I was born and raised in Panadura, Sri Lanka, a city often known as "Bauddha Purawaraya" (the City of Buddhism) because of its strong Buddhist heritage. Buddhism has been part of my life for generations. My parents, grandparents, and relatives have all practiced Buddhism, and I grew up in an environment where Buddhist values were a natural part of everyday life. From childhood, I participated in many Buddhist activities with my family. We regularly visited the temple, offered Buddha Puja, worshipped the Twenty-Eight Buddha Statues, participated in Katina Pinkama, and joined Vesak celebrations (Buddha Day celebrations). During Vesak, my family contributed to alms stall and other community activities that brought people together through generosity and kindness. These experiences taught me that Buddhism is not only about personal faith but also about compassion, generosity, and helping others. Even today, while pursuing my PhD in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering in the United States, Buddhism remains an important part of my daily life. I worship the Buddha every day, light an oil lamp, observe the Five Precepts, and practice Maitri Bhavana meditation. Whenever I find free time, I listen to Buddhist sermons and teachings. These help me maintain a calm mind and remind me to approach life with compassion, patience, and gratitude. One Buddhist teaching that deeply influences me is the understanding that our lives are like a stay at an “Ambalama”, a temporary resting place along the long journey of “Sansaraya” (the cycle of birth and rebirth). This perspective reminds me that our time in this life is limited and precious. Because of this, I believe we should use our lives wisely, help others whenever possible, and strive to leave the world better than we found it. While we continue our journey through Sansaraya, we should strive to reduce suffering for ourselves and others and move closer to Nibbana, the ultimate freedom from suffering. This understanding is closely connected to another Buddhist teaching that guides my life, "ලද දෙයින් සතුටුවන්න" (being content with what we have). In a world where people constantly compare themselves to others, this teaching reminds me to be grateful for what I have, appreciate the opportunities I receive, and find inner peace even during difficult times. Another important part of my faith is the value of Kalyana Mittata, spiritual friendship. In Buddhism, the Sangha is considered a Kalyana Mithura- a noble friend who helps guide us toward the right path. Having the guidance of the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha helps me make thoughtful decisions and remain focused on what truly matters in life. I am also trying to deepen my understanding of the Four Noble Truths (Chathurarya Sathya), which explain the nature of suffering and the path toward liberation. These teachings remind me that material success alone is not the ultimate goal of life. Rather, we should cultivate wisdom, compassion, and ethical conduct while helping other living beings. These values have shaped my future goals. Through my education and research, I hope to contribute to society and improve people's lives. I also hope to support and mentor students who face challenges in pursuing higher education. My goal is not only to build a successful career but also to make a positive difference in the world. Whether through research, education, community service, or simple acts of kindness, I hope to reduce suffering and help others during my short stay in this life. The values of compassion, mindfulness, gratitude, and service that I learned growing up in Panadura continue to guide me every day, and I hope to honor them by giving back to society and helping those in need.

Growing up in Sri Lanka, I was always curious about how things worked. As a child, I enjoyed science and mathematics, but I was especially fascinated by materials, machines, and how engineering could improve people’s lives. I did not grow up surrounded by advanced technology or research opportunities, so I learned to observe, question, and solve problems creatively with the resources available to me. Over time, that curiosity developed into a passion for engineering and eventually led me to pursue a Ph.D. in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering at New Mexico Tech in the United States. My academic journey has not been straightforward. I initially entered graduate studies through Physics, but over time I realized that I wanted to apply scientific principles more directly to real-world engineering challenges. That realization motivated my transition into Materials and Metallurgical Engineering. I became deeply interested in understanding how materials behave under extreme conditions and how engineering research can improve safety, reliability, and sustainability in modern technologies. My research focuses on material behavior under high strain-rate conditions, particularly micro-particle impacts and microscopic failure mechanisms. I am especially interested in how materials respond in extreme environments and how this knowledge can improve systems used in aerospace, manufacturing, transportation, and protective technologies. Even a small material failure in these environments can lead to serious consequences. Understanding these behaviors can help engineers design safer and more reliable materials for future technologies. Before joining my current Ph.D. program, I worked on solar-energy-related research at the Open University of Sri Lanka, where I studied dye-sensitized semiconductor materials for solar-cell applications. That experience strengthened my interest in sustainable engineering and showed me how materials research can contribute to solving global challenges. Later, during my master’s degree in Applied Electronics at the University of Colombo, I designed and developed a 2-D ultrasonic anemometer and wind vane weather-parameter measuring system. Through these experiences, I realized that engineering is about creating solutions that improve safety and quality of life. Coming to the United States as a first-generation immigrant student was one of the biggest transitions of my life. I had to adapt to a completely new educational system, research culture, and environment while balancing financial pressure and the challenges of graduate school. Although the journey was difficult, those experiences strengthened my resilience and determination. They also taught me the importance of mentorship and supportive academic communities. Dr. Hassan Homami’s story deeply resonates with me because he believed in education, lifelong learning, and helping others while pursuing his own goals. Like him, I understand the challenges of balancing responsibilities and higher education while continuing to move forward with purpose. His dedication to mentorship is especially meaningful to me because I know how important guidance and encouragement can be for students who sometimes feel isolated in engineering environments. Throughout my journey, I have tried to support and encourage other students whenever possible, especially women and international students in STEM. Through organizations such as AAUW and SWE, I have connected with communities that promote educational access and support women in engineering. Recently, I was honored to receive both the Robbie Jones Memorial Scholarship and the NMT-AAUW Scholarship, which encouraged me to continue pursuing my goals despite financial and personal challenges. My long-term goal is to continue expanding my knowledge in materials engineering while contributing to research that improves the safety and reliability of advanced technologies. At the same time, I hope to mentor and encourage future students from underrepresented and immigrant backgrounds. I want my work to combine technical innovation, resilience, and mentorship in the same spirit that Dr. Hassan demonstrated throughout his life.

My name is Chamindri Sulakshi Hemendra, and I am a Ph.D. student in Materials Engineering at New Mexico Tech. Long before I ever set foot in the United States, I started living the American Dream. It all started in Sri Lanka, where I first became interested in science and where I first saw how important education can be. As a student, I was always interested in how the materials we use in our daily lives affect the technologies we use. I often thought about becoming a researcher who could look into those ideas and help make new discoveries in science. But there weren't many chances for me to do advanced research in my home country, and that dream sometimes seemed out of reach. Coming to the United States to continue my education made that far-off dream come true. The American Dream is being able to turn your curiosity into knowledge and your hard work into something that matters. It is the idea that someone who starts their journey on a small island thousands of miles away can do scientific research and help researchers all over the world. My family in Sri Lanka really valued education when I was growing up. I've always been interested in science and how materials change the world around us, from simple technologies to more complex engineering uses. I used to be curious about how scientists find new materials and come up with ways to improve people's lives. But in my home country, there weren't many chances to do advanced research or work in cutting-edge labs. I was still very curious, but I knew that to become a researcher, I would have to leave the life I was used to. That step eventually took me to the United States to finish my education. Moving to a new country was both exciting and hard. I had to get used to a new school, a new culture, and the fact that I was going to have to make a life for myself far away from my family and home. But every problem made me more determined. Every new thing I did reminded me of why I chose this path in the first place. I am a research assistant and am working on my PhD in Materials Engineering. My research is about finding out how materials behave under extreme conditions. Every day in the lab reminds me that it takes time, effort, and working together to learn new things about science. I really appreciate being able to work somewhere that encourages curiosity and new ideas. For me, the American Dream is more than just getting ahead in life. It means having opportunities that help people grow, do good things, and inspire others. I've learned more through school, worked with smart researchers, and looked into questions that I thought were impossible to answer. I've also met other students through groups like the Society of Women Engineers and the American Association of University Women, in addition to my research. These groups help and mentor women who work in STEM fields. These experiences have taught me that the American Dream isn't just about getting ahead on your own; it's also about helping others along the way. I don't think that money or power are what the American Dream is all about. Instead, it is defined by the idea that hard work, determination, and learning can make things that seemed impossible possible. This is possible because I went from Sri Lanka to the USA. The American Dream isn't just a dream; every step I take in my research and education shows me that.