Dr. Samalka Wijeweera is a plant biotechnologist whose research bridges plant biochemistry, proteomics, and stress physiology, with a growing focus on space farming and autonomous agriculture systems. She earned her Honours degree in Plant Biotechnology with First-Class Honours from the University of Colombo, where she later served as an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Plant Sciences.

Awarded both the UWA Research Training Program Scholarship and the prestigious Forrest Research Foundation Scholarship, Samalka pursued her PhD at the University of Western Australia’s School of Molecular Sciences and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology. Under the supervision of Prof. Harvey Millar and Dr. Owen Duncan, she investigated the molecular mechanisms underpinning salinity tolerance in wheat, with a strong emphasis on quantitative proteomics.

Currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate at UWA, Samalka contributes to the UK Space Agency–funded project on autonomous plant monitoring for controlled environment agriculture and extraterrestrial applications. She also collaborates in GRDC funded research on improving NUE in Australian wheat.