Spectrum Institute research labs in a flurry of activity
Prof Eric Karunanayake the Senior Advisor for academia and science speaks to the students of SIST very often. One of his mantra for a successful scientist is a curious mind and the fearlessness to experiment. Prof Eric Karunanayake is often heard to be saying
Everything is exciting about being a scientist, especially when handling unknown specimens. Observing results also gives a scientist immense happiness which is the goal we should work towards.
“Today the yardstick of rating universities is the quality of publication by its academics in international peer reviewed journals, in particular in Science Citation Index (SCI) cited journals”
Young scientist should be in constant touch with the development in the scientific world. It is the duty of upcoming scientists to conduct research using their knowledge and, most importantly, publish their findings in order to make the scientific world aware of their research, and [thereby] cascade their knowledge to peer scientists.
In this regard he has played a key role in establishing organised research ventures at the SIST labs. Spectrum Institute of Science and Technology has now embarked on its newest venture, to ensure food safety and hygiene. SIST labs are now performing routine experimentation and testing on food samples for a number of renowned restaurants and cafes in Colombo and its suburbs. We provide consultation and lab testing facilities for these restaurants. Our academic strength and research expertise makes it possible for us to give the employees of the food and nutrition industry competent training and certification so that the standards of the food safety and production could match international standards. Muchefforts are being made to address ways of preventing food spoilage that happens post harvest. Our team at SIST is well trained to analyze and implement the HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) and we audit the food safety during preparation and processing.
We are able to do accurate quantita- tive microbial tests on food and water. This venture of SIST has created job opportunities for our Alumni and a valuable exposure to our current students as they are able to visualize the applications of microbiology and biotechnology whilst they accumulate knowledge.
Further preparation is being made for SIST students to conduct the Edinburgh Napier research project in our own labs in a range of topics including food, health care, and soil and environment. University of Mysore students are given the opportunity to come up with their own research questions and five keen students have been given a fully funded opportunity to test their hypothesis in our labs. Some of their topics are on lactic acid fermentation, Plant tissue culture of endemic plant varieties, antimicrobial properties of Lankan herbs and many others.
Spectrum Institute of Science and Technology Is a higher education venture focused on increasing the scientific human capital of Sri Lanka. Our students have consistent history of excelling in their work place and post graduate degrees both in national institutes and abroad. We nurture mind to seek answers to pressing global problems while bringing back all the knowledge to Sri Lanka to ensure that we develop sustainably as a country at peace with the environment and science.