 in Revised Handbook 0to the Flora of Ceylon Vol. 10, eds. M.D. Dassanayake and W.D. Clayton

Wadhwa, B.M. and A. Weerasooriya. 1996. Erythroxylaceae. pp. 139-148 in Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon Vol. 10, eds. M.D. Dassanayake and W.D. Clayton

Wadhwa, B.M. and A. Weerasooriya. 1996. Tiliaceae (Muntingia). pp. 410-412 in Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon Vol. 10, eds. M.D. Dassanayake and W.D. Clayton

Wadhwa, B.M. and A. Weerasooriya. 1996. Violaceae. pp. 413-426 in Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon Vol. 10, eds. M.D. Dassanayake and W.D. Clayton

Wadhwa, B.M. and A. Weerasooriya. 1996. Stemonaceae. pp. 383-385 in Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon Vol. 10, eds. M.D. Dassanayake and W.D. Clayton

Journals:

Weerasooriya, A. P.Chalermglin and R.M.K. Saunders. in press. Mitrephora sirikitiae (Annonaceae): A remarkable new species to northern Thailand. Nordic Journal of Botany

Karunaratne, V., K. Bombuwala, S. Kathirgamanathar, D.N. Karunaratne, K.B. Ranawana, D.S.A. Wijesundara, A. Weerasooriya, and E.D. de Silva. 2002. An association between the butterfly Talicada nyseus and the lichen Leproloma sipmanianum as evidenced from chemical studies. Current Science 83 (6): 741-745

Weerasooriya, A. and R.M.K. Saunders. 2002. Proposals to reject the names Mitrephora teysmannii and Orophea macrocarpa (Annonaceae). Taxon 51: 191-192

Weerasooriya, A. and R.M.K. Saunders. 2001. Mitrephora simeuluensis (Annonaceae), a new species from Simeuluë, Indonesia. Blumea 46: 595-598

Weerasooriya, A. and R.M.K. Saunders. 2001. Three new species of Mitrephora (Annonaceae) from Sabah, Malaysia. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 135: 305-313

Jayasinghe, U.L.B., B.M.M. Kumarihamy, M. Nadeem, M.I. Choudhary, Attta-ur-Rahman and A. Weerasooriya. 2001. Iso-N-formyl-5-en-chonemorphine, a steroidal alkaloid from Sarcococca zeylanica. Natural Product Letters 15:151-155

Mahaliyanage, T.D., A. Weerasooriya and N.K.B. Adikaram. 1999. Phytosocialogy and forest heath studies in Horton Plains National Park. Annual Report submitted to UNDP/GEF

Diyabalanage, T.K.K., G.P. Wannigama, A. Weerasooriya, L. Jayasinghe and P. Simmonds. 1995. Ursene carboxylic acids of Uncaria elliptica. Phytochemistry 40: 1311-1312

Abstracts:

Renner, S.S. and A. Weerasooriya. 2002. Roles of Gondwana break-up and transoceanic dispersal in the evolution of Hernandiaceae. Botany 2002, University of Wisconsin- Madison, Wisconsin (abstract)

Renner, S.S. and A. Weerasooriya and Mark E. Olson. 2002. Towards a phylogeny of the Cucurbitaceae. Botany 2002, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin (abstract)

Renner, S.S. and A. Weerasooriya. 2002. Phylogeny of Pistia and its relatives in the Areae/Colocasieae. Botany 2002, University of Wisconsin Madison, Wisconsin (abstract)

Renner, S.S. and A. Weerasooriya., G. Gusman and G. Murata. 2002. Phylogeny and evolution of Arisaema (Araceae). Botany 2002, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin (abstract)

Weerasooriya, A. and R.M.K. Saunders. 2001. Systematics, Phylogeny and Reproductive Biology of Mitrephora (Annonaceae). International workshop on Annonaceae, Bogor Botanic Gardens, Indonesia (abstract)

Mahaliyanage, T.D., A. Weerasooriya and N.K.B. Adikaram. 1999. Present status of forest die–back in the Horton plains National Park, Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the Annual research sessions of the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Weerasooriya, A. and R.M.K. Saunders. 1999. Character utility and species delimitation of Mitrephora (Annonaceae). Abstracts of the 2nd Biennial Meeting of The Systematics Association, United Kingdom (abstract)

Ratnayake, R., V. Karunaratne, V. Kumar, B.M.R. Bandara, S. Wijesundara, S. Dharmasena, A. Weerasooriya and M.D. Dassanayake. 1998. A phytochemical approach to the classification of genus Hortonia in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science

Bombuwala, K., V. Karunaratne, K.B. Ranawana, A. Weerasooriya, S. Wijesundara and E.D. de Silva. 1998. Sequestration of lichen compounds by the butterfly Talicada nyseus. Proceedings of the Research Sessions, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya

Bombuwela, K., V. Karunaratne, K.B. Ranawana, A. Weerasooriya, D.S.A. Wijesundara and D.D. de Silva. 1998. Evidence for a lichen–butterfly association. Proceedings of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science

Bombuwela, K., V. Karunaratne, N.K.B. Adikaram, A. Weerasooriya and E. D. de Silva. 1997. Antifungal activity of Sri Lankan lichens. Proceedings of the Research Sessions, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya

Diyabalanage, T.K.K., G.P. Wannigama, U.L.B. Jayasinghe and A. Weerasooriya. 1996. Site and season as factors in plant collection. 6th International Symposium on Natural Product Chemistry, Karachi, Pakistan

Chandrasena, W.D., T.K.K. Diyabalanage, G.P. Wannigama, U.L.B. Jayasinghe, W.H.M.W Herath and A. Weerasooriya. 1995. Chemical constituents of Uncaria elliptica collected from two sites. Proceedings-Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science

Wijesundara, D.S.A., M.D.P. Samarasinghe and A. Weerasooriya. 1992. Forest gap vegetation in Horton Plains. Proceedings of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science

Popular articles:

Kushan Tennakoon & Aruna Weerasooriya. March 1998. Nature’s scroungers – The fascinating world of plant parasites. Sri Lanka Nature, WHT publications (Pvt) Ltd. 44-58

Aruna Weerasooriya. June 1998. Gordonia – a genus with fascinating endemics in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Nature, WHT publications (Pvt) Ltd. 23-24

Multimedia CDs:

Contributor, Forestry Compendium (2003). CAB International Publishing, Oxon, United Kingdom