Faculty Profiles

Colleges and Departments

Dr. Sunethra Dharmasiri

  • Professor of Instruction - Biology

Biography and expertise

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.

Education

Doctorate Degree

PhD in Botanical Science

Univ of Hawaii at Manoa, 1995

Master's Degree

MS in Botanical Science

Univ of Hawaii at Manoa, 1990

Bachelor's Degree

BS in Botany

University of Peradeniya, 1982

Teaching Interests

Research Interests

Patents

  • “DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF MODIFIED PLANTS AND SEEDS THAT ARE RESISTANT TO PICOLINATE HERBICIDES AND ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS.” Nihal Dharmasiri, Sunethra Dharmasiri, Praveen Kathare. Regular, #EFS ID: 31019628.
    Date applied: 11/21/2017, Date awarded: 07/02/2021
  • Nihal Dharmasiri, Sunethra Dharmasiri, Praveen Kathare.
    Date applied: 11/20/2018, Date awarded: 04/07/2021
  • 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.
  • Weerakkody, H. N., Opara, I. E., Acharjya, P., Dharmasiri, S., & Dharmasiri, N. (n.d.). Simplified in-vitro assay for testing auxin activity of chemicals using direct protein-protein interaction. In Methods in Molecular Biology: Plant hormone methods and protocols. Springer Nature.
  • 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/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
View all scholarly/creative works
  • 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
  1. Member

    Greenhouse Committee

  2. Other

    Plant Biology Society

  3. Member

    Marketing and Development Committee

  4. Organizer

    Biology Exhibits, CoSE Welcome Week Openhouse

  5. Member

    NLF Evaluation Committee

  6. Judge

    SSASPB Annual Conference, undergraduate poster competition

  7. View all activities