Chanuka Samith Dissanayake

PhD Candidate at University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

About

PhD Candidate in Financial Mathematics | Quantitative Researcher | Award-Winning Educator I am a fifth-year PhD candidate in Mathematics specializing in financial mathematics, with a strong focus on principal-agent problems with volatility control. My research combines mathematical analysis with numerical methods to solve complex problems at the intersection of finance and optimization. Research & Industry Experience: I develop and implement computational solutions for stochastic control problems in finance. My work bridges theory and practice-evidenced by my participation in the Math-to-Industry Bootcamp, where I collaborated with US Bank on mortgage-backed securities (MBS) pricing models. With a solid programming background, I specialize in translating mathematical frameworks into practical, implementable solutions. Teaching Excellence: Teaching is central to my professional identity. I have instructed Calculus I and Algebra during several semesters. I served as the instructor for the Summer Engineering Academy (2024, 2025), teaching Calculus I and Precalculus to aspiring engineers. My dedication to student success has earned me nominations for the Elizabeth Baranger Teaching Award in both 2024 and 2025. Additionally, I have served as a Teaching Assistant for Calculus I, II, III, and Predictive Analytics. Leadership & Service: I am committed to building academic communities. I have served as Vice President for both the Graduate Student Organization and the SIAM (Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics) Student Chapter. Previously, I was President of the Rotaract Club of Kandy (2021), where I led service initiatives and community engagement projects. What I Bring: - Advanced quantitative and analytical skills in stochastic processes and financial modeling. - Strong programming capabilities for numerical analysis and computational finance. - Proven track record in communicating complex mathematical concepts to diverse audiences. - Leadership experience in academic and service organizations. - Industry exposure through collaborative projects with financial institutions. I am seeking opportunities in quantitative finance and academia where I can apply my mathematical expertise, computational skills, and passion for problem-solving to create meaningful impact.

Experience

  • University of Pittsburgh (5 yrs)
    • PhD Candidate
      Nov 2025 - Present · 9 mos

    • Graduate Teaching Fellow
      Mar 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 5 mos

    • Graduate Teaching Assistant
      Aug 2021 - Jan 2025 · 3 yrs 6 mos

  • Rotaract Club of Kandy (6 yrs 11 mos)
    • Past President
      Dec 2021 - May 2025 · 3 yrs 6 mos

    • Immediate Past President
      Jul 2021 - Dec 2021 · 6 mos

    • President
      Jul 2020 - Jun 2021 · 1 yr

  • Graduate Teaching Assistant at University of Peradeniya
    Mar 2020 - Jun 2021 · 1 yr 4 mos

  • Mathematics Tutor at Self-employed
    Dec 2014 - Jun 2021 · 6 yrs 7 mos

  • Student at University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
    Jan 2016 - Mar 2020 · 4 yrs 3 mos