I am currently an Intermediate Machine Learning Engineer at Auror, New Zealand, where I work on AI solutions that support retail crime investigations and help make communities safer. My journey truly began at SETU, where the internship programme introduced me to Machine Learning and AI and helped me discover my passion through a strong mix of data science and application development. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Lankeshwara Munasinghe and Dr. Isuru Hewapathirana for their mentorship and encouragement.

After graduating, I started my career at WSO2 as a Machine Learning Engineer before moving to New Zealand for further studies. I recently completed my PhD in Bioengineering at the University of Auckland, working on interdisciplinary research spanning computer science, biology, and mathematics. The solid foundation I gained at SETU played a key role in enabling my transition between industry and academia.

I am Tharindu Lakshan Yasarathna (Member, IEEE), a proud alumnus of the University of Kelaniya, where I completed my B.Sc. (Hons.) in Software Engineering with First Class honours. My time at Kelaniya laid the foundation for both my academic and professional journey, nurturing my passion for innovation and cybersecurity through a strong curriculum, supportive mentors, and a vibrant research culture.

After graduating, I worked as a Software Engineer and later as an Assistant Lecturer at the University of Kelaniya, experiences that strengthened my technical and teaching skills. Currently, I am a PhD candidate in Computer Science at University College Dublin, focusing on AI security, network systems, and digital forensics. The knowledge, values, and confidence I gained at Kelaniya continue to guide my journey and fuel my commitment to cybersecurity.