Dr. Eugene de Silva

Dr. Eugene de Silva is a prominent Sri Lankan-American professor known for his expertise in physics and chemistry. He has made significant contributions to academia, research, and martial arts. Dr. de Silva currently holds the position of director at the Virginia Research Institute and serves as the president of the Tennessee Association of Science Department Chairs. Additionally, he is the founder of the National Accrediting Commission for Martial Arts, USA, and the Society of Martial Arts, UK and a martial arts expert. (1,2,3)
==Early life and education==
Dr. Eugene de Silva was born in Sri Lanka and later relocated to the United Kingdom in 1988. In 1984, he earned his degree in chemistry, followed by several Fellowships in Managements, Manufacturing, and Business Systems in the UK. Dr. de Silva holds two master's degrees—one in chemistry/Quality Assurance and education—from the UK, and an MBA from the United States. He completed his Doctor of Philosophy degree in physics, chemistry, nanotechnology, and plasma physics at a UK university. (1,2,3)
==Career and research==
With over 30 years of experience in education, Dr. de Silva commenced his teaching career as a lecturer in England in 1993. In 2004, he moved to the United States, initially entering the country under the category of "Alien with Extraordinary Abilities." This designation is reserved for individuals who have achieved the pinnacle of their field. After holding various academic positions at US universities, Dr. de Silva became a professor of physics and chemistry for the state of Tennessee. Notably, he played a key role in developing the first online college physics programs (calculus and non-calculus) under the auspices of the Board of Regents for the State of Tennessee in 2011. (1,2,3)
Dr. de Silva is the director of the Virginia Research Institute (VRI), a non-profit organization he established in 2004 to advance education and research in STEM fields. He introduced the START educational model in 2004, emphasizing the importance of Multidisciplinary/Interdisciplinary Research in Science Teaching. He was one of the first to recognize the importance of Multidisciplinary/Interdisciplinary Research in Science Teaching and developed the START educational model in 2004 in the US, as a continuation of his work done in the UK. The START model elaborates the potential benefit of teaching students to conduct multi/interdisciplinary research that combines science and mathematics with non-science subjects such as humanities, languages, politics, and business. His ideas and methods have been adopted by many educators and educational institutions. He is also the president of Tennessee Association of Science Department Chairs (TASDC) since 2008. He was an executive member of the Tennessee Academy of Sciences (TAS), and was also the chair of Institute of Physics UK/USA Branch (South Eastern USA). (4,5,6)
Furthermore, Dr. de Silva has authored numerous books and articles covering materials chemistry, physics, nanotechnology, plasma physics, quality assurance, and intelligence studies. His international recognition is reflected in his inclusion in prestigious publications such as Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in American Education, and Who’s Who in America. He is a chartered chemist, chartered scientist, and chartered physicist, as well as a fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce (RSA). (1,2,3,20)
==International Recognitions and achievements==
In addition to his academic pursuits, Dr. de Silva is a distinguished martial arts expert holding a 9th Dan grade. He founded the international charity known as The Society of Martial Arts (SMA) and introduced the first-ever degree in martial arts worldwide. Notably, he orchestrated a groundbreaking moment in 1998 when martial arts experts received their awards wearing academic regalia in the UK. (7,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
In addition, Dr. de Silva developed the first course in Access to Intelligence, Security, and Terrorism Studies in UK in 1997. During this time period, there was no academic course at this level that covered intelligence and security studies directly. He also developed two models in intelligence covering quality assurance aspect and politicization. These have been adopted by researchers and practitioners in the world in their work and professional assessments. (8, 9, 23)
Dr. de Silva is a Master Reviewer, Facilitator, and a Course and Program Reviewer of Quality Matters and was inducted to the Hall of Excellence of Master Reviewers of Education Programs in 2015. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, UK, Institute of Physics, UK, and Royal Society of Arts, UK. He is a Chartered Chemist, Chartered Physicist, and Chartered Scientist. (1,2,3)
Dr. de Silva's contributions extend to the integration of physics education with martial arts. He initiated Physics Day in the USA in 2005, where the mechanics section of physics is taught through martial arts to high school students. His innovative approach led to contracts for demonstrations at WonderWorks in TN, USA.19
Acknowledging his martial arts prowess, Dr. de Silva was inducted into the Hall of Fame by the World Head of Family Sokeship Council (WHFSC) in 2001 in Florida, USA. He also holds two world records (record setter, 2013) for breaking cinder blocks on different parts of his body. 1,2,3 He set this record by having four cinder blocks smashed on his neck and seven cinder blocks smashed on his groin in 2013 in the US. (10,19)
Dr. de Silva also introduced GED and other online courses to Sri Lanka in 2014, at a time the online education was frowned upon through Virginia Research Institute, USA. (20, 21, 22)
==Personal life==
Dr. Eugene de Silva's only child, Dr. Eugenie Carys de Silva, has made her mark as an academic, becoming the youngest person to graduate from Harvard University at the age of 15 after entering at 13. She completed her master’s degree in intelligence studies from the American Military University in 2016. (11)
Category:Sri Lankan educators
Category:American professors
Category:Sri Lankan people