American Geologist Connects with Critical Mineral Experts in Sri Lanka

A woman in a red dress and a man in a suit stand by a podium with the U.S. Embassy emblem, in front of an abstract painting. — *Dr. Kusali Gamage at a U.S. Embassy function in Colombo with United States-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission Executive Director Patrick McNamara.*

American Geology Professor Kusali Gamage, PhD, became a Fulbright Scholar to share her expertise in ocean drilling. Ocean drilling is a practice with wide-ranging implications for predicting earthquakes, analyzing microfossils, and identifying mineral deposits through geochemical analysis. Gamage explains that when most people think about geology, “they think about the mountains and continents, but interestingly, I study the ocean floor and what lies beneath it.”

Gamage recognized the unique opportunity to apply her specialized expertise to Sri Lanka, an island nation with no existing ocean drilling infrastructure. Gamage also brought her previous experience as an expedition project manager and staff scientist with the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) at Texas A&M University.

As she put it, “My background in ocean drilling seemed like a natural fit, and I believed my experience could bring valuable insight.” This led her to apply for a position at the University of Peradeniya, home to Sri Lanka’s only geology department.

During the six months she spent as a Fulbright U.S. Scholar, she expanded the reach of her work to include mentorship in the field of geochemistry, fostering the development of future leaders in the field. She also expanded her geological knowledge of the mineral graphite; Sri Lankan geologists were eager to share their knowledge and the country’s long history of graphite mining, a key part of Sri Lanka’s economy dating back centuries. Gamage thus began to facilitate important connections between Sri Lankan graphite experts and U.S. officials, strengthening a partnership that holds significant potential for advancing American security and prosperity.

Through the U.S.-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission, Gamage facilitated a meeting between the U.S. Embassy’s economic section, the University of Peradeniya’s geology department, the university’s vice chancellor, graphite researchers, and Sri Lankan representatives of the graphite industry. Gamage emphasized that these initial talks were an important step in exploring Sri Lanka’s potential as a graphite supplier to the United States. This collaboration offers the possibility of strengthening ties and supporting long-term prosperity for both countries.

Elephants walking on a sandy path, with person in a hat smiling in the foreground. — *Gamage at the renowned elephant orphanage in Pinnawala, Sri Lanka.*

Gamage’s teaching abilities, developed over years as a faculty member at Austin Community College, and her deep commitment to fostering undergraduate research, have left a lasting impact on her students. Gamage mentored two student projects in Sri Lanka, one on irrigation and another on plastics. For the second project, she teamed up with a geochemistry professor at the University of Peradeniya to guide the student’s lab-based research on extracting microplastics using saltwater and non-toxic chemicals.

The student’s research showed promise and demonstrated a scalable process that could improve the health of soil and waterways worldwide by mitigating microplastic contamination. Seeing the potential for global collaboration, Gamage encouraged the student to present her findings at the prestigious American Geophysical Union conference in Washington, D.C., in December 2025. This sharing of expertise advances the U.S.-Sri Lankan scientific community and the broader goals of U.S. foreign policy.

A group of fifteen people posing indoors, wearing colorful attire, with a backdrop of fairy lights and decorative motifs. — Gamage (back row, center) with students at her host institution University of Peradeniya (left). Gamage, fourth from left, hosts a meeting at Peradeniya University on graphite with researchers, industry stakeholders, and the economic officer representing the U.S. Department of State (right).

Group portrait of seventeen people in a professional setting below a "GEOLOGY" sign. — Gamage (back row, center) with students at her host institution University of Peradeniya (left). Gamage, fourth from left, hosts a meeting at Peradeniya University on graphite with researchers, industry stakeholders, and the economic officer representing the U.S. Department of State (right).

Gamage says her “Fulbright experience was very, very empowering. I thought I would just go and teach and do my research, but it opened up new avenues in diplomacy and that was a very important experience which I have not had before.”

Now, back at Austin Community College, Gamage wants to use her Fulbright experience to inspire community college faculty and administrators to participate in the Fulbright Program, and has recently accepted the role as Fulbright Scholar Liaison at her college.

Gamage told her campus news that she is “deeply grateful to the Fulbright Program for enabling this transformative experience, which has instilled in me a commitment to pursue meaningful initiatives that strengthen relationships between the U.S. and Sri Lanka.”