A Tribute to the Impact of Dr Isuru A. Udugama

On 30 December 2023, Ahuora lost a researcher, colleague, supervisor, and friend: Dr Isuru A. Udugama . Isuru was a Senior Lecturer in Waikato School of Engineering from July 2022 to October 2023 before moving to the 新西兰奥克兰大学 and CHEMMAT_UoA .

As a token of our team’s appreciation, we have jointly written this tribute to highlight the impact that Isuru had on our team. We acknowledge the obituary written by Professor Ashvin Thambyah (https://chemmat.blogs.auckland.ac.nz/2024/01/01/obituary/) and post by Professor Krist Gernaey (https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/krist-gernaey-591748_obituary-activity-7147408166828331008-_yep/).

Prof. Michael Walmsley – “Isuru was only with us for a short time but in that time he opened our minds and hearts to the joy of collaboration, to boundary stretching thoughts and ideas, and of cause to the excitement of world travel. Our lives have been made better by his presence. Thanks for coming our way. Until we meet again, best wishes into eternity.”

Benjamin Lincoln – “Isuru was your biggest advocate and supporter. He kindly opened his home to me when I needed a place to stay for my industrial placement in Auckland. It was there I saw his kind heart and passion for his work and family.? I will miss the chats we had with his Mum in the back garden thinking of the next big idea. Rest in peace, my friend.”

Lana Kong – “It felt like Isuru was always there - even if he wasn’t there physically, his name often came up in our conversations which I think makes it really difficult to accept that he is no longer with us. He was a person who enjoyed challenging the way people thought about things, and we will have many memories that we can keep with us of days in the office that he made more interesting. He will be missed.”

Elsa Burroughs – “Isuru was a colleague of mine in the Ahuora Research group, and in the ‘Food and Bioprocess Engineering’ paper that he taught at Waikato University, where his experience in various industries from across the globe provided a wide repertoire of entertaining anecdotes and stories for his students. You could always count on him to be full of jokes and quips, and he could bring a jovial attitude to any conversation.”

Keegan Hall – “In only a short time Isuru was able to introduce me to two new worlds for which I will forever be thankful. The first was entirely his, the world of advanced bioprocess control and I relished the opportunity to work with him. The second was our own planet as Isuru was never short of a recommendation for a drink, a food and a cool place to visit during our European conferences, none would disappoint. For all of these and more, Isuru will be dearly missed.”

Matthew Taylor – “The energy that Isuru brought to any room he could be in could only be described as infectious. He also brought new views and perspectives to the table, especially during the PhD supervisor meetings. Everyone will dearly miss his constant positive mental attitude and enthusiasm for passions.”

Dr Martin Atkins – “After joining the University of Waikato as a Senior Lecturer in July 2022, Isuru quickly endeared himself to his colleagues who came to appreciate his affable disposition. Always one who enjoyed a robust discussion of problems, engineering or otherwise, he was open-minded and possessed an eagerness to learn. Our weekly visit to the local Indian curry house for lunch became more than just a lunch ritual; they were looked forward to by all and became a time for lively deliberations about both problems of the day and the larger questions of life. Isuru’s innovative ideas and collaborative spirit were the product of both an energetic mind and fondness of making friends. Always willing to step into new areas of inquiry outside of his beloved area of process control, it appeared that Isuru was more excited about collaborating with people than the research itself. During his brief but productive 18 months at Waikato, he became a trusted and respected colleague, teacher, and friend. He will be sorely missed.”

Associate Prof. James Carson – “A genial and gregarious person, Isuru was also a wellspring of ideas and possibilities, with a can-do mindset and plenty of energy and zeal to realise his ambitions. He achieved much in his all-to-brief career, and brought many people together. His positivity and affability will be sorely missed.”

Dr Tim Walmsley – “Isuru was an incredibly talented lecturer who loved teaching students, supervising research, and conducting his own research. I will remember him for his enthusiasm, passion, smile, and generosity. There is no time like the present, and that was very true for Isuru. There was never a dull moment; he always engaging with someone, somewhere. I recall having a back-and-forth discussion with Isuru one morning, and by lunchtime, he had reached out a friend in Germany and called another in USA to garner their opinions. He was genuine in seeking what is right, not to simply assert his own thinking. I count him not just a colleague but as a good friend, respectful and kind. Rest in peace my friend, till we meet again.”