Professor Saman Seneweera is the Chair Professor of Agricultural Engineering and Environmental Technology at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna. He is a distinguished figure in plant science, renowned for his extensive research on climate change biology and its implications for global agriculture and sustainability. With an illustrious career spanning over three decades, he has significantly contributed to understanding plant responses to climate change, particularly rising CO2 concentrations, water limitation, and temperature increases, positioning him as a pioneer in this scientific field.

Professor Seneweera began his academic journey at the University of Ruhuna in Sri Lanka, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. Immediately after graduating, he joined the National Institute of Fundamental Studies as a Junior Research Associate, working with world-leading scientists like F.N. Ponnamperuma and Cyril Ponnamperuma. His research interest was sparked by the early work of Professor Ponnamperuma in C3/C4 photosynthesis physiology. Driven by his passion for plant science, he pursued a Ph.D. in Plant Physiology at the University of Western Sydney, Australia, focusing on how rising CO2 concentrations influence photosynthetic carbon metabolism. His early research laid the groundwork for his future endeavors in addressing the impact of climate change on global food and nutrient security and the sustainability of agricultural systems.

Throughout his career, Professor Seneweera has held several prestigious academic and leadership positions at institutions including the University of Melbourne, the University of Southern Queensland, Tohoku University in Japan, University of Illinois in the USA, and the National Institute of Fundamental Studies (NIFS) in Sri Lanka, where he served as Director, CEO, and CFO. His leadership at NIFS was instrumental in introducing innovative strategies, leading to significant improvements in global ranking and research output. Under his tenure, the institute achieved number 2 and number 14 in AD and Webometric rankings, respectively.

Professor Seneweera's academic portfolio is enriched by his supervision of over 40 PhD and a large number of Master's students, highlighting his commitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists. As the head of the National Institute of Fundamental Studies, he oversaw more than a hundred graduate students, PhDs and Mphils at a time. His teaching spans undergraduate and postgraduate levels, integrating research insights into the curriculum to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application. His global supervision and teaching experience will be a valuable asset to the University of Ruhuna.

His research excellence is evidenced by over 250 peer-reviewed publications, including articles in prestigious journals such as Nature and Science, and an h-index of 48. Professor Seneweera's work has been internationally recognized, placing him within the top 2% of scientists globally according to the Stanford University World Scientist Ranking for five consecutive years. Furthermore, he is the top agricultural scientist in the country according to the AD ranking. Notably, he is the principal or lead author in more than 50% of his publications, with over 8000 Google citations, demonstrating genuine leadership in the field. His research has significantly advanced scientific understanding and directly impacted agricultural systems and policies, enhancing food security and sustainability.

As a leader in international research projects and programs, Professor Seneweera has successfully secured funding totaling over $20 million, supporting large-scale initiatives to mitigate climate change's adverse effects on agriculture and improve crop resilience and productivity.

Beyond his academic and research achievements, Professor Seneweera has played a pivotal role in administrative and strategic planning at the National Institute of Fundamental Studies, leading comprehensive change programs and fostering national and international partnerships. He introduced the 3-minute Ph.D. thesis competition to Sri Lanka, enhancing the institute's research capacity, commercialization efforts, many more and global standing.

Professor Seneweera's work extends beyond the scientific community, reaching the general public and influencing policies and practices toward sustainable living standards. Through his research and public engagement, he has contributed to a broader societal understanding of the importance of sustainable agricultural practices and the challenges of climate change.

In conclusion, Professor Saman Seneweera is a leading figure in plant science whose academic and research endeavours have profoundly impacted the fields of agriculture and sustainability, continuing to inspire and guide global efforts towards a more sustainable and food-secure future.