Dr. Nilusha Welegedara is a Research Manager at the University of Alberta’s Urban Environment Observatory Lab and the Alberta Land Institute, where she contributes her expertise in geomatics to the study of urban environments. Additionally, she serves as asessional lecturer at the university, teaching remote sensing and GIS applications within planning, social sciences, and renewable resources.
Her research interests encompass urban environments, migration patterns, and ecosystem modelling, with a current focus on ethnic enclaves and the impacts of climate change on urban areas. Her academic background includes a PhD in Land Reclamation and Remediation from the University of Alberta, an MSc from the same institution, a Postgraduate Diploma in Remote Sensing and GIS from the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, and a BSc in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Dr. Welegedara brings a strong skill set in remote sensing, GIS, and statistical analysis to her research and teaching.