Meet the Project Team

We are a multidisciplinary research team came together to advance STEM education and research through innovation. The team have expertise from diverse fields, including physics, geology, astronomy, teacher education, computer science, and VR/AI technologies. By partnering with industry leaders and STEM educators, we bridge the gap between academic standards and practical applications.  These collaborations ensure our initiatives are aligned with evolving technological and educational needs.  Together, we are hoping to make a meaningful and lasting impact on STEM education and research—both in Southern Illinois and beyond.

Poopalasingam Sivakumar, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Physics at SIU, focusing experimental and computational approaches in laser spectroscopy and bio-nanotechnology with expertise in data-driven modeling and programming.
Phone: (618) 453-2227
Email: psivakumar@siu.edu

Harvey Henson, Ph.D.

Director of the STEM Education Research Center, Associate Professor of Science Education and Geology at SIU. Specializations include STEM education research and program evaluation, teacher professional development, evidence-based instructional design, assessment, applied geophysics and geosciences.
Phone: (618) 453-4214
Email: henson@siu.edu

Koushik Sinha, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Computer Science and Director of the Next Generation Networks and Systems (NGNS) Lab within the School of Computing at SIU. His expertise lies in wireless networking, space-based networking and computing, high performance computing and software systems design.
Phone: (618) 453-3922
Email: koushik.sinha@siu.edu

Corinne Brevik, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Physics at SIU.  Her research areas include astronomy, radiation in the environment, and physics education.  She leads yearly international study abroad trips for students to experience total solar eclipses.
Phone: (618) 453-3659
Email: corinne.brevik@siu.edu

Graduate Students

Dhulakshi Karuna Hewage

Ph.D. student in Applied Physics at SIU, exploring the physics of biological systems through molecular dynamics simulations and computational modeling of complex biomolecular interactions.
Phone: (618) 453-3344
Email: dhulakshi.karunahewage@siu.edu

Praveena Satkunam

Ph.D. student in Applied Physics at SIU, focus on working on experimental biomedical physics, particularly exploring nanostrcture-enhanced spectroscopy for sensitive detection of biological markers in biomedical applications.
Phone: (618) 453-3344
Email: praveena.satkunam@siu.edu

Sandaruka Jayasooriya Archchilage

Ph.D. student in Applied Physics at SIU, experimental biomedical research focused on spectroscopy-based cancer biomarker detection and improving diagnostic precision and sensitivity.
Phone: (618) 453-3344
Email:  sandaruka.jayasooriyaarachchilage@siu.edu

Manuka Malshan Silva Sinharage

PhD student in Applied Physics at SIU, focusing computational materials physics and computational biophysics. Research involves using DFT and molecular dynamics to study molecular-level behavior in materials and biological systems.
Phone: (618) 527-2850
Email: manukamalshansilva.sinharage@siu.edu