Sirani M. Perera graduated with a B.Sc. (First Class Honors) degree in Mathematics from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka, in 2004. She became the first Sri Lankan undergraduate in mathematics to be selected by the Center for Mathematical Sciences at the University of Cambridge, UK , and received a full scholarship from the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust. In 2006, she graduated with a Master of Advanced Studies (the Part III Tripos) in Mathematics (with Honors) at the University of Cambridge, UK, and earned a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Connecticut in 2012. She will be a full Professor of Mathematics at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University starting in the fall of 2026.
Dr. Perera was awarded the ILAS Olga Taussky and John Todd Prize for outstanding mid-career achievement by the International Linear Algebra Society (ILAS) in 2026. In 2024, she was honored as a Rising Star in Science by the Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine in Florida (ASEMFL). In 2023, Perera was selected as A Convergence Research (CORE) Fellow at the CORE Institute: The University of California, San Diego, under the National Science Foundation (NSF) Convergence Accelerator Program. Dr. Perera's research is funded by the NSF, specifically by the divisions of Mathematical Sciences (DMS), Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems (ECCS), Computer and Network Systems (CNS) and Undergraduate Education (DUE).
Dr. Perera is an applied mathematician with expertise in applied linear algebra and low-complexity algorithms, including both classical and machine learning (ML) approaches. Her research spans computational mathematics, scientific computing, fast Fourier transform (FFT)-like algorithms, ML algorithms, algorithm generalization and numerical accuracy and reliability. She also specializes in structured matrix theory, with work involving Vandermonde matrices, Delay Vandermonde matrix (DVM), quasiseparable and semiseparable matrices, Bezoutians, Toeplitz, Hankel, circulant and banded matrices, as well as discrete cosine transform (DCT), discrete sine transform (DST) and discrete Fourier transform (DFT) matrices. She applies structured neural networks to solve problems in wireless communication, dynamical systems, digital signal processing, image processing and unmanned autonomous aerial systems.
Dr. Perera is passionate about proposing novel theories and developing low-complexity classical or ML algorithms that advance convergence across applied mathematics, engineering, celestial mechanics and theoretical computer science, thereby fostering scientific discoveries.
Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics, University of Connecticut
Aug 2026 - Professor of Mathematics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA
Aug 2021 - July 2026, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA
Jan 2023 - May 2023, Junior Consultant, Faculty of Engineering, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka
Oct 2022, Visiting Scholar, Department of Mathematics, University of Northern Iowa, USA
Oct 2022, Visiting Scholar, Department of Physics and Computer Science, Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada
Aug 2015 - July 2021, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA
Aug 2012 - July 2015, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Daytona State College, USA
Aug 2008 - May 2012, Teaching Assistant in Mathematics, University of Connecticut, USA
Feb 2007 - Jul 2008, Lecturer in Mathematics, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
Nov 2007 - Jul 2008, Visiting Lecturer in Mathematics, Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology (APIIT), Sri Lanka
Feb 2005 - Sep 2005, Lecturer in Mathematics, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka
Feb 2004 - Jan 2005, Instructor in Mathematics, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka
Plenary Speaker at the 27th International Linear Algebra Society (ILAS) Conference, Virginia Tech, USA, May 2026.
Chair of the mini symposiums on Low-complexity Data-driven or Classical Algorithms and Applications at the 27th Conference of the International Linear Algebra Society, Virginia Tech, USA, 2026 (with James Nagy and Ilias Kotsireas).
Speaker for the Graduation and Hooding Ceremony at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, December 2025.
Chair of the Data Science and Machine Learning sessions at the NSF Division of Mathematical Sciences (DMS) Computational Mathematics Meeting held at the University of Utah, USA, 2025.
Chair of the mini symposiums on Utilizing Structure to Achieve Low-complexity Algorithms for Data Science, Engineering, and Physics at the 26th Conference of the International Linear Algebra Society, National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan, 2025 (with Natalia Bebianos).
Chair of the mini symposiums on Low-complexity Algorithmic and Data-driven Approaches in Scientific Computing and Engineering at the SIAM Conference on Computational Science and Engineering, USA, 2025 (with Xianqi Li).
Outstanding Advisor for Student Involvement Award, Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2024-2025.
Local Organizer of the Annual Joint Mathematical Association of America-Florida Section and FTYCMA, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2024-2025.
Member of the College of Arts and Sciences Research Council, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 2024 - To date.
Chair of the Minisymposium: Structured Matrices Approach in Low-complexity Algorithms and Applications at the SIAM Conference on Applied Linear Algebra, Sorbonne University, France, 2024 (with Natalia Bebianos).
Organizer of the Ninth Exchange of Mathematical Ideas Conference, University of Northern Iowa, 2023.
Organizer of the Math Colloquium Series, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 2023 – To date.
Scientific Committee Member of the Symposium on Interlacing Engineering Research, Faculty of Engineering, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka, 2023.
Co-Chair of the Minisymposium: Numerical Linear Algebra Applications in Data Science at the 25th Conference of the International Linear Algebra Society, Madrid, Spain, 2023 (with James G. Nagy)
Co-Chair of the Minisymposium: State-of-the-art in Algorithms and Applications at the 25th Conference of the International Linear Algebra Society, Madrid, Spain, 2023 (with Natalia Bebiano)
Co-Adviser of the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2021 - To date
Course Monitor of MA532:Numerical Linear Algebra for Engineers subject, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2020 - To date
Plenary Speaker of the Special Event on Analysis of Experimental Algorithms, Kalamata, Greece, 2019
Member of the Research Committee, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2019 - 2022
Initiator in designing a curriculum for the course Numerical Linear Algebra for Engineers, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2019
Initiator in designing a curriculum for the course Data Compression for Image and Signal Processing, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2019
Moderator of the Plenary Talk entitled Modeling Zika at the 39th Southeastern Atlantic Regional Conference on Differential Equations, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2019
Chair of Sessions IV/V at the 39th Southeastern Atlantic Regional Conference on Differential Equations, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2019
Member of the Organizing Committee at the 39th Southeastern Atlantic Regional Conference on Differential Equations, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2019
Member of the Search Committee in Data Science, department of mathematics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2018 - 2022
Member of the Curriculum Committee, department of mathematics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2018 - 2022, 2023-2024
Member of the Academic Computing Committee, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2018 - 2021
Member of the International Linear Algebra Society, 2017 – 2030
Adviser of the Kappa Mu Epsilon (Mathematics Honor Society), Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2017 - To date
Co-Adviser of the SIAM Student Chapter, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2016 - 2018
Member of the Graduate Program Committee in Data Science, department of mathematics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2017 - To date
Course Monitor of MA432:Linear Algebra subject, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2017 - To date
Co-Adviser of the SeaPearch Competition, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2017
Chair of Session II-C at the 36th South Eastern Atlantic Regional Conference on Differential Equations, Florida Gulf Coast University, USA, 2016
Co-Chair of The International Industrial Mathematics Conference, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka, 2016
Chair of the Contributed Session III at the 39th Annual SIAM Southeastern Atlantic Section Conference, University of Alabama, USA, 2015
STEM Mentor for the Spring 2015 cohort of the STEM Community Scholars Program, NSF Award at Daytona State College, USA, 2015
Member of the Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics, 2015 - To date
Organizer of the Mathematics Faculty Seminar, Daytona State College, USA, 2014 - 2015
Faculty Representative of the Instructional Program Review Committee, Daytona State College, USA, 2014 - 2015
In Charge of Creating Survey in Mathematics Course, Daytona State College, USA, 2014
Chair of the Numerical Methods Session, 37th Annual SIAM Southeastern Atlantic Section Conference, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, USA, 2013
Teaching Assistant Mentor at the Department of Mathematics, University of Connecticut, USA, 2009 - 2012
Member of the American Mathematical Society, 2009 - To date
Chief Coordinator of the Sri Lankan Mathematics Olympiad Awards Ceremony, Sri Lanka, 2007
Coordinator of the Sri Lankan Mathematics Olympiad Competition, Sri Lanka, 2007
The ILAS Olga Taussky and John Todd Prize award from the International Linear Algebra Society (ILAS), with the citation of “For substantial contributions to structured matrix computations, and for parlaying linear algebra insights into hardware implementation and signal processing”, May 2026. This honor ranks among the three prestigious milestones: the Hans Schneider Lifetime Prize, the Olga Taussky and John Todd Prize, and the Richard A. Brualdi Early Career Prize from the ILAS, representing the highest recognitions in the field of linear algebra.
Lead-PI of the award entitled Collaborative Research: Data-driven Realization of State-space Dynamical Systems via Low-complexity Algorithms, the Division of Mathematical Sciences (DMS), the National Science Foundation (award number 2410676), USA, Aug 2024-July 2027 (Collaborative PIs: Kshitij Khare at UF with the award number 2410677, Aaron Welters and Xianqi Li at FIT, with the award number 2410678)
Inventor of the Patent (Number 19/382,463) entitled Low Complexity O(N) Algorithm for N-beam True Time Delay Beamformers Based on Sparse Factorization of the Delay Vandermonde Matrix (DVM) by the USPTO, Nov 7, 2025 (a joint invention with Arjuna Madanayake)
Inventor of the Patent (Number 19/095,898) entitled Systems and Methods for Reducing the Complexity of a Delay Vandermonde Matrix of a Beamformer by the USPTO, Mar 31, 2025 (a joint invention with Arjuna Madanayake)
A Rising Star in Science award from the Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine in Florida (ASEMFL) for 2024, I was the sole-selected presenter in the Science category by the ASEMFL. My presentation was on Efficient Solutions for Real-World Challenges: Low-Complexity Algorithms in Applied Linear Algebra for Engineering and Data Science.
Outstanding Publication Award from the College of Arts and Sciences, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 2024-2025.
Co-PI of the award entitled Chips Ahoy: Analog-Digital Chiplets for O(n) FFT Multi-Beam Apertures, awarded by the Office of Naval Research with number GRANT14064684, USA, 2024-2025 (the lead PI is Arjuna Madanayake from FIU)
Research and Scholarly Excellence Award from the College of Arts and Sciences, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 2023-2024.
PI of the award entitled Collaborative Research: SWIFT: AI-based Sensing for Improved Resiliency via Spectral Adaptation with Lifelong Learning, the Division of Electrical, Communications, and Cyber Systems(ECCS), the National Science Foundation (award number 2229473), USA, Jan 2023-Dec 2025 (Co-PI: Houbing Song at UMBC, lead PI: Arjuna Madanayake at FIU with the award number 2229471, and PI: Francesco Restuccia at NEU with the award number 2229472)
PI of the Faculty Innovative Research in Science and Technology Grant entitled Low-cost Encoding and Decoding Architecture at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2023-2024 (Co-PI: Angelynn Alvarez)
Convergence Research (CORE) Fellow at the CORE Institute, The University of California San Diego: Convergence Accelerator Program, the National Science Foundation, 2023
Co-PI of the award entitled Distributed Learning for Undergraduate Programs in Data Science at Diverse Universities, the Division of Undergraduate Education, the National Science Foundation (award number 2142514), USA, Oct 2022-Dec 2025, (the lead institution being ERAU with the lead PI: Hong Liu, and other two clusters at Florida A & M University with PI Dr. Clement G. Yedjou - NSF award number 2142465 and the University of North Texas with PI: Dr. Michael J. Spector - NSF award number 2142327)
Co-PI of the award entitled Exchange of Mathematical Ideas Conference 2023, the Division of Mathematical Sciences (DMS), the National Science Foundation (award number 2322922), USA, May 2023-May 2024 (PI: Douglas Mupasiri at UNI, Co-PI: Michael Prophet at UNI, and Co-PI: Hisaya Tsutsui at ERAU)
Mentor and Senior Personnel of the award entitled REU Site: Swarms of Unmanned Aircraft Systems in the Age of AI/Machine Learning, the Division of Computer and Network Systems(CNS), the National Science Foundation (award number 2150213), USA, 2022-2025 (PI: Houbing Song)
Inventor of the Patent (Number 10,904,573) entitled Reduced Multiplicative Complexity Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) Circuitry by the USPTO, Jan 26, 2021
Co-PI of the award entitled Collaborative Research: Wideband Multi-Beam Antenna Arrays: Low-Complexity Algorithms and Analog-CMOS Implementations, the Division of Electrical, Communications, and Cyber Systems(ECCS), the National Science Foundation (award numbers 1902283, 1711625, and 1826632), USA, 2017-2023 (PI: Arjuna Madanayake)
PI of the Faculty Innovative Research in Science and Technology Grant entitled Novel Efficient and Stable Algorithms for Ionospheric Simulations at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2020-2021 (Co-PI: Matthew Zettergren)
PI of the Faculty Innovative Research in Science and Technology Grant entitled Fast, Exact, Amalgam, and Stable Transforms to Convert Analog to Digital Signals at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2019-2020
Co-PI of the Faculty Innovative Research in Science and Technology Grant entitled Transformations Preserving Entangled States at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2017-2018 (PI: Edward Poon)
Awardee of the Early Career Travel Grant, the 20th Conference of the International Linear Algebra Society, Belgium, 2016
PI of the Faculty Innovative Research in Science and Technology Grant entitled Signal and Image Novel Exploration on Fast and Stable Transforms at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2016-2017 (Co-PI: Jianhua Liu)
Awardee of the Faculty Research Development Awards, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2015-2016 and 2016-2017
Nominee of the Outstanding Junior Research Faculty at Daytona State College, USA, 2013-2015
Awardee of Travel Grant, the Laurier Center for Women in Science, Canada, 2013
Awardee of the Advanced Doctoral Fellowship in Mathematics, the University of Connecticut, USA, 2012
Awardee of the Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship in Mathematics, the University of Connecticut, USA, 2012
Awardee of the Doctoral Travel Grant, the University of Connecticut, USA, 2012
Awardee of the Summer Predoctoral Fellowship in Mathematics, the University of Connecticut, USA, 2010
Awardee of the Industrial Research Scholarship, City University London, UK, 2008
Awardee of the Shell Centenary Scholarship, Cambridge Commonwealth Trust, the University of Cambridge, UK, 2005-2006
Awardee of the Chevening Colors for Outstanding Undergraduate in Mathematics, British Council, Sri Lanka, 2005
Recognition for the Top Most Number of A's in Mathematics in 98/99 batch, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka, 1999 - 2004
Recognition for the Highest GPA in Chemistry in 98/99 batch, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka, 1999 - 2003
Research Students' Achievements
Adam Kuzmicki graduated with a Master's degree in Data Science at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, in 2026. The thesis title is Low-complexity Structured Neural Networks and Their Usage in Image and Signal Processing.
Adam Kuzmicki was selected as the Outstanding Graduate Student in the Data Science Master’s Degree Program, Department of Mathematics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2025-2026.
Sarath Murarisetty was selected as the Outstanding Graduate Student Poster Presenter at the Student Research Symposium, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2026.
Andrew Murphy was selected as the Outstanding Undergraduate Student of the Year at the Student Research Symposium, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2026.
Eric Rodarte was selected as the Outstanding Undergraduate Student in the Computational Mathematics Program, Department of Mathematics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2025-2026.
Eric Rodarte received Honorable Mention in presenting Low-rank Spectral Analysis for the Reddening of the Seven Sisters Star Cluster at the Florida Section of the Mathematical Association of America (FL-MAA) Conference, 2026.
Oshani Jayawardane was selected as the Outstanding Graduate Student Poster Presenter at the Student Research Symposium, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2025.
Hansaka Aluvihare graduated with a Master's degree in Data Science at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, in 2025. The research concentration is Structured Neural Networks for Wireless Communication Systems.
Hansaka Aluvihare was selected as the Outstanding Graduate Student in the Data Science Master’s Degree Program, Department of Mathematics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2024-2025.
Brian Baker-McEvilly was selected as the Outstanding Graduate Student in Aerospace Engineering, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 2024-2025 (with David Canales).
Kaitlyn Cavanaugh was selected for an Excellence Performance in the Undergraduate Computational Mathematics Program, Department of Mathematics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 2024-2025.
Kaitlyn Cavanaugh and Krystian Stefanov presented at the Undergraduate Research Council titled An Efficient and Data-driven Learning Algorithm to Evaluate Facial Recognition, USA, 2025 (with full travel funds).
Brian Baker-McEvilly graduated with a Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, in 2024. The thesis title is A Low-complexity Algorithm for Trajectory Generation in the Three-body Problem. (joint supervision with David Canales).
Atahan Kurttisi graduated with a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, in 2024. The thesis title is Trustable Adaptive Controllers for Multi-Agent Systems with Actuator Dynamics. (joint supervision with Merve Dorgan)
Christopher Hays graduated with a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, in 2024. The thesis title is State Omniscience for Cooperative Local Catalog Maintenance of Close Proximity Satellite Systems. (joint supervision with Troy Henderson)
Daniel Posada graduated with a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, in 2024. The thesis title is A Set of Machine Learning Tools for Hazard-Relative Navigation, Mapping, and Planetary Landing. (joint supervision with Troy Henderson)
Matthew Gillette graduated with a Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, in 2023. The thesis title is Optical Orbit Tracking and Estimation. (joint supervision with Troy Henderson)
Jose Gonzalez and Kelly LaRose were selected to present on Low-complexity Algorithms to Solve Partial Differential Equations at the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), Berry College, USA, 2022
Jose Gonzalez and Kelly LaRose obtained the Internal Student Research Award, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2021-2022
Mason Gawler was selected as an Outstanding Student in Computational Mathematics with the Shiv Aggarwal Award, Department of Mathematics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2020-2021
Levi Lingsch is a graduate student in computational mathematics and engineering at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, from fall 2021
Austin Ogle was selected as the Research Fulbright Scholar at the Space Technology Research Group in Kazakhstan, 2021
Austin Ogle graduated with a Master's degree in Engineering Physics at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, in 2020. The thesis title is Python Implementation of Batch Least-Squares Filter for Satellite Orbit Determination. (joint supervision with Stephen Gillam)
Austin Ogle was selected as the 2019 Research Scholar, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2019
Daniel Silverio and Austin Ogle obtained the Internal Student Research Award, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2018-2019
Austin Ogle and Daniel Silverio obtained the Internal Student Research Award, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2017-2018
Genesis Vargas was selected to present on Quasiseparable Approach to Evaluate Cubic Splines via A Fast and Stable Algorithm at the COAS Industry Advisory Board Meeting, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2017 and 2018
Austin Ogle obtained First Place at the Discovery Day Award, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2017
Austin Ogle obtained ASPiRE Conference Funds, Florida Gulf Coast University, USA, 2017
Patrick Rupp, Genesis Vargas, and Dylan English obtained Spark Funds, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, 2017