UPWr Doctoral School PhD student wins the Interstudent 2022 award

• Chathura, the PhD student of the year, conducts research for his doctorate, works on projects at UPWr and the University of Sri Lanka, leads workshops and participates in international conferences.

The Interstudent competition selects, awards and promotes the best foreign undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students studying in Poland. It’s aimed at students whose scientific activity inspires and enriches the local academic and cultural environment.

–The jury unanimously accepted my nomination as the winner of the Interstudent 2022 award in the PhD category. I'm very honoured to receive this award and I'm thankful to the UPWr Doctoral School for nominating me, and grateful for my main supervisor, Prof. Magdalena Szymura and everyone who has always been a part of my journey – says the PhD student who’s gathered quite a few successes over the years. During the five semesters he has spent at the UPWr doctoral school, he has earned a scholarship from the STER and POWER 3.5 programs and a grant for his innovative doctorate.

Interstudent 2022

Chathura studies invasive plants. His PhD focuses on the invasive American goldenrod, late goldenrod and Canadian goldenrod. These plants are one of the most widespread invasive plants in Europe.

Biological invasions are a worldwide phenomenon which alter biodiversity, landscape structures, ecosystem services, local economy, as well as human health and wellbeing. Increased understanding of the invasion process enables biodiversity to be more effectively protected on different levels, as well as enables insight into the interactions between organisms.

But the young scientist goes way beyond conducting research for his doctorate. He's simultaneously leading projects at the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences and at his alma mater in Sri Lanka, he organizes workshops for students, helps younger colleagues that are just starting their studies, publishes articles and actively participates in international science conferences.

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