Research

Research Publications

2026

Snyder, C.; Liyana Pathiranage, A. Art of Hair Bleaching: A Scientific Exploration. J. Chem. Educ. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.5c01131

2025

Cromwell, A.; Schmick, D.; Lynch, H.; Liyana Pathiranage, A. Soxhlet Extraction and Analysis of Spices through Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectroscopy. J. Chem. Educ. 2025, 102 (5), 2407-2413. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jchemed.4c01227

2024

Beck, E.; Liyana Pathiranage, A. Enhancing Chemical Education through an Epoxy Resin Crafting Activity. J. Chem. Educ. 2024, 101 (11), 1234-1240. Peer Reviewed. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.3c01314

2023

Liyana Pathiranage, A.; Lynch, H.; Authement, C.; Maczko, A.; Parker, M.; Beaty, K. Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Cannabis: Undergraduate Organic Chemistry Laboratory Exercise. J. Chem. Educ. 2023, 100 (3), 1303-1312. Peer Reviewed. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.2c00966

2022

Pan, M. B.; Hughes, C. S.; Lynch, H. N.; Schilling, M. M.; Liyana Pathiranage, A. Investigation of Cinnamaldehyde Derivatives as Potential Organic UV Filters. Journal of Chemistry 2022, 2022, 1-7. Peer Reviewed. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/7010428

2021

Lynch, H. N.; Harnage, A. H.; Liyana Pathiranage, A. Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Derivatives of Dibenzalacetone Aldol Products. J. Chem. Educ. 2021, 98 (11), 3572-3579. Peer Reviewed. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.1c00595

2020

Patel, P. H.; Conrad, K. L.; Pathiranage, A.; Hiatt, L. A. Practical Applications of Organic Chemistry: Improving Student Knowledge of GC–MS through Qualitative Analysis of Nicotine in Electronic Cigarette Vapors. J. Chem. Educ. 2020, 97 (11), 4117- 4122. Peer Reviewed. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.0c00179

2019

Pathiranage, A. L.; Pan, M.; Osborne, M.; Maczko, A.; Hiatt, L. Utilizing HIV-1 Protease Inhibitor Drugs to Teach Drug Discovery and Molecular Modelling in the Organic Chemistry Lab. Chem Educator 2019, 24, 102–106. https://online.ucpress.edu/tce/article-abstract/24/1/102/214648/Utilizing-HIV-1-Protease-Inhibitor-Drugs-to-Teach?redirectedFrom=fulltext

2018

Pathiranage, A. L.; Martin, L. J.; Osborne, M.; Meaker, K. Esterification, Purification and Identification of Cinnamic Acid Esters. Journal of Laboratory Chemical Education 2018, 6 (5), 156–158. Peer Reviewed. DOI: http://article.sapub.org/10.5923.j.jlce.20180605.03.html

2016

Pathiranage, A.; Stubblefield, J. M.; Zhou, X.; Miao, J.; Newsome, A. L.; Dunlap, N. Antitrypanosomal Activity of Iridals from Iris domestica. Phytochemistry Letters 2016, 18, 44–50. Not Peer Reviewed. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.phytol.2016.08.025.

2014

Dunlap, N.; Salyard, T. L. J.; Pathiranage, A.; Stubblefield, J.; Pitts, S. L.; Ashley, R. E.; Osheroff, N. Synthesis and Evaluation of Ether-Linked Demethylepipodophyllotoxin Dimers. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 2014, 24 (24), 5627–5629. Peer Reviewed. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bmcl.2014.10.082

2011
Dunlap, N.; Lankford, K. R.; Pathiranage, A.; Taylor, J.; Reddy, N.; Gouger, D.; Singer, P.; Griffin, K.; Reibenspies, J. Three-Step Synthesis of Cyclopropyl Peptidomimetics. Org. Lett. 2011, 13 (18), 4879–4881. Peer Reviewed. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ol201828u.

Patent

Liyana Pathiranage, A.; Dunlap. N.; Newsome, A.; Stubblefield, J. Anti-trypanosomal compounds and methods. Patent number: WO 2017004215 A1; Application Number: PCT/US2016/040112

Grants

APSU SASI GRANT : Molecule of the Month (2025-2026)

An APSU SASI Grant of $500 was awarded for the 2025–2026 academic year to support the Molecule of the Month project in collaboration with Dr. Cody Covington. The project engaged students in building chemical structures using 3D-printed molecular models. Students submitted images of completed molecules for monthly prizes, promoting hands-on learning, student engagement, and interest in chemistry outside the classroom. Additional information is available in the 2025–2026 Funded SASI Proposals

APSU SASI GRANT: The Hidden Life of Spices: Chemistry in Every Thread (Celebrate National Chemistry Week 2025) (2025-2026)

An APSU SASI Grant of $400 was awarded for the 2025–2026 academic year to support The Hidden Life of Spices: Chemistry in Every Thread as part of National Chemistry Week 2025 activities. The project engaged students in celebrating chemistry through educational presentations and chemistry-themed T-shirt printing activities designed to increase student participation and public interest in chemistry. Additional information is available in the 2025–2026 Funded SASI Proposals

APSU SASI GRANT: Mycorrhizal Fungi Collection and Preservation Initiative (2025-2026)

An APSU SASI Grant of $1,000 was awarded for the 2025–2026 academic year to support the Mycorrhizal Fungi Collection and Preservation Initiative in collaboration with Dr. Niranga Wickramarathne. The project provided students with hands-on experience in preserving agricultural and biological specimens using epoxy resin techniques for long-term educational and display purposes. APSU student Sarah Tupan actively participated in the project and contributed to the collection and preservation activities. Additional information is available in the 2025–2026 Funded SASI Proposals

APSU SASI GRANT: T-Shirt Tie-Dye: Learn about Chemistry Behind Indigo Dye (2024-2025)

An APSU SASI Grant of $500 was awarded for the 2024–2025 academic year to support the project T-Shirt Tie-Dye: Learn about the Chemistry Behind Indigo Dye. This project provided students with hands-on experience in indigo tie-dyeing while introducing the chemistry of indigo dyes, color formation, and natural dyeing processes. Additional information is available in the 2024–2025 Funded SASI Proposals: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.apsu.edu/faculty-senate/documents/sasi_reports/2024-2025_Funded_SASI-Proposals.pdf

APSU SASI GRANT: Molecule of the month (2024-2025)

During the 2024–2025 academic year, an APSU SASI Grant of $800 was awarded to support the Molecule of the Month project in collaboration with Dr. Manisha Gupte from the Departments of Chemistry and Biology. This interdisciplinary project provided students with monthly hands-on activities and educational projects designed to strengthen the connection between chemistry and biology through collaborative learning experiences. Additional information is available in the 2024–2025 Funded SASI Proposals: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.apsu.edu/faculty-senate/documents/sasi_reports/2024-2025_Funded_SASI-Proposals.pdf

Funded

Pathiranage, A., Cromwell, A., "Analysis and Synthesis of Curcumin and its Derivatives," Sponsored by APSU student research grant (SRG), Austin Peay State University, $1,250.00. (2023 - 2024).

Pathiranage, A. (Principal), Gupte, M. N. (Principal), "Molecule of the Month," Sponsored by Austin Peay State University, Austin Peay State University, $850.00. (June 2023 - June 2024).

Pathiranage, A. (Principal), Samadi-Dana, S. (Co-Principal), "Grant Proposal for Advancing Organic and Biochemistry Education at Austin Peay State University Through Virtual Reality (VR) Technology," Sponsored by CoSTEM Innovative Teaching Mini-grant Austin Peay State University, Austin Peay State University, $1,500.00. (October 2023 - Present).

Pathiranage, A. (Principal), "T-Shirt Tie Dye: SASI GRANT," Sponsored by Austin Peay State University, Austin Peay State University, $400.00. (July 2023).

Pathiranage, A. L. (Principal), "STEM Scholar Lunch and Learn," Sponsored by Austin Peay State University, SASI grant, Austin Peay State University, $2,000.00. (2022 ).

Pathiranage, A. L. (Principal), Parker, M., "Analysis of Cannabis Using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)," Sponsored by Undergraduate Research Enrichment Funding (UREF), APSU, Austin Peay State University, $3,000.00.

Pathiranage, A. L. (Co-Principal), Hiatt, L. (Principal), Meagan Mann, M. M. (Co-Principal), "Quinone Modified Carbon Paste Electrodes for the Detection of Nicotine in E-cig," Sponsored by Research Support Grant Program, APSU, Austin Peay State University, $5,000.00. (2018)

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse