Mr. Gayantha R L Kodikara

• B.Sc. (Hons) in Geology (Peradeniya, SL)
• M.Sc. In Geo-information Science and Earth Observation (ITC, The Netherlands)
• M.Tech. in Remote Sensing and GIS (Andhra University, India)
• Ph.D. in Geosciences (University of Wiscconsin-Milwaukee, USA)

• ORCID
  

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• OCG1121: Earth History, origin and evolution of life
• OCG1242: Introduction to Geospatial Analysis
• OCG3142: Remote Sensing and GNSS
• OCG32B1: Satellite Oceanography

• Oceans across the solar system
• Planetary Geology
• Planetary Remote Sensing
• Geochemical Modeling
• Applications of AI in environmental sciences

Peer-reviewed Publications

• Lindsay J. McHenry, Gayantha R. L. Kodikara, Ian Stanistreet, Harald Stollhofen, Jackson Njau, Kathy Schick, Nicholas Toth, 2026. Applying a wide and deep learning model to core-scan XRF data to reconstruct mineral assemblages for Pleistocene paleolake Olduvai, Tanzania. Published online 2026:1-19. doi:10.1017/qua.2025.10060
• Gayantha R. L. Kodikara, Lindsay J. McHenry, Brian M. Hynek, Jackson K. Njau, 2024. Mapping paleolacustrine deposits with a UAV-borne multispectral camera: Implications for future drone mapping on Mars., The Planetary Science Journal, 5 (12).
• Gayantha R. L. Kodikara, Lindsay J. McHenry, Ian G. Stanistreet, Harald Stollhofen, Jackson K. Njau, Nicholas Toth, Kathy Schick, 2024. Wide & deep learning for predicting relative mineral compositions of sediment cores solely based on XRF scans, a case study from Pleistocene Paleolake Olduvai, Tanzania, Artificial Intelligence in Geosciences, 5, (100088).
• Gayantha R. L. Kodikara, Lindsay J. McHenry, 2023. Data-driven Fuzzy Weights-of-Evidence model for identification of potential zeolite-bearing environments on Mars, Earth and Space Science, 10 (e2023EA002945).
• C. J. Tao Udovicic, K. R. Frizzell, G. R. L. Kodikara, M. Kopp, K. M. Luchsinger, A. Madera, M. L. Meier, T. G. Paladino, R. V. Patterson, F. B. Wroblewski, D. A. Kring, 2023. Buried Ice Deposits in Lunar polar cold traps were disrupted by ballistic sedimentation, Journal Geophysical Research: Planets, 128 (5), e2022JE007567.
• Gayantha R. L. Kodikara, Lindsay J. McHenry, Timothy J. Grundl, 2023, Possible formation pathways for zeolites in closed-basin lakes on Noachian Mars: Insights from geochemical modeling, Icarus, 389 (115271).
• Gayantha R. L. Kodikara, Lindsay J. McHenry, Freek D. van der Meer, 2023, Spectral mapping of zeolite bearing paleolake deposits at Lake Tecopa, California and its implications for mapping zeolites on Mars, Geosystems and Geoenvironment, 2 (100119).
• Gayantha R. L. Kodikara, Lindsay J. McHenry, Freek D. van der Meer, 2022, Application of deep learning and spectral deconvolution for estimating mineral abundances of zeolite, Mg- sulfate and montmorillonite mixtures and its implications for Mars, Planetary and Space Science, 223 (105579).
• Gayantha R. L. Kodikara, Lindsay J. McHenry, 2021. Self-Organizing Maps for identification of zeolitic diagenesis patterns in closed hydrologic systems on the Earth and its implications for Mars, International Journal of Sediment Research, 36 (5), 567-576.
• Gayantha R. L. Kodikara, Lindsay J. McHenry, 2020. Machine Learning approaches for classifying lunar soils, Icarus, 345 (113719).
• Lindsay J. McHenry, Gayantha R. L. Kodikara, Ian Stanistreet, Harald Stollhofen, Jackson Njau, Kathy Schick, Nicholas Toth, 2020. Lake conditions and detrital sources of Paleolake Oldu- vai, Tanzania, reconstructed using X-Ray Diffraction analysis of cores, Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 556 (109855).
• Gayantha R. L. Kodikara, Tsehaie Woldai, 2017. Spectral indices derived, non-parametric de- cision tree classification approach to lithological mapping in Lake Magadi area, Kenya, International Journal of Digital Earth, 11 (10), 1020-1038.
• J. D. M. Senevirathna, Gayantha R. L. Kodikara, D. H. N. Munasinghe, 2017. Analysis of habitat characteristics of the scalloped spiny lobster Panulirus homarus (Linnaeus, 1758) in their home range along the southern coast of Sri Lanka, Indian Journal of Fisheries, Vol. 64,Issue 1.
• David Susko, Suniti Karunatillake, Gayantha R. L. Kodikara, J. R. Skok, James Wray, Jennifer Heldmann, Agnes Cousin, Taylor Judice, 2017. A record of igneous evolution in Elysium, a major martian volcanic province, Nature Scientific Reports, 7:43177.
• Gayantha R. L. Kodikara, P. K. Champati ray, Prakash Chauhan, R. S. Chatterjee, 2016. Spectral Mapping of Morphological Features on the Moon with MGM and SAM, International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation, 44: 31-41.
• I. P. Senanayake, Gayantha R. L. Kodikara, B. Y. A. Wijayanayake, 2012. Prospects of using Geographic Informaion Technology in the Public Health Sector of Sri Lanka, Research & Reviews: A Medical Science and Technology, Vol. 1, Issue 3.
• Xue-Qing Yang, Gayantha R. L. Kodikara, Eike Luedeling, Xue-Fei Yang, Jun He, Pei-gui Liu, Jian-Chu Xu, 2012. Looking below the ground: Prediction of Tuber indicum habitat using the weights of Evidence method, Ecological Modelling, 247: 27-39.
• Gayantha R. L. Kodikara, Tsehaie Woldai, Frank J. A. van Ruitenbeek, Zack Kuria, Freek van der Meer, Keith D. Shepherd, G. J. van Hummel, 2011. Hyperspectral remote sensing of evaporate minerals and associated sediments in Lake Magadi area, Kenya, International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation, 14: 22-32.

Other Journal Article

• Gayantha R. L. Kodikara, 2010. The application of Advanced Spaceborn Thermal Emission and Reflection (ASTER) Radiometer data for mineral exploration in Sri Lanka: A case study from serpentinite deposit in Ussangoda., Journal of the Sri Lanka Association of Geographers, Vol 1, No. 1, Page: 61-71.) In: Proceedings of the National Geography Conference: Geography for National Development, 8 - 9 January, 2010, Department of Geography, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka.

Book Chapters

• Kodikara G. R. L., 2014. University Micro-Nano Satellites: Need for ICoC for their Sustainable Use., In: R. P. Rajagopalan and D. A. Porras (Editors), Awaiting launch: Perspectives on the draft ICoC for outer space activities, Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi, pp. 242.

Conference Presentations / Abstracts:

• G. R. L. Kodikara, L. J. McHenry, B. M. Hynek, J. K. Njau, Spectral mapping of mineral patterns at Lake Natron, Tanzania using hyperspectral remote sensing and machine learning methods: Implications for Mars, #236-6, The Geological Society of America Connects 2024, Anaheim, California, USA. 25/09/2024
• G. R. L. Kodikara, L. J. McHenry, B. M. Hynek, J. K. Njau, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Planetary Exploration: A SCORE Analysis, #8006, Second Workshop on Terrestrial Analogs for Planetary Exploration, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA. 13/08/2024
• G. R. L. Kodikara, L. J. McHenry, B. M. Hynek, J. K. Njau, Mapping paleolacustrine deposits with a UAV-borne multispectral camera: Implications for future drone mapping on Mars, #1736, 55th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, USA. 13/03/2024
• G. R. L. Kodikara, J. A. Bowles, S. Karunatillake, The Ussangoda serpentine deposit, Sri Lanka: A potential analog site for explaining martian crustal magnetic anomalies, #1744, 55th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, USA. 14/03/2024.
• M. L. Meier, K. R. Frizzell, G. R. L. Kodikara, M. A. Kopp, K. M. Luchsinger, A. Madera, T. G. Paladino, C. J. Tai Udovicic, R. V. Patterson, D. A. Kring, Detailed geomorphologic analysis of lunar regions of interests, #2086, 55th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, USA. 14/03/2024.
• E. B. Hughes, J. J. Wray, F. Rivera-Hernández, P. Dharmapriya, S. Karunatillake, G. Kodikara, A. Sarbadhikari, V. M. Nair, Y. Srivastava, A. Rani, and the 2023 Expedition Team, Raman and VNIR spectra of Sri Lanka serpentine zone minerals with relevance to Nili Fossae and Jezero crater, Mars, #2303, 55th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, USA. 14/03/2024.
• G. R. L. Kodikara, L. J. McHenry, T. J. Grundl, F. D. van der Meer, M. T. Harris, Models, modeling, scientific reasoning, and terrestrial perspective on formation of zeolites onearly Mars, #1140, 54th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, USA. 16/03/2023.
• G. R. L. Kodikara, L. J. McHenry, An assessment of duration of aqueous activity and formation of secondary minerals at Jezero crater, Mars using thermodynamic-kinetic models, #1141, 54th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, USA. 16/03/2023.
• L. J. McHenry, G. R. L. Kodikara, B. M. Hynek, J. K. Njau, Source to sink mineral analysis ofan East African Rift drainage: Analog for Mars, #1124, 54th Lunar and Planetary ScienceConference, USA. 16/03/2023.
• K. M. Truss, L. J. McHenry, G. R. L. Kodikara, Identifying authigenic mineral phases inEast-African lake cores: A proxy for Martian conditions, #1318, 54th Lunar and PlanetaryScience Conference, USA. 16/03/2023.
• C. J. Tai Udovicic, K. R. Frizzell, G. R. L. Kodikara, M. A. Kopp, K. M. Luchsinger, A. Madera, M. L. Meier, T. G. Paladino, R. V. Patterson, F. B. Wroblewski, D. A. Kring, Buried Ancient Ice Deposits were Likely Dispersed Due to Ballistic Sedimentation, #5022, Lunar Polar Volatiles Conference, USA. 03/11/2022.
• G. R. L. Kodikara, L. J. McHenry, Data-driven fuzzy weights-of-evidence model for identifi- cation of potential zeolite bearing environments on Mars, #1081, 53rd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, USA. 09/03/2022.
• G. R. L. Kodikara, L. J. McHenry, Application of deep learning and spectral deconvolution for estimating mineral abundances of zeolite, Mg-sulfate, and montmorillonite mixtures and its implications for Mars, #1082, 53rd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, USA. 11/03/2022.
• M. L. Meier, K. R. Frizzell, G. R. L. Kodikara, M. A. Kopp, K. M. Luchsinger, A. Madera, T. G. Paladino, C. J. Tai Udovicic, R. V. Patterson, F. B. Wroblewski, D. A. Kring, Geomorphic and resource analysis of the Viper landing site of the Artemis program, #1621, 53rd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, USA. 07/03/2022.
• C. J. Tai Udovicic, K. R. Frizzell, G. R. L. Kodikara, M. A. Kopp, K. M. Luchsinger, A. Madera, M. L. Meier, T. G. Paladino, R. V. Patterson, F. B. Wroblewski, D. A. Kring, Modeling the effects of basin impacts and ballistic sedimentation on ice in Lunar cold traps, #1528, 53rd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, USA. 08/03/2022.
• R. V. Patterson, K. R. Frizzell, G. R. L. Kodikara, M. A. Kopp, K. M. Luchsinger, A. Madera,M. L. Meier, T. G. Paladino, C. J. Tai Udovicic, R. V. Patterson, F. B. Wroblewski, D. A. Kring, In situ resource utilization investigations of potential Artemis landing site 105, Lunar South Pole, #1637, 53rd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, USA. 07/03/2022.
• F. B. Wroblewski, K. R. Frizzell, G. R. L. Kodikara, M. A. Kopp, K. M. Luchsinger, A. Madera, M. L. Meier, T. G. Paladino, C. J. Tai Udovicic, R. V. Patterson, D. A. Kring, 1:2500 Geomorphological map of the intercrater region between Shackleton crater and Shoemaker crater of the Lunar South Pole, #1687, 53rd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, USA. 07/03/2022.
• G. R. L. Kodikara, L. J. McHenry, T. J. Grundl, A possible formation pathway for zeolites in closed-basin lakes on Noachian Mars: Insights from geochemical modeling, #2259, 52nd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, USA. 15/03/2021.
• G. R. L. Kodikara, L. J. McHenry, Visible-near infrared spectroscopy of lacustrine sedi-ments in saline-alkaline playas: Implications for paleolakes on Mars, #2299, 52nd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, USA. 19/03/2021.
• G. R. L. Kodikara, L. J. McHenry, Self-Organizing Maps for identification of zeolitic diagenesis patterns in closed hydrologic systems: implications for Mars, #P004-0014, AGU Fall Meeting, USA. 07/12/2020.
• G. R. L. Kodikara, L. J. McHenry, Selection of multispectral band combination for identi-fication of evaporite minerals on Mars, #2463, 51st Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, The Woodlands, Texas, USA. 19/03/2020.
• G. R. L. Kodikara, L. J. McHenry, T. J. Grundl, Dissolution kinetics of evaporites at Panamint basin, California and their implications for evaporites on Mars: Initial results, #2863, 51st Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, The Woodlands, Texas, USA. 19/03/2020.
• G. R. L. Kodikara, L. J. McHenry, Application of machine learning methods for identi-fication of surface composition through the ExoMars PanCam instrument, #1147, 50th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, The Woodlands, Texas, USA. 21/03/2019.
• G. R. L. Kodikara, L. J. McHenry, Formation and stability of jarosite on Mars: An analog study from the Earth, 8th YSF Symposium, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 30/01/2019.
• G. R. L. Kodikara, Parallel computing using Raspberry Pi: An approachable way for environmental modelling, 8th YSF Symposium, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 30/01/2019.
• McHenry, L. J., Kodikara, G. L., Vickery, C. L., Stanistreet, I. G., Njau, J. K., Schick, K., Toth, N., Bulk mineralogy as a proxy for paleogeography and paleolake conditions: A core- based XRD record from Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, GSA Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. 06/11/2018.
• G. R. L. Kodikara, L. J. McHenry, Application of machine learning methods for mapping surface composition of the Taurus-Littrow and surrounding area of the Moon, #1546, 49th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, The Woodlands, Texas, USA. 19/03/2018.
• Gayantha R. L. Kodikara, Retrieval of land and water surface temperature using ASTER data in the Lake Magadi area, Kenya, 14th Academic Sessions and 13th Vice Chancellor’s Award Ceremony, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. 01/03/2017.
• C. S. Devinda, Gayantha R. L. Kodikara, Mapping carbonate minerals from ASTER mul-tispectral data in Jaffna peninsula, Sri Lanka, 33rd Annual Technical Sessions of Geological Society of Sri Lanka (GSSL), Sri Lanka. 24/02/2017.
• Gayantha R. L. Kodikara, Mapping volcanic hazards through imaging spectroscopy, Inter-national Symposium on Tropical Meteorology and Marine Science and Technology, Guangzhou, China. 08/04/2016.
• Kirusanth S., Kodikara G. R. L., Gunalan, K., Geospatial technologies for seaweed mapping in Jaffna peninsula of Sri Lanka, Proceedings of the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) Scientific Sessions, NARA, Sri Lanka. 09/03/2016.
• Gayantha R. L. Kodikara, VGPMilwis: A new simple tool to estimate primary productivity using vertically generalized production model, 8th International Workshop on Tropical Marine Environmental Changes, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China. 08/11/2015.
• G. R. L. Kodikara, CRISMindex: A new simple tool to map phyllosilicate, ferric Oxides & hydrated minerals from CRISM Data, Peradeniya International Research Sessions (iPURSE), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. 05/11/2015.
• G. R. L. Kodikara, R. S. Chatterjee, P. K. Champati ray, Remote compositional comparison of ray craters in South Pole-Aitken Basin: Findings from Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) data, Peradeniya International Research Sessions (iPURSE), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. 04/07/2014.
• G. R. L. Kodikara, Role of emissivity in land surface temperature mapping using remote sensing data: Comparison of two methods, 1st Ruhuna International Science & Technology Conference (RISTCON), Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. 22/01/2014.
• G. R. L. Kodikara, I. P. Senanayake, W. D. D. P. Welivitiya, P. M. Nadeeka, A. R. M. Rila, Machine learning approach to extract information from high resolution multispectral data: a feasibility study, Young Scientists Forum (YSF) Symposium,Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute, Colombo 8, Sri Lanka. 18/01/2013.
• Upeka I. Abeysinghe, Gayantha R. L. Kodikara, Geospatial technology for traditional medicine: Mapping potential distribution of Muronia Pinnata using weights-of-evidence method, Pandith G. P. Wickramarachchi Memorial International Research Symposium, Sri Lanka. 09/11/2012.
• Upeka I. Abeysinghe, Gayantha R. L. Kodikara, Exploring the potential use of machine learning techniques for traditional medicine in Sri Lanka, Pandith G. P. Wickramarachchi Memorial International Research Symposium, Sri Lanka. 08/11/2012.
• Gayantha L. Kodikara,R. S. Chatterjee, P. K. Champati ray, Compositional characterization and possible mineral distribution in a ray crater in South Pole-Aitken Basin (SPA) using Chandrayaan - 1 M3 data: Preliminary findings, National Workshop on Lunar Geoscience, Space Application Centre, ISRO, Ahmedabad, India. 30/03/2011.
• Gayantha R. L. Kodikara ,P. K. Champati ray, R. S. Chatterjee, M3FETIOMAT: A new simple tool to map FeO, TiO2 & OMAT from M3, Conference on Planetary Sciences and Exploration, PRL, Ahmedabad, India. 13/12/2011.
• Gayantha Kodikara, Tsehaie Woldai, Frank J. A. van Ruitenbeek, Kieth D. Shephered, and Van G. J. Hummel, Mapping evaporite minerals and associated sediments in Lake Magadi, Kenya, using Hyperspectral Hyperion data, In: Proceedings of the Seventh Academic Sessions of University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. 17/03/2010.
• Thilakerathne A., Alahakoon N., Gunasekara K., Kodikara G. R. L., Gunathilake, J., Application of 2-D resistivity imaging in mining and production planning: A case study from the Eppawala carbonatite deposit, In: Proceedings of the 23rd Annual Technical Session of Geological Society of Sri Lanka (GSSL): Geology for Small Industries, Department of Geology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. 23/02/2007.

• 2022 The Creative Research Award, Department of Geosciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
• 2020 UWM Distinguished Dissertation Fellowship (DDF) award for the 2020-21 academic year, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
• 2019 Geographic Information Systems Student Award- 2019, 2nd Place, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
• 2019 UWM Distinguished Graduate Student Fellowship (DGSF) award for the 2019-20 academic year, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
• 2019 Nelson Cherkauer Lasca Legacy Summer Fellowship, in recognition of outstanding research achievement, Department of Geosciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
• 2019 Best Oral Presentation, at YSF (Young Scientist Forum) symposium 2019, National Science and Technology Commission (NASTEC), Sri Lanka.
• 2018 Nelson Cherkauer Lasca Legacy Summer Fellowship, in recognition of outstanding research achievement, Department of Geosciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
• 2018 President’s Award for Scientific Publication for the year 2016, the award is given by the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (19th November 2018).
• 2014 President’s Award for Scientific Publication for the year 2012, the award is given by the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (31st October 2014).
• 2012 Best Oral Presentation, YSF (Young Scientist Forum) symposium 2012, National Science and Technology Commission (NASTEC), Sri Lanka.
• 2011 Gold Medal for Academic Excellence, 15th Post Graduate Diploma in Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (2010-2011).
• 2010 Best Paper Award, Seventh Academic Sessions 2010, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka.

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