In this podcast we will talking about Dr. Himesh Jayasinghe’s incredible journey of switching fields from Engineering to Plant Science. He is the author of the book "DISCOVERY: Additions to the Flora of Ceylon" where shares the discovery of more than 200 new native plant species from Sri Lanka. Dr. Jayasinghe received his undergraduate degree from the University of Moratuwa where he specialized in Civil Engineering. He was always passionate about studying nature and would always choose projects that took him close to the natural habitats of Sri Lanka. With mentoring of Dr. Syril Wijesundara he embarked on his PhD at the National Institutes of Fundamental Studies in Sri Lanka. 

Time stamps

00:00 About Guest

01:13 Himesh’s story

02:09 Ambitions as a school boy

03:36 Importance of Plant Science

06:40 Changing from Engineering to Plant Science

09:56 Do Environmental people ruin Civil engineering projects

15:13 Inspiration behind the book: “Discovery”

18:55 Training the eye to identify plants

20:29 Purpose behind the book

21:34 How to classify plants?

29:59 Opportunities for Plant Science in Sri Lanka

34:16 Advice for future students

37:16 Fieldwork pictures

56:24 How to contact Dr. Himesh