Dr. Eranga Galappaththi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography at Virginia Tech. His research focuses on understanding complex human-environmental system changes, addressing the central question: How do Indigenous communities experience and respond to change? He has established long-term research collaborations with Indigenous communities across the global north and south. With extensive experience working alongside Indigenous communities in Sri Lanka and the Canadian Arctic, his research integrates Indigenous knowledge and scientific approaches to address pressing environmental and social challenges.   His NSF-funded community-based participatory research with Indigenous Vedda communities in Sri Lanka and Inuit communities in Canada’s Arctic focuses on identifying and addressing challenges defined by the communities themselves, rather than imposing external research agendas. This approach ensures that the research aligns with community-identified needs and priorities. Dr. Galappaththi also contributed to the UKRI-funded COVID Observatories project (2021–2023) and is a co-PI for the Indigenous Peoples Observatories Network (IPON) project (2024–2026). Dr. Galappaththi has supervised and guided four PhD students, six master’s students, and five research assistants. He holds a PhD in Geography (2020) from McGill University. Dr. Galappaththi has a strong publication record, with peer-reviewed research articles in prestigious journals such as The Lancet Planetary Health, Nature Climate Change, and One Earth, along with book chapters. He has also contributed to high-profile reports, including those for the United Nations, such as the IPCC and FAO. Additionally, he serves as an Associate Editor for Cambridge Prisms: Coast Futures. Dr. Galappaththi has conducted over 60 manuscript reviews for international peer-reviewed journals and evaluated grant proposals for organizations such as the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), the Virginia Sea Grant program, and the FONDECYT program in Chile, showcasing his global influence. He has delivered invited talks and guest lectures at esteemed institutions, including the Aspen Global Change Institute, the Center for Ocean Solutions at Stanford University, and the Vermont Council on World Affairs. As a researcher, educator, and mentor, Eranga leads the IRI Lab, guiding students and advancing research that bridges academia and community needs, informs policy, and fosters sustainability in Indigenous communities worldwide. Areas of Expertise: Climate-food-health nexus (global research networks) Climate change adaptation, resilience, & vulnerability (community-based research) Social-ecological systems (fisheries and aquaculture) Indigenous peoples & knowledge systems (Arctic & Sri Lanka) Multi-level governance (commons, adaptive co-management) Systematic literature reviews (tracing & tracking) Education: Ph.D. - McGill University, Canada, 2020 M.Sc. - University of Manitoba, Canada, 2013 M.B.A. – University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2010 B.Sc. - Ocean University of Sri Lanka, 2005

Hey there, I'm Sithuni Jayasekara (Sithu), a first-year PhD student in the Department of Geography at Virginia Tech. I'm a research assistant in our lab, IRI, working with Sri Lankan Indigenous peoples (Vedda). My research passion began with my first visit to Sri Lankan Indigenous communities on May 2023, where I saw firsthand their marginalization. This experience awakened my focus on climate change adaptation, food security, Indigenous food systems, and vulnerability. I always strive to engage in community-based participatory research, collaborating with Indigenous peoples to develop research questions together, rather than imposing questions and expecting answers from them. Beyond academic interactions, I deeply value genuine friendships with Indigenous peoples, often calling my Indigenous friends monthly. I'm involved with the Indigenous Peoples' Observatories Network (IPON), where I represent Sri Lanka and advocate for Vedda issues. For my master's, I conducted research on Indigenous food system governance, examining global variations through a systematic literature review and local realities via a multi-sited case study with Sri Lankan Indigenous peoples. My academic and professional journey began after I earned my bachelor's degree in Agricultural Technology and Management from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. I then served as a temporary lecturer at the same university for one year. Throughout my teaching career, I am happy to have received the Best Teaching Assistant Award in the Department of Geography at Virginia Tech in 2024. I really enjoy documenting my life through photos and videos, sharing these glimpses on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. You might even find yourself overwhelmed by my daily uploads--Just Kidding! Email: sithunimimasha@vt.edu LinkedIn | X

Hello! My name is Hannah Garbutt, and I am currently a master's student in the Department of Geography at Virginia Tech. My research interests involve climate change adaptation, Indigenous knowledge systems, feminist geography, and vulnerability. I became a member of the IRI lab in 2022 as an undergraduate student looking to get involved in research. Joining the lab has been extremely influential to my academic career as it has allowed me to further develop my research interests by being involved in multiple projects surrounding climate change adaptation and Indigenous Peoples. Specifically, the lab has taught me about working with Indigenous communities and community-based participatory approaches to fieldwork research. My graduate research focuses on studying how Indigenous women in Sri Lanka experience and respond to climate change. This project will build upon previous and current projects the lab is working on with Indigenous Vedda communities in Sri Lanka. To complete this project, I will travel to Sri Lanka to conduct semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and key-informant interviews in 3-5 Vedda communities this summer. I have also worked on a systematic literature review to develop an understanding of climate change adaption at the national level in Sri Lanka. Further, in 2024 I joined the Indigenous Peoples Observatories Network (IPON) where I participate in their gender, evidence and synthesis, and ethics working groups. I received my bachelor's degree in Geography from Virginia Tech in December 2023. I also graduated with two minors in Sociology and Pathways to Sustainability. I was honored to receive the College of Natural Resources and the Environment award for Outstanding Geography Senior in 2024. In my free time, I enjoy spending quality time with family and friends by sharing meals together, sharing music, and being outdoors. Please contact me via email: hannaheg@vt.edu