Dr Wijesiri focuses on mitigating urban water pollution and transforming underutilised sources such as stormwater as an alternative water resource, addressing issues of water scarcity and quality. His current projects include developing AI-powered airborne multispectral and hyperspectral remote monitoring tools for real-time data collection from urban catchments (advancing technologies for monitoring and detecting of pollutants including heavy metals, hydrocarbons and PFAS), creating robust stormwater quality models using ensemble prediction methods, and advancing nature-based solutions such as Anammox-based biofilters (addressing innovative treatment technologies and enhancing resilience of urban water systems).

Dr Wijesiri has published in leading high-impact journals, including multiple papers in Water Research and the Journal of Hazardous Materials. He has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed papers and three books and three book chapters covering stormwater, river and groundwater pollution, water-related human and environmental risks, and the social and economic dimensions of urban water management. His research has attracted over RMB 7 million in competitive funding through international collaborations spanning Australia, China, and Brazil.

Research Tab: IUWT Lab (https://www.iuwtlab.com/)