Thakshila Thilakanayake

Projects and Research

PhD Research: All-Weather Robust Multi-Sensory AI Model for VTOL Navigation

Development of a robust, all-weather image segmentation, odometry, and mapping system using camera, LiDAR, and radar sensor fusion to navigate vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicles.

MPhil Research: Deep Reinforcement Learning for Optimized Household Electricity Scheduling

Development of a deep reinforcement learning algorithm for real-time, optimized appliance scheduling in a time-of-day tariff environment to minimize household electricity costs.

Real-Time Non-Intrusive Domestic Energy Disaggregation Using Deep Learning

A deep learning-based approach to predict the disaggregated power consumption of individual appliances using the total household energy usage over a specific time period.

B.Sc Final Year Project: Stereo Vision-Based System for Robotic Manipulator Position and Orientation Estimation

Development of a stereo vision system for the Fanuc M10 ia/12 robot arm, leveraging machine learning and image processing to estimate the position and orientation of objects for precise pick-and-place tasks.

Professional Skills

Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Image Processing – Scikit-learn, Tensorflow, Keras, PyTorch and OpenCV.
Programming skills – Python, C/C++, Java, JavaScript.
AI Computers, Single Board Computers, FPGA, PLCs and Micro-controller programming.
PCB Designing (Eagle CAD and Altium).
Computer Aided Designing (Solid Works and AutoCAD).

Teamwork/ Leadership Skills

Co-Supervising final year undergraduate projects (2019 to Present)
Coordinated the Curtin University and Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) open days in 2019 and 2020 behalf of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Education

Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering (Reading)

Memorial University,

St.Johns, NL, Canada.

September 2022 to Present

Bachelor of Science of Engineering Honours in Mechanical Engineering (Mechatronics)

(First Class Honours, WGPA – 3.88/4.00, Class Rank: 2/42)

Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), Malabe, Sri Lanka

Sept 2015 to Nov 2018

Work Experience

Graduate Teaching Assistant (Jan 2023 to Present)

Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Co-Founder/Lecturer (May 2020 to Present)

edXcope online learning platform.

Conducting courses and workshops related to Machine Learning, Deep Learning and Image Processing.

Assistant Lecturer (September 2019 to August 2022)

Instructor (January 2019 to September 2019)

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology.
Conducted courses related to computer aided designing (Solid Works and AutoCAD), machine learning, and programming.
Designed laboratory Exercises.
Assisted in curriculum development of courses related to artificial intelligence.

Visiting Lecturer (May 2019 to Jan 2021)

University of Vocational Technology, Sri Lanka.

Conducted modules related to Object Oriented Programming and Microcontrollers

Trainee (Nov 2017 to Jan 2018)

Strechline (Pvt) Ltd. Sri Lanka.

Worked in quality assurance and maintenance departments.
Designed and manufactured an automated fabric inspection machine and a fabric defects identifying software interface using image processing techniques.

Trainee (Nov 2016 to Jan 2017)

SAW Engineering (Pvt) Ltd. Sri Lanka.

Comprehensive training obtained at the automation department concentrating in panel Board manufacturing.
Designed and manufactured a PLC development board, a 2D printer and a polythene bag cutting machine for agricultural purposes.

Volunteer Experience

Guest speaker for Python Programming Workshop organized by the Engineering Research and Innovation Club (ERIC) of the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology, 2021.
Guest speaker for Implementation of Artificial Intelligence in Practical Scenarios Tech Talk Series organized by Trinet Artificizen Sri Lanka, 2021
Guest speaker for Introduction to Machine Learning workshop organized by IEEE Computer Society Student Branch Chapter of Sri Lanka Technological Campus, 2021.
Guest speaker for Workshop on Machine Learning organized by the Computer Science Students' Association of the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2020-2021
Manuscripts reviewing, 2nd and 5th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC) at Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology, Malabe, Sri Lanka in 2020 and 2023.

Awards

Memorial University Annual Research Day 2023 - 3rd place winner
Dean’s List Awards for the following Semesters (BSc. Degree)

2nd Year Semester 1

3rd Year Semester 2

4th Year Semester 1,2

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