Research Interests: Human-centric software engineering with a focus on the human, socio-technical, and cognitive dimensions of software development, empirical software engineering, socio-technical grounded theory, the intersection of software engineering and psychology, information systems design, human-computer interaction, and diversity and inclusion.

I am currently pursuing a PhD in Software Engineering at Monash University as part of the HumaniSE Lab, under the supervision of Professor John Grundy, Professor Rashina Hoda, and Dr. Ingo Mueller. My research focuses on exploring the role of empathy in developer-stakeholder interactions within software engineering. I explore how empathy shapes these interactions and identify ways to improve software engineering processes and outcomes through empathetic practices. With a strong foundation in qualitative and mixed-methods research, I enjoy working at the intersection of software engineering and psychology. My research contributions have been published in leading software engineering journals, including ACM Transactions on Software Engineering and Methodology (TOSEM), Information and Software Technology (IST), and Journal of Systems and Software (JSS).

During my PhD, I have gained teaching experience as a Teaching Associate in the Faculty of IT, conducting on-campus tutorials and assessing student activities for both undergraduate and postgraduate cohorts. I have also worked as a research assistant at Monash University and the University of Melbourne.

Before pursuing my PhD, I worked as a Senior Software Quality Assurance Engineer, gaining over four years of industry experience. I collaborated with diverse stakeholders across multiple countries and contributed to the development of various software products. My role involved ensuring that software solutions met quality standards through comprehensive testing, process optimisation, and effective communication with cross-functional teams. This experience enhanced my technical expertise, attention to detail, and ability to deliver reliable, high-quality software that meets both user needs and business requirements.

I graduated with a First Class Bachelor of Science (Hons.) degree in Information Systems from the University of Colombo School of Computing, Sri Lanka. I was recognised as the Gold Medallist for the Best Undergraduate Research Project (jointly) and received the Silver Award at the prestigious National Best Quality Software Awards (NBQSA) for the same project, which led to representing Sri Lanka at the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance Awards (APICTA) in 2018.

Beyond research and teaching, I am passionate about sharing my experiences and engaging in diverse volunteering activities and organising committees. I was an active member of Toastmasters International, Panadura Toastmasters Club, Division A, District 82 from 2014 to 2021, where I held several executive committee positions, including Club President, Vice President of Education, Secretary, Immediate Past President at the club level, as well as Area Director at the district level. My leadership roles contributed to the club achieving prestigious awards, and I provided guidance and support to clubs within my area. I have also volunteered at several academic conferences, including the International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE) and other community initiatives.