Open to opportunities

Sanali Jayalath

@sanalijayalath

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Environmental scientist specializing in restoration, circular waste management, and community-driven sustainability.

Sri Lanka

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What I'm looking for

I seek roles applying science-led restoration and circular waste solutions in collaborative, impact-driven teams with opportunities for community engagement and research-to-practice scaling.

I am an environmental science professional with an M.Sc. in Environmental Management and an interdisciplinary background in biology, sustainability, and natural resource management. I have coordinated field-based restoration projects and managed laboratory research on biopolymer production from food waste.

My experience includes leading UNDP-GEF and World Bank funded projects, stakeholder coordination with government and NGOs, procurement for scientific equipment, and conducting biodiversity monitoring and environmental impact assessments. I combine microbiology, environmental chemistry, and biotechnology skills to deliver nature-based solutions and pollution reduction strategies.

I communicate science effectively across audiences, produce peer-reviewed publications, and develop outreach and digital content to promote wetland conservation, circularity, and inclusive community engagement.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Business Analyst

Current

Inova Environmental Services

Apr 2024 - Present (1 year 10 months)

Ensured regulatory compliance and supported HSE documentation for client environmental projects; led project coordination and contributed to business development and data analysis for new environmental initiatives.

Environmental Compliance Project Management Data Analysis Business Development Environmental Monitoring

Technical Writer

The Commonwealth Union

Apr 2023 - Apr 2024 (1 year)

Authored sustainability content on circular economy, chemical safety, and eco-innovation and managed digital engagement across social media and web platforms to increase outreach.

Scientific Writing Content Management Social Media Sustainability Communication SEO Stakeholder Engagement Digital Content Strategy

Graduate Research Assistant

University of Moratuwa

Jan 2021 - Jan 2023 (2 years)

Conducted research on producing polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolymers from fruit-waste, applying microbiology and fermentation techniques and producing stakeholder reports and publications.

Biopolymer Extraction FTIR Spectrophotometry Reporting

Project Manager

Center for Sustainability

May 2019 - Dec 2020 (1 year 7 months)

Managed World Bank AHEAD ICE grant activities including procurement of lab equipment, TEC documentation, commercialization support, and development of nature-based educational media and website content.

Grant Management Procurement TEC Documentation Content

Project Assistant

Center for Sustainability

May 2018 - Jun 2020 (2 years 1 month)

Coordinated UNDP-GEF urban wetland restoration projects, led community engagement and biodiversity monitoring, and supported EIAs and FSC-aligned biodiversity assessments.

Project Coordination Community Engagement EIA Stakeholder Management

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

University of Moratuwa

Master of Science, Environmental Management

2021 - 2023

Activities and societies: Conducted microbiology and fermentation research, contributed to publications, and engaged with University research facilities.

Graduate research assistantship focused on production of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolymer from fruit-based food industry waste as part of an M.Sc. in Environmental Management.

University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences

Activities and societies: Participated in Center for Sustainability projects and community-based environmental initiatives; project assistant roles in wetland restoration.

Completed a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with majors in Chemistry, Zoology, and Management Science.