People’s Profiles – Sumith Abeykoon
Sumith Abeykoon is an early career scientist specializing in experimental petrology and volcanology. Holding a Ph.D. in experimental petrology, his research focuses on the processes occurring within Earth’s interior through high-pressure and high-temperature laboratory experiments and relevant analytical techniques.
Sumith welcomes inquiries and can be reached via email here or here.
What field do you currently work in and what is the job title of your current position?
I’m currently working as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Camerino (Italy), in a project investigating the relationship between pre-eruptive physicochemical conditions of magma and their time evolution, including the formation of nanolites, microlites, and bubbles. My work aims to unveil how various factors control eruptive styles through laboratory experiments.
Describe your qualifications and career path to date, and any job hunting or networking tips you would like to pass on to others. In what ways do you consider yourself to be privileged?
I began my academic journey with a bachelor’s degree in Geology from the University of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka). Then I moved to Germany for my postgraduate studies, earning both master’s and Ph.D. degrees at Bayerisches Geoinstitut, Bayreuth. My doctoral research focused on high-P-T experimental petrology, specifically investigating the compositions of sulphides and aqueous fluids within Earth’s interior.
After completion of my Ph.D., I undertook my first postdoctoral research position at Centre de Recherches Pétrographiques et Géochimiques (CRPG), Nancy, France. There, I conducted high-P-T experimental investigation on the petrogenesis of carbonatite magmas. Recently, I started as a researcher at the University of Camerino (Italy), in collaboration with Roma Tre University, Rome (Italy).
My recommendation for job hunting and networking: Attend and actively participate in conferences, (including institute level weekly/monthly seminars) to meet potential collaborators. Networking at these events can lead to job opportunities and collaborative projects. Maintain a professional online profile on platforms like LinkedIn and ResearchGate. Find ways to introduce yourself in to various scientific networks through your mentors and collaborators. Their experience can be invaluable in building up your career path. Customize your job applications to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the specific requirements of the position.
I do consider myself privileged in many ways. Among them, the opportunity to study and work at leading institutions across different countries has provided me with a diverse educational background. Access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and expert supervision from renowned scientists has greatly enhanced my research capabilities. Additionally, the financial support that I received throughout my career has been a key aspect in allowing me to pursue my studies and research without significant financial burden. These privileges have enabled me to acquire the knowledge, skills, and networks essential for advancing in my field and making my contributions to the scientific community.
If you are the first person in your family to attend or work at a university please summarise the importance that this has to you.
Being the first person in my family to attend and work at a university holds huge significance for me. It represents overcoming educational barriers and setting an example for future generations in my family. This achievement is not just a personal milestone but a testament to the sacrifices made by my family, extended family and close friends that I consider family, to support my academic pursuits. It fills me with pride and a deep sense of responsibility to inspire others in my community to pursue higher education, especially coming from a developing country like Sri Lanka, which still provides free education up to the university level. This achievement highlights the incredible opportunities that education can offer, and I am committed to encouraging others to take full advantage of these opportunities to transform their lives and communities to drive a positive change.
Have you moved countries to pursue and build your career, networks, and credentials?
Yes, I have moved countries multiple times to pursue and build my career, networks, and credentials. My journey began in Sri Lanka, and I’ve lived in a number of countries during my career so far; Germany, Japan, France and Italy. These moves were pivotal, as they allowed me to engage with leading experts in my field and access state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. Each move has broadened my professional network, exposed me to diverse research methodologies, and enriched my scientific perspective. These international experiences have been highly influential in shaping my career up to today.
If you were not presently in your current job, what alternative career might you have?
If I were not presently in my current job, I would pursue a career dedicated to supporting mental well-being. I am passionate about supporting mental health and would find great fulfilment in working to promote psychological well-being, provide support to those in need, and contribute to creating a healthier, more balanced society.
Summarise how many hours do you work in a week, and / or describe a typical day at work. What is your level of overall satisfaction in your current job?
I typically work 35-45 hours per week. It’s highly variable due to the nature of my work. My job keeps me busy but allows for a good work-life balance, thanks to flexible working hours and mobility. A typical day/week might involve lab experiments, meetings and discussions with colleagues or writing and analysing scientific data, but the schedule can shift based on priorities. I appreciate the autonomy to manage my time effectively. Overall, I’m satisfied with my current position and enjoy the work I do.
What are the most enjoyable aspects of your job and what do you like most about your working environment?
The most enjoyable aspects of my job are the variety of tasks and the continuous opportunities for learning. This diversity of tasks keeps me engaged and motivated, allowing me to develop new skills and improve my knowledge. Additionally, I appreciate working as a team, where we achieve collective creativity and innovation with a shared purpose.
Does your job involve you undertaking field work each year and do you find this pleasurable?
Not recently, but there will be very exciting field work planned around recent volcanoes and volcanic deposits. This upcoming opportunity is something I’m really looking forward to, as it combines hands-on experience with studying dynamic geological processes. While I haven’t been doing field work in my previous position, the prospect of working on volcanoes in the future is definitely something I find pleasurable and professionally stimulating.
What advice do you have for achieving work-life balance (including your own sense of personal fulfilment, with or without having a family) and having fun? What do you do to relax, and / or to give back (e.g., hobbies, voluntary activities / fundraising, faith or community group involvement, family time etc)?
Personally, living away from family, I find that having good circle of friends is essential. These friendships provide emotional support and opportunities for fun outside of work.
Hobbies play a big role in my personal fulfilment. I particularly enjoy photography, which allows me to express my creativity in various forms. This helps me relax and give me a sense of accomplishment outside of my professional life.
Another big key aspect for my work-life balance is practicing sports. I play tennis regularly and go running with friends. This not only keeps me physically active but also serves as a great stress reliever and social activity. Sometimes, prioritization and time management can be a challenge, but I strongly believe they are essential for long-term happiness and personal growth.
If you encountered any particular challenges or barriers in your career, how have you tackled, “dodged-the-bullet”, and / or overcome these?
Yes, I faced a significant challenge when I was forced to take a break in my academic career for a few years. However, through persistent effort and being optimistic, I was able to overcome this difficulty and ultimately achieve my goals. This experience has taught me the value of resilience and optimism in navigating career and personal life challenges.
We are very thankful to Sumith for this constructive contribution.
Editorial handling was by EAG DEI Committee members Qasid Ahmad and Pallavi Anand.