Environmental research · sustainability consulting · scientific writing

Evidence that
moves ideas
forward.

I help organisations and research teams turn complex environmental science into credible reports, clear decisions, and stories that matter.

Explore selected work ↓Discuss a project ↗

MScEnvironmental
Management

2Research
publications

7+Years across research
& environmental work

Sanali Jayalath conducting laboratory research

Graduate research

PHA biopolymers from fruit-industry waste

SCIENCE FOR PRACTICAL ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS

Research shaped through work withUNDP–GEFUniversity of MoratuwaGoethe-InstitutACS Omega

01 — About

Curiosity is where my work begins.

I explore how nature works—and turn that understanding into evidence, materials, and practical environmental solutions.

I’m Sanali Jayalath, an environmental researcher, sustainability consultant, and published researcher based in Sri Lanka. My work connects environmental research with the people, organisations, and decisions it can serve.

From microbial biopolymers and waste valorisation to wetland restoration, biodiversity, and sustainability reporting, I bring research depth to every assignment—then translate it into writing that is precise, useful, and human.

Follow my research journey →

A forest stream representing Sanali's connection between scientific research and the natural world

Curiosity · observation · purpose

Research philosophy

Research, for me, begins with curiosity about how nature already works.

I find it genuinely interesting to spend time in the laboratory—watching small changes, asking why a material behaves as it does, and discovering what feels like the never-ending wonders of nature.

My path moves across biology, chemistry, environmental engineering, microbiology, and materials science. That movement feels natural to me: environmental challenges do not stay inside one discipline, and some of the most useful ideas appear at the spaces between them.

Fieldwork keeps that curiosity grounded. Whether I am documenting biodiversity, working around wetlands, visiting an infrastructure site, or testing a new biomaterial, I am guided by the same question: how can human activity work more intelligently with the natural world?

What this means in practiceObserve carefully. Question assumptions. Learn from failed samples. Communicate evidence clearly.

02 — Publications

Research made
open and useful.

Peer-reviewed scholarship on biodegradable materials, waste-derived feedstocks, microbial production, and pathways towards a circular bioeconomy.

FIRST-AUTHOR PUBLICATION

ACSOmega

Volume 10 · Issue 30
Pages 32564–32586 · 2025

OPEN ACCESS

Peer-reviewed review article · American Chemical Society

PHA, the Greenest Plastic So Far: Advancing Microbial Synthesis, Recovery, and Sustainable Applications for Circularity

Sanali Upeksha Jayalath & Ajith Priyal de Alwis

A comprehensive review of microbial PHA biosynthesis, recovery, material applications, and the integration of biodegradable biopolymers into circular-economy systems.

DOI 10.1021/acsomega.5c00684PMID 40787410PMCID PMC12332672

ACS journal page ↗PubMed record ↗PMC full text ↗Open PDF ↓

PUBLISHED · 2022

Polyhydroxyalkanoates from Fruit Wastes: A Sustainable Panacea for Plastic Crisis!

Sanali Jayalath, P. Kothalawala, A. de Alwis, T. Keerthisinghe, S. Costa & L. Wijerathna · BPRM, 2(2)

DOI 10.31705/BPRM.v2(2).2022.3 ↗

RESEARCH PIPELINE

Under review & in preparation

Under reviewThe Potential of Improved Biomass Cookstoves to Reduce Carbon Emissions in Tea Estates
In preparationAn Overview of Biochar Practices in Sri Lanka: Feedstock Availability, Research Progress, Opportunities, and Challenges

03 — Expertise & services

Ways I can help

Focused support for consultancies, climate and sustainability teams, research groups, NGOs, and science-led businesses.

Sustainability & ESG Writing

Evidence-led sustainability reports, disclosures, research briefs, and environmental narratives for organisations that need substance as well as clarity.

ESG research
Climate & nature
Report writing

Environmental Technical Writing

Clear, defensible technical content on circular economy, waste, water, biodiversity, pollution, and sustainable materials.

Technical reports
White papers
Policy briefs

Scientific Research Support

Ethical research support—from structured literature searches and evidence synthesis to scientific editing, references, and journal-ready formatting.

Literature reviews
Manuscript editing
Fact-checking

04 — Selected work

Research into real-world value

Selected projects showing how I investigate, synthesise, and communicate complex environmental challenges.

CASE STUDY / 01

Sanali presenting the PHA production pathway from waste biomass through fermentation and extraction

Sanali preparing pineapple and watermelon waste as feedstock for PHA biopolymer research

Research presentation

Fruit-industry waste → PHA biopolymer

Circular materials · biotechnology

Turning fruit-industry waste into biodegradable PHA biopolymers

Research exploring microbial PHA production using fruit waste as a feedstock—connecting fermentation, downstream recovery, material characterisation, and circular-economy thinking.

Approach: Bacterial fermentation, waste pretreatment, recovery, FTIR, UV–Vis & SEM
Outcome: Industry-linked recommendations and peer-reviewed research outputs
Focus: Lower-impact materials, waste valorisation & scalable circular systems

Read the related publication ↗

Sanali wearing laboratory safety goggles during PHA research — LABORATORY PRACTICECareful experimental work, observation, and documented analysis

Collage documenting the PHA research workflow, including microbial cultures, assays, microscopy, fermentation, and fruit-waste preparation — PHA RESEARCH WORKFLOWFrom microbial screening and fermentation to analytical observation

02 / ECOSYSTEMS

Urban wetland restoration & biodiversity monitoring

Project coordination, ecological baselines, stakeholder communication, and environmental documentation for UNDP–GEF-supported restoration work.

03 / CIRCULAR INDUSTRY

Recovered carbon black characterisation

Coordinated laboratory testing, sample chain-of-custody, technical documentation, and interpretation for waste-plastic and tyre-pyrolysis outputs.

Sanali Jayalath presenting environmental project work to an audience — Presenting environmental project work

Project communication · stakeholder engagement

Taking environmental work beyond the report

My project experience has also involved presenting findings, explaining environmental priorities, and helping diverse audiences understand how evidence connects to practical action.

Environmental project presentations and public communication
Stakeholder coordination across community, institutional, and technical groups
Clear translation of field observations, project progress, and recommendations

05 — Methods & professional development

Analytical practice,
carefully represented.

My experience spans hands-on laboratory research, environmental analysis, coordination of specialist testing, and continuing education across climate, artificial intelligence, and green chemistry.

01 / HANDS-ON

Laboratory & environmental methods

Methods applied directly through research and field practice.

FTIR spectroscopy, UV–Vis spectrophotometry & SEM characterisation
Bacterial fermentation, culture work, CFU enumeration & growth kinetics
DNS assay, cellular dry weight, gravimetric analysis & microscopy
Water-quality sampling, pH, conductivity, salinity, turbidity, TSS, TDS & TS

02 / COORDINATED & INTERPRETED

Advanced analytical characterisation

Specialist testing coordinated with accredited laboratories and research institutions, alongside technical-report review.

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) & BET surface-area analysis
X-ray diffraction (XRD) & particle-size distribution (PSD)
Carbon–hydrogen elemental and sulphur analysis
Heavy-metal analysis & analytical chain-of-custody documentation

03 / FORMAL TRAINING

Instrumental analysis development

Advanced workshop training through SLAAS and the University of Kelaniya.

ICP–MS principles and sample-preparation workflows
Gas chromatography (GC)
High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
Analytical procedures and troubleshooting concepts

SELECTED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Learning that supports the work

University of HelsinkiElements of Artificial IntelligenceAI foundations, reasoning, applications & limitations ↗UNU-IAS · UN CC:LearnNet Zero 101: What, Why and HowClimate science, impacts, mitigation & net-zero action ↗

UNIDO · NCPC Sri LankaChemicals Management, Green Chemistry & Chemical LeasingSafer chemicals and resource-efficient industrial practice

University of MoratuwaResearch Methodology & Scientific WritingEvidence synthesis, research design & scholarly communication

06 — Research journey

A practice built
across field, lab,
and page.

Each chapter has strengthened the same ability: to understand environmental complexity and communicate what should happen next.

2018—2020

Environmental Research Officer

Wetland restoration, biodiversity monitoring, environmental assessments, and donor-funded project coordination.

2021—2023

Graduate Research

Microbial PHA production from fruit-industry waste, laboratory analysis, and industry-connected research.

2023—2024

Technical Writer

Evidence-based articles on circular economy, chemical safety, biomimicry, and environmental science.

2024—2025

Technical & Environmental Business Analysis

Analytical testing coordination, technical proposals, environmental compliance, and waste valorisation.

2025—Now

Independent Research & Consulting

Sustainability reporting, circular materials research, scientific communication, and seaweed-derived biomaterials.

07 — Field & laboratory practice

Evidence gathered
where it happens.

My work moves between laboratory research, ecological observation, environmental assessment, and practical community action. These images document that range—not as decoration, but as part of the evidence behind my writing and recommendations.

Sanali conducting detailed laboratory bench work — **Laboratory practice**Focused experimental observation and documentation

Sanali conducting ecological fieldwork beside a mature tree — **Ecological fieldwork**Site observation, vegetation, and environmental context

Environmental assessment site visit at an infrastructure project — **Infrastructure assessment**Field coordination and environmental compliance

Butterfly recorded during biodiversity field observation — **Biodiversity observation**Species and habitat documentation

Environmental field team working together in safety equipment — **Interdisciplinary field teams**Collaborative environmental monitoring

Sanali participating in an environmental cleanup activity — **Environmental action**Community cleanup and responsible waste practices

08 — Nature enthusiast

Curiosity that begins
outside the laboratory.

My interest in nature is not separate from my professional work—it is where much of that work begins. Observing wildlife, photographing small details, exploring marine environments, and taking part in conservation and community action continually renew the questions I bring back to research.

“The more closely I observe nature, the more possibilities I see for working with it rather than against it.”

Butterflies gathered in a natural habitat — Wonder in the smallest details

A close and gentle interaction with an elephant — Respect for living systems

Sanali photographing wildlife outdoors — Observation through a lens

Sanali exploring a marine environment underwater — Marine exploration

Sanali observing an elephant in a forested landscape — Wildlife observation

Sanali participating in turtle conservation work — Hands-on conservation

Sanali collecting waste during a community environmental cleanup — Care expressed through action

A quiet moment observing the ocean — Space to observe and reflect

09 — Material exploration

Seaweed into new material possibilities

A rapid, hands-on exploration of seaweed-derived bioleather during the Elemental Imprints Bio Design Lab. These are early prototypes—not finished products—developed over only a few days to test formulation, flexibility, drying behaviour, texture, and the value of learning through material failure.

Sanali presenting seaweed-derived biomaterial samples outdoors — Presenting the first material samples

Sanali presenting her PHA and waste-to-biomaterial research — Connecting prior PHA research with the material experiment

Early seaweed bioleather touch samples and documented failed attempts — Touch samples and failed attempts—both part of the learning process

PROTOTYPE SPRINT · 2026

Learning by making

The samples still need refinement in consistency, strength, and finish. Their value at this stage is evidence of a promising direction: an iterative material system that can be improved through formulation, controlled drying, and further characterisation.

Seaweed-derived formulations
Biofilm and bioleather exploration
Texture and flexibility observation
Circular, biodegradable material thinking

View Goethe-Institut profile ↗

PROCESS NOTES / JAFFNA LAGOON

From shoreline observation to material sample

A short visual record of the practical stages behind the prototypes: understanding the source material, preparing it, testing formulations, and documenting what each attempt revealed.

Sanali observing and documenting seaweed at the shoreline — 01Shoreline observation

Sanali learning about seaweed handling aboard a small boat — 02Local material knowledge

Sanali sorting and preparing seaweed biomass for material trials — 03Biomass preparation

An early translucent seaweed-derived material strip — 04Early flexible trial

Seaweed material trials and samples documented during the Bio Design Lab — 05Iterations and failures

Seaweed-derived touch samples showing variations in texture and colour — 06Touch samples

10 — Contact

Have a complex idea?
Let’s make it clear.

I’m available for selected sustainability, environmental writing, and scientific research-support projects—as well as research collaborations and PhD opportunities.

Start a conversation ↗

Email ↗LinkedIn ↗PubMed ↗

Evidence thatmoves ideasforward.