Mr. Minura Samaranayake | Bioinformatics | Best Researcher Award
Mr. Zhishui You | Brain-Computer Interface – South Dakota State University | United States
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Minura Samaranayake is a versatile engineer and researcher with a strong foundation in software development and satellite image processing. Currently pursuing a Master’s in Electrical Engineering at South Dakota State University, he works as a Graduate Research Assistant at the Image Processing Lab, focusing on hyperspectral and multispectral image analysis. He previously worked at Sysco LABS as a Software Engineer, building scalable cloud-based systems and AI-driven applications. Proficient in Java, Python, MATLAB, and AWS, Minura excels at creating robust pipelines and intelligent systems that bridge scientific research and real-world engineering.
🎓 Education
Minura is currently enrolled in the M.S. Electrical Engineering program at South Dakota State University (2023–2025), studying Machine Learning, Optical Sensors, and Deep Learning. He earned his B.Sc. in Computer Science from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (2018–2022), where he focused on Software Project Management, Functional Programming, and Image Processing. He received the Prize for Excellence in Computer Science and was listed on the Dean’s List. His education merges theoretical depth with applied skills in software engineering and signal processing.
💼 Experience
Minura has experience in both academia and industry. At SDSU, he developed automated Linux pipelines for radiometric calibration, MTF estimation, and hyperspectral analysis. At Sysco LABS, he built REST APIs and microservices using Java (Spring Boot), integrated Apache Kafka, and automated CI/CD with Docker and GitHub Actions. He also developed an AI-based safety wear detection system with TensorFlow. His contributions span scientific research and enterprise-grade solutions, showcasing his technical versatility and team collaboration skills.
🏅 Awards and Honors
Minura has received recognition for both academic excellence and leadership. He was awarded the Prize for Excellence in Computer Science (2022) and made the Dean’s List. In addition, he was the Rugby Team Captain (2021) at the University of Peradeniya. These honors reflect his multifaceted capabilities, commitment to personal development, and ability to balance academics and extracurriculars.
🔬 Research Focus
Minura’s research centers on satellite sensor calibration, particularly hyperspectral and multispectral imagery. At SDSU, he specializes in Trend-to-Trend cross-calibration, MTF modeling, and spectral band adjustment. He works with EPICS targets to ensure the harmonization of sensors like Landsat and Sentinel. His research supports global monitoring applications in climate, agriculture, and environmental science. His peer-reviewed publication in Remote Sensing underlines his scientific contributions and commitment to data accuracy in Earth observation.
📚 Selected Publication
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Authors: Minura Samaranayake, Morakot Kaewmanee, Larry Leigh, Juliana Fajardo Rueda
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Journal: Remote Sensing
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Year: 2025