Faculty Profile for Dr. Sunethra Dharmasiri

profile photo for Dr. Sunethra Dharmasiri
Dr. Sunethra Dharmasiri
Professor of Instruction — Biology
SUPP 380
phone: (512) 245-2178
Scholarly/Creative Work
Awards
Grants
Service

Biography Section

Biography and Education

 I received BS (Hons.) degree in Sri Lanka, and MS and PhD degrees from the University of Hawaii. After working for several years as a tenured faculty member at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, I moved back to US in 1998 for postdoctoral fellowships at UT, Austin and IU, Bloomington, before joining Texas State University in 2005.

Teaching Interests

 Molecular and Cellular Biology
Botany
Plant Physiology

Research Interests

 Plant developmental biology, Stress physiology, Molecular genetics

Selected Scholarly/Creative Work

  • Kathare, P. K., Dharmasiri, S., Arellano, I., & Dharmasiri, N. (2020). Interaction of SAUR53 and its close homologs with Calmodulin may play a role in early development in Arabidopsis. Plant Molecular Biology Reporter, 38, 343–351. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11105-020-01199-x
  • Kathare, P., Dharmasiri, S., Arellano, I., & Dharmasiri, N. (2020). Interaction of SAUR53 and Its Close Homologs with Calmodulin May Play a Role in Early Development in Arabidopsis. Plant Molecular Biology Reporter, 38(2), 343–351. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s11105-020-01199-x
  • Kathare, P. K., Dharmasiri, S., Vincill, E., Routray, P., Ahmad, I., Roberts, D. M., & Dharmasiri, N. (2019). Arabidopsis PIC30 encodes a Major Facilitator Superfamily (MFS) transporter responsible for the uptake of picolinate herbicides. The Plant Journal. https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.14608.
  • Kathare, P. K., Dharmasiri, S., & Dharmasiri, N. (2018). SAUR53 regulates organ elongation and apical hook development in Arabidopsis. Plant Signaling & Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1080/15592324.2018.1514896
  • Kathare, P. K., Cioffi, T. J., Dharmasiri, N., & Dharmasiri, S. (2017). Auxin. Essentials for Life Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470015902.a0020090.pub2

Selected Awards

  • Award / Honor Recipient: College Achievement for Excellence in Teaching, CoSE, Texas State University. August 17, 2023
  • Award / Honor Nominee: Teaching Award of Honor, Alumni Association of Texas State University. April 2022
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Award for Best PhD Research Presentation, University of Hawaii. April 1994
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Award for Best Research Presentation in Plant Molecular Physiology, University of Hawaii. April 1994

Selected Grants

  • Dharmasiri, Nihal (Principal), Dharmasiri, Sunethra (Co-Principal). Functions of SAUR genes in auxin response, Texas State University, Texas State University, $14500. (Submitted: 2006, Funded: 2006 - 2007). Grant.
  • Dharmasiri, Nihal (Principal), Dharmasiri, Sunethra (Co-Principal). Functions of SAUR genes in auxin response., Texas State University, $14500.00. (Funded: 2006 - 2007). Grant.

Selected Service Activities

Member
Greenhouse Committee
June 2023-Present
Faculty Adviser
Plant Biology Society
November 2017-Present
Member
Marketing and Development Committee
August 2017-Present
Organizer
Biology Exhibits, CoSE Welcome Week Openhouse
August 17, 2023
Member
NLF Evaluation Committee
October 1, 2022-May 1, 2023