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Himali Delanka-Pedige

Himali Delanka-Pedige, Assistant Professor

Environmental Engineering

My research interests are water and wastewater treatment, biological treatment, water quality characterization, microbial pathogens, emerging contaminants, non-targeted organic analysis, resource recovery, process modeling, multi-criteria decision-making, and sustainability assessment.

Classes

  • CE 413 - Collection System Design
SIU Himali Delanka-Pedige Engineering B, Room 22
618-453-5724
himali.delankapedige@siu.edu

Education

  • Ph.D. Civil Engineering, New Mexico State University, NM, 2021
  • M.Sc. Environmental Engineering, New Mexico State University, NM, 2018
  • B.Sc. Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2015

Related Experience

  • Postdoctoral Researcher, New Mexico State University, NM, August 2022 – August 2024
  • Senior Lecturer, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology, Sri Lanka, June 2021 – July 2022
  • Lecturer (Associate), Curtin University, Australia, June 2021 – July 2022
  • Environmental Engineering Intern, City of Las Cruces Utilities Division, NM, January 2021 – April 2021
  • Research Assistant, New Mexico State University, NM, January 2017 – April 2021
  • Lecturer (Temporary), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, October 2015 – December 2016

Honors and Awards

  • New Mexico State University Graduate Assistant Tuition Fellowship
  • New Mexico State University Engineering Research Award
  • NSF Non-Academic Research Internship for Graduate Students (INTERN) Award
  • NSF Engineering Research Center for Reinventing the Nation's Urban Water Infrastructure (ReNUWIt) International Conference Travel Grant
  • Aggies-go-global International Conference Travel Grant
  • Special Award of Recognition for Research Performance in Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology for the Year 2021

Publications

Journal Articles

  • M.K. Delanka-Pedige, A. Ahmed, T. Schaub, P. Trainor, and N. Nirmalakhandan. “Feasibility of organic micropollutant removal from municipal wastewaters by algal treatment vs. activated sludge treatment: Comparison based on non-targeted organic compound analysis”. Journal of Environmental Management, 367 (2024): 121936.
  • Delanka-Pedige, Himali MK, Robert B. Young, Maha T. Abutokaikah, Lin Chen, Huiyao Wang, Kanchana ABI Imihamillage, Sean Thimons, Michael A. Jahne, Antony J. Williams, Yanyan Zhang, and Pei Xu. "Non-targeted Analysis and Toxicity Prediction for Evaluation of Photocatalytic Membrane Distillation Removing Organic Contaminants from Hypersaline Oil and Gas Field-Produced Water." Journal of Hazardous Materials 471 (2024): 134436.
  • Delanka-Pedige, H. M. K., Y. Zhang, R. B. Young, H. Wang, L. Hu, C. Danforth, and P. Xu. "Safe reuse of treated produced water outside oil and gas fields? A review of current practices, challenges, opportunities, and a risk-based pathway for produced water treatment and fit-for-purpose reuse." Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering 42 (2023): 100973.
  • Abeyratne, W. M. L. K., H. Bayat, M. K. Delanka-Pedige, Y. Zhang, C. E. Brewer, and N. Nirmalakhandan. "Multi-criteria Evaluation of Energy Recovery from Urban Wastewater Sludges by Anaerobic Digestion and Hydrothermal Liquefaction." Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering (2023): 109628.
  • Nirmalakhandan, N., X. Cheng, S. P. Munasinghe-Arachchige, M. K. Delanka-Pedige, and Y. Zhang. "Single-step mixotrophic algal wastewater treatment: Microbial assessment of effluent." Algal Research 64 (2022): 102704.
  • Abeysiriwardana-Arachchige, I. S. A., M. K. Delanka-Pedige, S. P. Munasinghe-Arachchige, C. E. Brewer, and N. Nirmalakhandan. "Modeling and optimization of an algal-based sewage treatment and resource recovery (STaRR) system." Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 10, no. 2 (2022): 107139.
  • Delanka-Pedige, H. M. K., Y. Zhang, and N. Nirmalakhandan. "Algal wastewater treatment integrated with carbon adsorption and ozonation for water reclamation: Multi-criteria comparison with conventional pathways." Algal Research 61 (2022): 102581.
  • Munasinghe-Arachchige, S. P., K. M. Sparks, A. Ahmed, M. K. Delanka-Pedige, I. S. A. Abeysiriwardana-Arachchige, T. Schaub, P. J. Trainor, and N. Nirmalakhandan. "Algal-based wastewater treatment: Evaluation of nitrogenous byproducts in chlorinated effluent." Algal Research 59 (2021): 102443.
  • Munasinghe-Arachchige, S. P., I. S. A. Abeysiriwardana-Arachchige, M. K. Delanka-Pedige, and N. Nirmalakhandan. "Biofertilizer recovery from organic solid wastes via hydrothermal liquefaction." Bioresource Technology 338 (2021): 125497.
  • Abeysiriwardana-Arachchige, I. S. A., M. K. Delanka-Pedige, S. P. Munasinghe-Arachchige, and N. Nirmalakhandan. "Techno-economic optimization of phosphorous recovery in an algal-based sewage treatment system." Bioresource Technology 332 (2021): 125128.
  • Abeysiriwardana-Arachchige, I. S. A., N. Samarasingha, R. Rosalez, S. P. Munasinghe-Arachchige, M. K. Delanka-Pedige, C. E. Brewer, and N. Nirmalakhandan. "Maximizing phosphorus recovery as biofertilizer in an algal wastewater treatment system." Resources, Conservation and Recycling 170 (2021): 105552.
  • Delanka-Pedige, H. M. K., S. P. Munasinghe-Arachchige, I. S. A. Abeysiriwardana-Arachchige, and N. Nirmalakhandan. "Evaluating wastewater treatment infrastructure systems based on UN Sustainable Development Goals and targets." Journal of Cleaner Production 298 (2021): 126795.
  • Munasinghe-Arachchige, S. P., I. S. A. Abeysiriwardana-Arachchige, M. K. Delanka-Pedige, P. Cooke, and N. Nirmalakhandan. "Nitrogen-fertilizer recovery from urban sewage via gas permeable membrane: Process analysis, modeling, and intensification." Chemical Engineering Journal 411 (2021): 128443.
  • Delanka-Pedige, H. M. K., S. P. Munasinghe-Arachchige, I. S. A. Abeysiriwardana-Arachchige, and N. Nirmalakhandan. "Wastewater infrastructure for sustainable cities: assessment based on UN sustainable development goals (SDGs)." International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology 28, no. 3 (2021): 203-209.
  • Abeysiriwardana-Arachchige, I. S. A., G. W. Chapman, R. Rosalez, N. Soliz, Z. Cui, S. P. Munasinghe-Arachchige, M. K. Delanka-Pedige, C. E. Brewer, P. J. Lammers, and N. Nirmalakhandan. "Mixotrophic algal system for centrate treatment and resource recovery." Algal Research 52 (2020): 102087.
  • Delanka-Pedige, H. M. K., I. S. A. Abeysiriwardana-Arachchige, D. Tchinda, S. P. Munasinghe-Arachchige, S. M. Henkanatte-Gedera, and N. Nirmalakhandan. "Algal process for single-step removal of organic carbon and nutrients: Modeling and optimization of fed-batch operation." Journal of Water Process Engineering 38 (2020): 101622.
  • Delanka-Pedige, H. M. K., S. P. Munasinghe-Arachchige, I. S. A. Abeysiriwardana-Arachchige, Y. Zhang, and N. Nirmalakhandan. "Algal pathway towards meeting United Nation’s sustainable development goal 6." International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology 27, no. 8 (2020): 678-686.
  • Delanka-Pedige, H. M. K., X. Cheng, S. P. Munasinghe-Arachchige, G. L. C. L. Bandara, Y. Zhang, P. Xu, T. Schaub, and N. Nirmalakhandan. "Conventional vs. algal wastewater technologies: Reclamation of microbially safe water
  • Munasinghe-Arachchige, S. P., I. S. A. Abeysiriwardana-Arachchige, M. K. Delanka-Pedige, and N. Nirmalakhandan. "Algal pathway for nutrient recovery from urban sewage." Algal Research 51 (2020): 102023.
  • Munasinghe-Arachchige, S. P., I. S. A. Abeysiriwardana-Arachchige, M. K. Delanka-Pedige, and N. Nirmalakhandan. "Sewage treatment process refinement and intensification using multi-criteria decision-making approach: A case study." Journal of Water Process Engineering 37 (2020): 101485.
  • Delanka-Pedige, H. M. K., S. P. Munasinghe-Arachchige, Y. Zhang, and N. Nirmalakhandan. "Bacteria and virus reduction in secondary treatment: Potential for minimizing post disinfectant demand." Water Research 177 (2020): 115802.
  • Abeysiriwardana-Arachchige, I. S. A., S. P. Munasinghe-Arachchige, M. K. Delanka-Pedige, and N. Nirmalakhandan. "Removal and recovery of nutrients from municipal sewage: Algal vs. conventional approaches." Water Research 175 (2020): 115709.
  • Delanka-Pedige, H. M. K., X. Cheng, S. P. Munasinghe-Arachchige, I. S. A. Abeysiriwardana-Arachchige, J. Xu, N. Nirmalakhandan, and Y. Zhang. "Metagenomic insights into virus removal performance of an algal-based wastewater treatment system utilizing Galdieria sulphuraria." Algal Research 47 (2020): 101865.
  • Cheng, X., M. K. Delanka-Pedige, S. P. Munasinghe-Arachchige, I. S. A. Abeysiriwardana-Arachchige, G. B. Smith, N. Nirmalakhandan, and Y. Zhang. "Removal of antibiotic resistance genes in an algal-based wastewater treatment system employing Galdieria sulphuraria: A comparative study." Science of the Total Environment 711 (2020): 134435.
  • Munasinghe-Arachchige, S. P., M. K. Delanka-Pedige, I. S. A. Abeysiriwardana-Arachchige, Y. Zhang, and N. Nirmalakhandan. "Predicting fecal coliform inactivation in a mixotrophic algal wastewater treatment system." Algal Research 44 (2019): 101698.
  • Tchinda, D., S. M. Henkanatte-Gedera, I. S. A. Abeysiriwardana-Arachchige, M. K. Delanka-Pedige, S. P. Munasinghe-Arachchige, Y. Zhang, and N. Nirmalakhandan. "Single-step treatment of primary effluent by Galdieria sulphuraria: Removal of biochemical oxygen demand, nutrients, and pathogens." Algal Research 42 (2019): 101578.
  • Nirmalakhandan, N., T. Selvaratnam, S. M. Henkanatte-Gedera, D. Tchinda, I. S. A. Abeysiriwardana-Arachchige, M. K. Delanka-Pedige, S. P. Munasinghe-Arachchige, Y. Zhang, F. O. Holguin, and P. J. Lammers. "Algal wastewater treatment: Photoautotrophic vs. mixotrophic processes." Algal Research 41 (2019): 101569.
  • Delanka-Pedige, H. M. K., S. P. Munasinghe-Arachchige, J. Cornelius, S. M. Henkanatte-Gedera, D. Tchinda, Y. Zhang, and N. Nirmalakhandan. "Pathogen reduction in an algal-based wastewater treatment system employing Galdieria sulphuraria." Algal Research 39 (2019): 101423.
  • Munasinghe-Arachchige, S. P., M. K. Delanka-Pedige, S. M. Henkanatte-Gedera, D. Tchinda, Y. Zhang, and N. Nirmalakhandan. "Factors contributing to bacteria inactivation in the Galdieria sulphuraria-based wastewater treatment system." Algal Research 38 (2019): 101392.
  • Kanchanamala, D. P. H. M., K. D. W. Nandalal, and H. M. H. K. Herath. "Impact of catchment scale on rainfall-runoff modeling: Kalu Ganga river catchment up to Ratnapura." Engineer: Journal of the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka, 49(2) (2016).

 Book chapters       

  • Nirmalakhandan, N., I. S. A. Abeysiriwardana-Arachchige, S. P. Munasinghe-Arachchige, and M. K. Delanka-Pedige. "Integrated algal-based sewage treatment and resource recovery system." In Integrated Wastewater Management and Valorization Using Algal Cultures, pp. 51-80. Elsevier, 2022.
  • Khandan, N., D. Tchinda, S. M. Henkanatte-Gedera, I. S. A. Abeysiriwardana-Arachchige, M. K. Delanka-Pedige, S. P. Munasinghe-Arachchige, and Y. Zhang. "Sustainable Autarky of Food-Energy-Water (Safe-Water)." In International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment, pp. 91-98. Springer, Singapore, 2018.

 

Invited presentations

  • Update on Produced Water Treatment and Recycling and Reuse Efforts by New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium, Permian Basin Water in Energy Conference, University of Texas Permian Basin, Midland, Texas. (2024)
  • Chemical and Toxicological Characterization of Produced Water Treated via Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO). 6th Annual Water Innovations and Networking (WIN) Workshop. Alamogordo, New Mexico. (2023)

 

Conference presentations  

  • Recovery of microbially safe water from municipal wastewater via Galdieria sulphuraria-based wastewater treatment system. Two Nations One Water: US-Mexico Border Water Summit. Las Cruces, New Mexico. (2019)
  • Algal versus Conventional Wastewater Treatment: Comparison of microbial communities. Singapore International Water Week- Water Convention. Singapore. (2018).
  • Algal versus Conventional Wastewater Treatment: Comparison of pathogen removal and microbial communities. 2nd International Conference on Advances in Biotechnology-2018. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (2018).
  • Investigation of applicability of different modeling methods available in HEC-HMS for modeling Kalu River Upper catchment in Sri Lanka, 6th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction Management. Kandy, Sri Lanka. (2015)
  • Application of some methods for screening rainfall records at seven gauging stations in Kalu Ganga upper catchment. Peradeniya University International Research Session (IPURSE), Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. (2015)