CAREER SUMMARY
- Overview
-
Senior academic with 18 years of experience in tertiary education across Australia and Sri Lanka. My expertise spans Cyber Security, Networking, and Machine Learning, encompassing technical, research, and teaching domains. Over the past 13 years, I have supervised more than 200 undergraduate and 30 postgraduate dissertations, demonstrating my strong commitment to academic mentorship.
I have a proven track record in curriculum development, revision, and localization, ensuring that programs meet diverse educational needs and standards. Additionally, I have successfully negotiated and developed transnational academic partnerships, fostering collaboration and exchange between institutions. My experience extends to leadership, management, and administration within higher education, where I have effectively led teams, managed projects, and contributed to the overall strategic vision of academic institutions.
-
- Experience
- SLIIT Uni - Sri Lanka
- 2024 - Current - Cluster Lead - Information Assurance and Security Research Cluster
- 2023 - Current - Assistant Professor
- 2023 - Current - Program Coordinator (MSc - Cybersecurity) | Faculty of Computing
- 2022 - 2023 - Senior Lecturer (HG) | Faculty of Computing
- 2022 - 2023 - Program Coordinator (MSc - IS) | Faculty of Computing
- 2022 - 2023 - Coordinator (CDAP) | Faculty of Computing
- APIIT - Sri Lanka
- 2021 - 2022 - Head | Cybersecurity and Cloud Computing Research Lab
- 2014 - 2022 - Senior Lecturer | School of Computing
- 2017 - 2022 - Final Year Project Coordinator | School of Computing
- 2016 - 2019 - Head | School of Computing
- 2014 - 2016 - Award Coordinator | School of Computing
- Deakin University - Australia
- 2013 - 2013 - Research Assistant
- 2008 - 2013 - Sessional Lecturer
- SLIIT Uni - Sri Lanka
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
- PhD In Computing (2008 - 2012) - Deakin University, Australia
- Research Domains - Cybersecurity, Networking and IOT
- BBIT (Hons) (2004 - 2007) - Deakin University, Australia
HONOURS AND AWARDS
- Judge of "National Best Quality Software Awards" (NBQSA) for years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023
- Recipient of "Australian Government Research Training Program (AGRTP)" scholarship for PhD
- Inducted into the Golden Key Honor Society
- Placed on Deans List for Undergraduate Degree
- Awarded AINTEC 2024 Travel grant - 2000 USD
- Awarded SLIIT research grants for the years:
- 2002 - Principal Investigator - 400,000 LKR
- 2003 - Co-Investigator - 400,000 LKR
- 2004 - Principle Investigator - 500,000 LKR
RESEARCH INTERESTS AND MEMBERSHIP
Research Interests
- Machine Learning/Deep Learning (ML/DL)
- Cyber Security (CS)
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Networking and Network Security
- Cloud Computing
Memberships
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
- Senior Member of Institute of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (SMIEEE)
- Member of Institution of Engineering and Technology (MIET)
- Member of the Australian Computer Society (MACS)
- Committee Member - IEEE ComSoc Society - Sri Lanka Chapter (2024)
RESEARCH CLUSTERS
Information Assurance & Security (IAS)
A hub for cutting-edge cybersecurity research, addressing threats in blockchain, data privacy, and network security through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative governance frameworks.
Centre of Excellence for AI (CEAI)
A multidisciplinary initiative advancing AI research in machine learning, NLP, and big data analytics to solve complex global challenges and drive intelligent decision-making.
ONGOING RESEARCH
Personal Research
- Deep Learning Based Prediction of the Properties of Nanoparticles for Use in Healthcare
- Deep Learning for Network Attack Detection on Resource Constrainted Edge Devices
- A Framework for Improving Youth Social Media Users’ Cyber-Risk Profile
- Use of autonomous drones to detect physical faults in high voltage insulators
- A framework for securing teaching LLMs against prompt injection attacks
MPhil Supervision
- A novel DNA-based quantum-safe encryption algorithm for IoT devices - Deemantha Siriwardena
- Securing Autonomous Vehicle Communications and Privacy: Novel Approaches to V2V Trust - Niranjan Meegammana
- Enhancing the Accuracy and Security of Federated Learning Systems - Kaushalya Rajapakse
- Acoustic-Based Fault Detection and Diagnosis in Automotive Engines - Nelum Amarasena
- Enhancing Mobile Forensic Analysis of Social Networking Applications on Android Smartphones through Intelligent Data Analytics and Cognitive Computing - Ayesha Wijesooriya
PUBLICATIONS
-
Securing IoT Servers: Strategies for Employing Shallow and Deep Neural Networks
N. Meegammana, H. Fernando , (25th ICTer International Conference)
-
Securing IoT Servers: Shallow vs. Deep Neural Network Architectures
N. Meegammana, H. Fernando,
-
Handwritten Prescription Recognition Using VGG Based Architecture with Bi-LSTM
Isuru Kavinda, Harinda Fernando, (2024 International Research Conference on Smart Computing and Systems Engineering (SCSE))
-
Enhancing Automated Android Application Security through Hybrid Static and Dynamic Analysis Techniques
GE Manukulasooriya, RSI Munasingha, Harinda Fernando, HKI Uthpali, AVSH Yeshani, Deemantha Siriwardana, (5th International Congress on Human-Computer Interaction, Optimization and Robotic Applications (HORA))
-
Eelanila Thayalan, Ayingaran Arumugavel, Sharujan Ganeshan, Makenthiran Dalaxshan, Harinda Fernando, Kaushalya Rajapakse
Eelanila Thayalan, Ayingaran Arumugavel, Sharujan Ganeshan, Makenthiran Dalaxshan, Harinda Fernando, Kaushalya Rajapakse, (2024 International Congress on Human-Computer Interaction, Optimization and Robotic Applications (HORA))
-
Intelligent CCTV-Based Motorbike Theft Detection System in Bike Parks with 3D Slot Identification and Posture Monitoring
WAPN Weerasinghe, NH Kalupahana, MRM Shifak, WMDP Gunathilake, Harinda Fernando, Samanthi ER Siriwardana, (2024 9th International Conference on Information Technology Research (ICITR))
-
Combating Digital Deception: Machine Learning Approaches for Detecting Political Misinformation and Clickbait on Social Media
Dewmini Harindi, Nirmal Perera, Chamath Liyanage, Hirushini Dematagoda, Harinda Fernando, Samadhi Rathnayake, (2024 6th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC))
-
Machine Learning Based Detection System for Identifying Deepfake Images and Social Bots
Chamath Liyanage, Hirushini Dematgoda, Dewmini Harindi, Nirmal Perera, Harinda Fernando, Samadhi Rathnayake, (2024 6th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC))
-
A Comprehensive Threat Model for Autonomous Vehicle Communication Security
Niranjan W Meegammana, Harinda Fernando, (2024 6th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC))
-
Design and Implementation of a Secure Documentation System for Robust Document Transfer and Access Control
Mishara Jayathilaka, Hiranya Weerasinghe, Kithmi Gunawardana, Pinidu Samarasinghe, Harinda Fernando, Deemantha Siriwardene, (2024 6th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC))
-
Machine Learning-Driven Toolkit for Sinhala Text-to-Speech and Spell Checker
Navindu Praveen, Harinda Fernando, Manori Gamage, (2024 6th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC))
-
Improving Fake News Detection with a Mixture of Experts: Leveraging Sentiment Analysis and Sarcasm Detection as Core Expert Models
T. Gunasekara, D. Thihan, S. Kodithuwakku, D. Dissanayake, , H. Fernando, S. Vidhanaarachchi, A. Sindhujan, (2024 6th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC))
-
Water Quality Assessment of Reservoirs in Sri Lanka
K. Mudunkotuwa, C. Senadeera, B. Gunawardana, O. Pathiraja, D. Wijendra, H. Fernando, (2023 5th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC))
-
Blockchain-Based Decentralized Breast Cancer Patient Monitoring System for Remote Healthcare Security
K. N. Dilshan, H. A. C. K Rathnayake, L. P. T. L. Pathirana, D. H. S. V. Dhanapala, H. Fernando, P. K. W. Abeygunawardhana, (2023 5th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC))
-
Empowering Deaf Children with Sinhala Sign Language, Emotion Detection, and Sound Recognition
W. H. K. Fernando, P. L. D. N. Perera, M. I. N. Fernando, P. T. E. W. Gunasekara, H. Fernando, R. De Zoysa, (2023 5th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC))
-
Electronic Voting System Using Blockchain Technology
T. S. Perera, A. N. Garusinghe, T. S. De Silva, T. K. Senevirathne, K. Y. Abeywardena, H. Fernando, (2023 5th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC))
-
Novel Approach for Enhancing Mental Well-Being Through Machine Learning Techniques
O. V. D. E. Roshani, H. M. K. J. J. Ayuwardhana, P. H. M. S. Rodrigo, R. U. Hewageegana, H. Fernando, D. I. DeSilva, (2023 5th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC))
-
Detection of Network Attacks on Application Servers Using Deep Learning in IoT Environments
N. W. Meegammana, H. Fernando, (2023 5th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC))
-
Deep Learning-Based Approach for Real-Time Traffic Signal Optimization and Vehicle Surveillance
W. L. D. C. K. De Alwis Gunathilake, S. H. Kalansooriya, W. A. P. Shavinda, S. H. K. Madushan, H. Fernando, D. Kasthurirathna, (2023 5th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC))
-
MindRelax: Smart System for Emotion and Mental Stress Monitoring, Detection and Management
S. D. Rajkumar, I. U. Dewpura, P Fernandez, C. Maduka, H. Fernando, S. Rajapakshe, (2023 5th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC))
-
Human, Object and Pose Detection for Theft Prevention through Surveillance System
K. H. Vidanage, H. Fernando, L. Abeywardhana, “International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology” , pp. 160
-
Smart Navigation System for Supermarket
I. R. Senanayake, B.J. D. A. Weerasekara, H.T. A. Siriwardana, N. G. R. P. Ekanayake, H. Fernando, T. Kelegama, “International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology” , pp. 543
-
Integrated Human-Proximity and Recognition for Detecting Smart Object Ownership in Organizational Settings
W. C. Y. S. Lowe, A. P. O. Kithma, H. Fernando, L. Abeywardhana, “International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology” , pp. 185
-
Advancing Canine Health and Care: A Multifaceted Approach using Machine Learning
Y. Wimukthi, H. Kottegoda, D. Andaraweera, P. Palihena, H. Fernando, D. Kasthurirathnae, (5th International Congress on Human-Computer Interaction, Optimization and Robotic Applications (HORA))
-
Emotion and Mentality Monitoring Assistant (EMMA)
I. Kiridena, D. Marasinghe, R. Karunarathne, K. Wijethunga, H. Fernando, (8th International Conference on Communication and Electronics Systems (ICCES))