Thirandie Bambaradeniya

My email: tbambaraa@gmail.com

My phone number: (+1) 443-979-6004

My name is Thirandie Bambaradeniya. I live in Howard County, Maryland, and I am 23 years old. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography and Environmental Studies from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) where I graduated with Honors in late 2023. Currently I am a Master's candidate at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. I am anticipating to graduate on May 20, 2026, with a Master of Science degree in Environmental Health.

I have a strong background in academic research. I have conducted and been involved in research projects pertaining to the following topics:

• Heat wave mitigation in an underserved community in Baltimore City - Conducted under a faculty mentor (Bachelors)
• Evaluating the Neighborhood, Structural, and Climatic Factors Contributing to Heat Vulnerability in New Orleans, Louisiana - Involved in as a Graduate Research Assistant (Masters)
• Lead Pipe Identification in Baltimore City: Protecting the Public’s Health from Drinking Water Contamination - Conducted under a faculty mentor (Masters)

I have a strong all-rounded skillset in academic research, Microsoft Office (especially Excel), leadership, team management, time management, detail orientation, multitasking, adaptability, reliability, and strong communication, among others.

• Member of the Sigma Alpha Lambda Honors Society, 03/01/21
• Dean’s list student for the Spring 2021 semester, 06/15/21
• Semester academic honors for the Fall 2020 semester
• Semester academic honors for the Spring 2023 semester
• Member of the Honors College at UMBC, 07/02/21, 12/21/23
• American College of Musicians – National Honor Roll of Guild Teachers, 2022, 2023
• Certificate of Completion – UMBC Emerging Leaders Program, 09/16/23
• Undergraduate Research Award, 06/01/23
• Master's Degree Transfer Approval - 2024
• Volunteer Graduate Research Assistant in Dr. Jaime Madrigano's Research Group - 2025
• Awarded the Master's Tuition Reduction Full Scholarship - 2025

1. Greater Baltimore Climate Summit: Baltimore, MD - November 12, 2024

• Attended a series of panel discussions and breakout sessions - with organizations like the Environmental Protection Agency - focused on tackling issues related to climate change globally, nationally, and locally

2. Citizens Climate Lobby Annual Conference: Washington, DC & Hybrid - June 11-13, 2022

• Attended a series of events related to CCL work that focused on grassroots advocacy, outreach training, navigating the divide between political parties in the environmental movement, etc.

3. IUCN Global Youth Summit: Virtual on April 5 - 16, 2021

• Attended a series of online conferences related to environmental sustainability and conservation
• Organized a side-event on climate change through CCL as an introduction to the organization and to recruit members

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

MASTER OF SCIENCE (ScM) THESIS: November 2024 - May 2026

Topic: Lead Pipe Identification in Baltimore City: Protecting the Public’s Health from Drinking Water Contamination

• Description: Conducting a county-level analysis of annual blood lead surveillance data (1998 - 2023) as provided in official reports by the MDE to discover trends, reporting gaps, and disparities in childhood blood lead levels using various methodology outlined in secondary data analysis

VOLUNTEER GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT: August - November, 2025

Research Team: Dr. Jaime Madrigano’s Research Group

• Topic: Assessing Neighborhood, Structural, and Climatic Determinants of Heat Vulnerability in New Orleans, Louisiana - Shifali Mathews’ Dissertation Proposal
• Assisted PhD student Shifali Matthews on her dissertation proposal by revisiting the list of neighborhood-level effect modifiers for Aim 2 to conduct work such as searching for alternatives/additional factors or noting strengths/limitations of each data source

University of Maryland, Baltimore County

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SCHOLAR: 2021-2023

Topic: How Extreme Heat Negatively Impacts Underprivileged Communities: Case Study in Baltimore City  

• Planned to partner with a local community in Baltimore City to introduce a heat monitoring educational campaign that would teach residents the practical and theoretical skills necessary to gauge the presence and spots of extreme heat within their community.
• Prepared to purchase heat monitoring gadgets for residents to use to practice testing for the presence of heat waves around the neighborhood. This would be afforded via UMBC URCAD funding, which I secured.
• Hoped to apply the skills and knowledge further to implement documented proof of the community’s necessity for governmental intervention and assistance in order to garner political support and resources for their wellbeing.

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

1. Bloomberg Campus Ambassador: 2025-2026

2. "Pathways to Public Health" Podcast Speaker: September, 2025

• Spoke to Lauren Black from Student Affairs about my journey towards choosing to pursue public health for my higher education/future career

3. Leadership Session by Dr. Tanya Johnson Speaker: November 19, 2025

• Spoke on the importance of proper faculty mentoring on a student’s academic journey

University of Maryland, Baltimore County

4. Student Government Association Officer: 2022-2023

• Senator: 2023
• Director of Sustainability: 2022-2023

5. Geography and Environmental Systems, Council of Majors Officer: 2021-2023

• Liaison: 2021-2022
• President: 2022-2023

6. CAHSS Undergraduate Student Advisory Board Member: 2022-2023

7. CDCL 2022 Political Engagement Network Officer: 2022

8. UMBC Fall 2022 Sustainable Fashion Show Organizer, Coordinator, & Director: 2022