Biography of Dr Nilupulee Gunathilake

Dr Nilupulee Gunathilake is an academic with over a decade of experience in research and university lecturing in electronics & telecommunications engineering and cybersecurity. She earned her PhD from the School of Computing, Engineering & the Built Environment at Edinburgh Napier University, UK, in 2023. Since 2020, she has been working at the same university and is also part of the academic staff at Oxford International Education Group, UK. 

As a multidisciplinary researcher, Dr Nilupulee specialises in digital forensics, microwave communication, Deep Learning (DL) in Artificial Intelligence (AI), cryptology including both cryptography and cryptanalysis and emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Free Space Optics (FSO), Non-Fungible Token (NFT) in blockchain and vehicular communications in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). Her PhD research focused on side-channel attack analysis of lightweight cryptographic algorithms, a modern counterpart to Prof Alan Turing’s groundbreaking work on breaking Enigma during World War II. She has successfully published numerous research papers on these topics in reputed international conferences.

Dr Nilupulee began her academic journey with a BEng (Hons) in Electronics & Communications Engineering from the University of Wolverhampton, UK, graduating in 2013. She then earned a PgDip in the same field from Sheffield Hallam University, UK, in 2015. In 2016, she was offered a research grant by the Department of Electronic & Telecommunication Engineering (ENTC) at the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, to conduct research in ITS. Recognising her outstanding potential in technology, she was awarded a Dean’s Scholarship by the University of the West of Scotland, UK, for an MSc in Smart Networks. Here she was awarded the University Court Medal for the best academic excellence in 2017. A year later, Edinburgh Napier University, known for its innovative research and commitment to academic excellence, offered her a scholarship for her PhD studies.

Coming from one of the most beautiful islands in the world, the pearl of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka, where she was born and raised, Dr Nilupulee had a natural and wide-ranging curiosity about the world from a young age. She completed her secondary education at Holy Cross College in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, actively participating in extracurricular activities such as singing, Sri Lankan traditional dancing and drama & theatre, and competing in all-island school competitions. In addition to her academic qualifications, she has earned professional qualifications and won medals in Project Planning & Management, International Spoken English, Latin Dance and Fashion Modelling & Personality Development. These diverse achievements reflect her commitment to continuous learning and personal development. She also engages in volunteer projects worldwide, supporting children and animal welfare, such as educating war refugee communities in the UK, participating in hair and stem cell donations for cancer patients and fundraising for orphaned calves at the Elephant Transit Home in Sri Lanka.

As a woman in the rare and challenging fields of engineering, cybersecurity and digital forensics, Dr Nilupulee stands out as a trailblazer. Her work not only contributes to the advancement of these critical areas but also inspires other women to pursue careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

Receiving the prestigious title of ‘Distinguished Academician Award’ under the category ‘Queen Book Research & Scientist & Professor & Teaching Academic Awards’ by Queen Times is a tremendous honour for Dr Nilupulee. She feels deeply grateful for the recognition and sees it as a testament to her hard work and dedication to educating the younger generation and inventing solutions to make a safer cyber world for everyone. This award motivates her to continue her efforts in making the digital world a safer, more secure and ethical place.

Dr Nilupulee Gunathilake's journey as an academic has been marked by a commitment to innovation and excellence. She looks forward to continuing her work and contributing to the advancement of knowledge in her fields. She is deeply grateful for this international recognition and the opportunities it brings.