Sameera Siyabalapitiya Arachchige
Westampton
Summary
Critical thinker, Problem Solver and Good Analyzer with more than 9 years of working as a researcher in the organic lab. Served as synthetic process R&D scientist for more than 2 years in small molecule, and 1 year in large molecule (Linker Pay Load Synthesis) with having experienced in safety procedures, processes, and regulations in the industrial setup. Sharp and focused professional with proficiency in multistep syntheses (milligram to kilo scale) and Organic Chemistry skills to solve complex problems in Organic Synthesis.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Principal Scientist
TCG GreenChem, Inc
05.2025 - Current
- Perform screenings and route scouting for client projects.
- Multi-step organic syntheses from milligram to multi-gram scale.
- Process Research and Development of API's and their intermediates.
- Proposal writing.
Scientist
NJ Bio, Inc.
01.2024 - 05.2025
- Synthesis of ADC Linkers and linker attached payload compounds for clients from milligram scale to gram scale.
- Development of process research for ADC linkers and related API’s.
- Process scale ups and Torrent Combi Flash chromatography runs in GMP suite.
- Performing and managing scientific, technical, and technology activities.
Senior Scientist
TCG GreenChem, Inc
04.2022 - 01.2024
- Experienced in designing and optimizing routes for drug candidates (APIs).
- Hands-on experience in Crystallization Techniques and Removal of Metal impurities.
- Hands-on experience in Metal exchange reactions and SNAr reactions for the C-C bond formation.
- Hands-on experience in metal catalyst (Pd, Co, Ru, Ni, Ir, etc.) reactions and ligand screenings.
- Developed a Copper catalyst C-H activation reaction for the C-C bond formation in route optimization (Replacing Pd) of target client molecule to reduce the process cost (Patent filling in Progress).
- Developed an Asymmetric hydrogenation reaction using Ru for API intermediate.
- Developed a route using Ellmann sulfinamide for the target nitrogen-containing chiral APIs.
- Synthesis of a ligand and development of organocatalytic Asymmetric reduction of alpha-beta unsaturated ketones (Publication Project).
- Experienced in scale-up reactions and process development for optimized routes.
- Experienced in GMP synthesis process of optimized synthetic steps to and generation of final API.
- Performing and managing scientific, technical, and technology activities.
Graduate Research Assistant
University Of Georgia
01.2018 - 04.2022
- Research Experience as a graduate student @ UGA/Wayne State developed the improved 2nd generation synthesis of Legionaminic acid and Pseudaminic acid donors and their analogs using chiral sulfinamide chemistry with minimal use of protecting groups.
- Developed the first practical synthesis of Acetaminic Acid donor using chiral sulfinamide chemistry.
- Developed a novel Aza-henry reaction for the chiral sulfinamide of the sialic acid to obtain 8-amino series of Legionaminic acid and Pseudaminic acid donors.
- Conformation studied of the side chain in furanosides and its influence on their glycosylations.
- Studied the intermediates of furanosylation using low-temperature NMR. Detection of Benzyl ether participation in furanosides.
- Developed synthesis of furanosides with dummy ligands to control side-chain conformation.
- Hands on experienced in Organic Synthesis, Carbohydrate Chemistry, NMR techniques and uses in organic chemistry and Mass spec techniques.
- Completed administrative and research duties per the professor’s request.
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Wayne State University
08.2016 - 12.2017
- Supervised and assisted students with multi-step syntheses of compounds designed to teach organic laboratory techniques.
- Served as an Instructor of record, responsible for the safety of labs taught, teaching prelab, and grading lab reports and exams.
- Checked assignments, proctored tests, and provided grades according to university standards.
- Mentored students through office hours and one-on-one communication.
Research Assistant
Fairway Biotech (Pvt) Ltd
04.2015 - 05.2016
- Served as a team member to develop a new bio-fertilizer from pharm oil waste sludge.
- Served as a team member to isolate and develop a new carbonated drink using low-boiling antioxidants in tea leaves.
- Worked both independently and collaboratively in the fast-paced laboratory environment.
Assistant Lecturer
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Duties and responsibilities included conducting laboratory classes in Organic Chemistry for undergraduates, designing experiments, and supervising undergraduate students.
- Reviewed teaching activities and identified and implemented strategies to improve student learning outcomes.
Teaching Assistant
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
03.2013 - 12.2013
- Duties and responsibilities included conducting laboratory classes in Organic Chemistry for undergraduates, designing experiments, supervising undergraduate students, grading lab reports, and conducting workshops.
- Helped with grading assignments and tests, providing constructive feedback to students based on results.
Industrial Trainee
Tea Research Institute
06.2011 - 08.2011
- Worked in the soil analytical laboratory of Tea Research Institute, Talawakelle applying theoretical knowledge and facing the challenging situations of a working environment where meeting deadlines and cost-effectiveness along with the highest quality of analysis are expected.
- Worked closely with industrial professionals to expand upon acquired training with practical knowledge.
- Supported team in industrial work completion, gaining experience in cross-functional positions and processes.
Education
Ph.D. - Organic Chemistry
University of Georgia
Athens, GA05.2022
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Nugegoda, Sri Lanka12.2012
Skills
- Instrumentation: NMR – 1D and 2D including COSY, HSQC, HMBC, NOE (Bruker, Varian and JEOL), LC-MS (Thermo Scientific Orbitrap, Waters), Bench top LC-MS(Advion), GC-MS (Thermo scientific), IR, HPLC and flash column chromatography (Teledyne CombiFlash and BioTage), EasyMax, Polyblock Automated hydrogenator
- LCMS/GCMS-Analysis
- HPLC Weight Percent Calculations
- qNMR Weight Percent Calculations
- Organic Compounds Solubility Capturing
- Multistep organic synthesis under vigorous dry aerobic conditions from milligram to kilo scale
- Synthesis of ADC Linkers and linker attached payload compounds
- High throughput catalyst/ligand Screening
- Crystallization of Organic molecules
- Removal of metal impurities from API and intermediates
- Software: MestRenova, ACD-NMR, TopSpin, VnmrJ, Gaussian and Gauss View
- GMP and non GMP API synthesis
- Special experiments: Variable temperature NMR (low and high)
Accomplishments
- Probing and discovery of Benzyl participation during glycosylation in furanose donors.
- Probing side chain conformation in furanoses.
- Step reduction in Syntheses of LEGIONAMINIC ACID AND PSEUDAMINIC ACID DONORS (second generation synthesis).
- First ever syntheses of Acetaminic Acid Donor and epi-Legionaminic acid.
Affiliations
American Chemical Society
Timeline
Associate Principal Scientist
TCG GreenChem, Inc
05.2025 - Current
Scientist
NJ Bio, Inc.
01.2024 - 05.2025
Senior Scientist
TCG GreenChem, Inc
04.2022 - 01.2024
Graduate Research Assistant
University Of Georgia
01.2018 - 04.2022
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Wayne State University
08.2016 - 12.2017
Research Assistant
Fairway Biotech (Pvt) Ltd
04.2015 - 05.2016
Assistant Lecturer
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
01.2014 - 01.2015
Teaching Assistant
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
03.2013 - 12.2013
Industrial Trainee
Tea Research Institute
06.2011 - 08.2011
Ph.D. - Organic Chemistry
University of Georgia
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
PUBLICATIONS
- Rajasekar Reddy A.; S. Arachchige, S.; Bo Qu; Chris H. Senanayake; et al.; Selective Aromatic Halogen Transfer in Batch and Continuous Flow Chemistry using Pentafluorohalobenzene (C6F5X) as Halogenating Reagent J. Org. Chem. 2025 asp doi.org/10.1021/acs.joc.5c01065
- Naini, Santhosh.; S. Arachchige, S.; Bo Qu; Chris H. Senanayake; et al.; Rajasekar Reddy A.; S. Arachchige, S.; Bo Qu; Chris H. Senanayake; et al.; Mild LiOMe-Catalyzed Trifluoromethylation of Carbonyl Compound J. Org. Chem. Submitted.
- Siyabalapitiya Arachchige, S.; Crich D. 2nd generation Syntheses of Legionaminic Acid and Pseudaminic Acid Donor Org. Lett. 2022, 24, 16, 2998-3002.
- Siyabalapitiya Arachchige, S.; Crich D. Side Chain Conformation and its Influence on Glycosylation Selectivity in Hexo- and Higher Carbon Furanoside J. Org. Chem. 2022, 87, 1, 316-339.
- Jana S.; Siyabalapitiya Arachchige, S.; Crich D Synthesis of 8-amino of Legionaminic Acid and Pseudaminic Acid donors and their Glycosylation Reactions (Preparing Manuscript).
- Development of Copper catalyst C-H activation reaction for the C-C bond formation in route optimization (Replacing Pd) of the target molecule (Client Project, Patent).
- Presented an oral talk at the ACS Spring 2022 Meeting in San Diego, CA on March 22, 2022. Titled: Concise Syntheses of Pseudaminic Acid and Legionaminic Acid Donors and their Analogues.
HONORS & AWARDS
First Class honors in B.Sc. Chemistry, 2012.
Wayne State University Departmental Citation for Excellence in Teaching Service, 2018.