Indira Samarasekera

Indira V. Samarasekera - Annual Meeting of the New Champions Dalian 2009

Indira Samarasekera is a Sri Lankan-born Canadian engineer and academic. She served as the 12th President of the University of Alberta from 2005 to 2015. Samarasekera is recognized for her contributions to engineering and higher education.

Early Life and Education

Indira Samarasekera was born in Sri Lanka. She completed her undergraduate studies in mechanical engineering at the University of Sri Lanka. She then pursued a Master's degree in mechanical engineering at the University of California, Davis. Samarasekera earned her Ph.D. in metallurgical engineering from the University of British Columbia.

Career

Academic Career

Samarasekera began her academic career as a professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC). She held various positions at UBC, including the Canada Research Chair in Advanced Materials for Modern Applications. Her research focused on the processing of advanced materials and the development of new metallurgical processes.

University of Alberta

In 2005, Samarasekera was appointed as the President of the University of Alberta, becoming the first woman to hold this position. During her tenure, she emphasized the importance of research and innovation, and worked to enhance the university's international reputation. She also focused on increasing student enrollment and improving campus infrastructure.

Contributions to Engineering

Samarasekera is known for her work in the field of metallurgical engineering, particularly in the areas of heat transfer and solidification processes. Her research has led to significant advancements in the understanding of material properties and the development of new industrial processes.

Awards and Honors

Throughout her career, Samarasekera has received numerous awards and honors, including:

• Order of Canada
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
• E.W.R. Steacie Memorial Fellowship

Personal Life

Indira Samarasekera is married and has two children. She is an advocate for women in engineering and has been involved in various initiatives to promote gender equality in STEM fields.

See Also

• University of Alberta
• University of British Columbia
• Metallurgical engineering
• Women in engineering