Lab Director
Dr. Dilshan Benaragama
Email: dilshan.benaragama@umanitoba.ca
Phone:​
Dr. Dilshan Benaragama is an Assistant Professor and the Crop Protection Chair in Weed Management in the Department of Plant Science at the University of Manitoba. He received his Ph.D. and M.Sc. degrees from the University of Saskatchewan and his undergraduate degree from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
His research program focuses on understanding weed adaptation to biotic and abiotic factors in agroecosystems, long-term weed dynamics under diverse cropping systems, and the development of integrated weed management strategies. He combines traditional weed science with cutting-edge digital agriculture approaches, including UAV-based remote sensing, multispectral and LiDAR technologies, to study crop–weed interactions and support precision decision-making.
Through his leadership of the Digital Agronomy and Weeds Lab (DAWL), Dr. Benaragama works on developing data-driven tools to improve weed management, enhance crop productivity, and support sustainable agricultural systems. His research aims to bridge the gap between scientific innovation and practical applications for farmers and industry stakeholders.
Dr. Mujahid Hussain
Postdoctoral Fellow
Email: mujahid.hussain@umanitob.ca
mujahidagr@gmail.com
Phone: +1-431-877-8668
WeChat: m03336585704
Dr. Mujahid Hussain is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Manitoba, Canada. He holds a Ph.D. in Agronomy from China Agricultural University and completed his postdoctoral research at Shandong University of Technology, China.
His research focuses on precision agriculture, crop production, and agricultural aviation technologies, with a strong emphasis on sustainable and data-driven farming systems. His work integrates UAV-based multispectral and LiDAR imaging, machine learning for weed detection, and field-scale crop and weed mapping to develop site-specific and targeted management strategies.
Dr. Hussain has extensive experience in plant growth regulators, nanomaterials, and spray technologies, particularly in optimizing droplet deposition and improving agrochemical application efficiency. His research aims to enhance crop productivity while reducing environmental impact through precision input management.
He has authored multiple SCI-indexed publications and actively contributes to the scientific community as a reviewer for peer-reviewed journals and as an associate editor. His long-term goal is to advance resilient and sustainable agricultural systems through innovative precision technologies.
Dr. Kenneth Anku
Postdoctoral Fellow
Email: kenneth.anku@umanitoba.ca
Phone:
Dr. Kenneth Eteme Kwame Anku is a plant scientist from Gbadzeme in the Volta Region of Ghana, with interdisciplinary expertise spanning plant physiology, remote sensing, and precision agriculture. His research focuses on developing innovative, data-driven solutions to improve crop productivity and sustainability.
He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Crop Science from the University of Ghana in 2014, where his research examined wound healing in various wounds of white yam (Dioscorea spp.). He later earned a Master of Science in Biology (Cell and Molecular Biology) in 2017 from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), where he investigated dehydrins and metabolite responses in maize (Zea mays) seedlings under drought and heat stress conditions.
Dr. Anku completed his Ph.D. in 2024 at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada, under the supervision of Dr. David Percival. His doctoral research focused on the remote sensing-based assessment of diseases, phenology, plant phenotypes, and nitrogen status in wild blueberry production systems. Building on this Ph.D. work, he contributed to a major applied research initiative under the Net Zero Atlantic ECT Program during his postdoctoral fellowship, which aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing carbon sequestration in Nova Scotia’s wild blueberry industry.
Currently, Dr. Anku is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Digital Weeds Research Program at the University of Manitoba, Plant Science Department, working under the supervision of Dr. Dilshan Benaragama. His current research integrates plant physiology, remote sensing, and machine learning to model weed-induced yield losses, improve weed detection, and advance precision agriculture technologies. This role has further strengthened his expertise in yield prediction modeling, image segmentation, and agricultural data analytics.
Beyond his academic work, Dr. Anku is committed to mentorship, community development, and youth empowerment. He is actively involved in volunteer initiatives, including Desire Foundation, Rehoboth Spring, and International Youth in Canadian Agriculture (IYCA), supporting outreach programs for underserved communities. Click the link to check my profile and research achievements on LinkedIn and Orchid.
PhD. Student
Indeera Hetti Arachchige
Email: hettiari@myumanitoba.ca
Phone:
MSc. Student
MD Pantha Azad Sabbyashachi
Email: sabbyasp@myumanitoba.ca
Phone:
I am working on developing robust weed management strategies for pulse and soybean crops by integrating herbicides, cultural strategies, and drone spot spraying. Through this work, I aim to develop practical, economically viable weed management recommendations that can be adopted by pulse and soybean growers across the Canadian Prairies. I am a recipient of the University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship. I am interested in applying innovative approaches and drone‑based tools to support on‑farm decision‑making and precision weed management.
Pantha is a master’s student in the Department of Plant Science at the University of Manitoba. His research focuses on developing remote sensing approaches to evaluate best management practices (BMPs) for pulse crops, particularly peas and dry beans.
His work integrates UAV-based remote sensing technologies, including LiDAR and multispectral imagery, with field-based agronomic experiments to better understand crop growth, canopy structure, and responses to management practices. By analyzing high-resolution spatial data and structural crop traits, he aims to improve the monitoring and evaluation of crop performance in modern agricultural systems.
Pantha works with LiDAR point clouds and multispectral imagery to derive structural and spectral crop traits from high-resolution UAV data. His broader goal is to contribute to the development of precision agriculture technologies that enhance crop productivity, sustainability, and resource-use efficiency.
PhD. Student
Lakmini Rathnayaka
Pathiranage
Email: rathnayl@myumanitoba.ca
Phone:
Lakmini Pathiranage is a Ph.D. student in Plant Science at the University of Manitoba working in the Digital Agronomy and Weeds Lab.
MSc. Student
Shirmith Nirmal
Email: kuruppus@myumanitoba.ca
Phone:
Msc. Student
Shamima Sultana
Email: sultan20@myumanitoba.ca
Phone:
Msc. Student
Kosar Eivani
Email: eivanik@myumanitoba.ca
Phone:
I am Shirmith Nirmal, an MSc Student working on using Remote Sensing tools to study the effect of agronomic practices on weed management and crop performance. I received my BSc in Agriculture from University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka in 2022. Joined Digital Agronomy and Weeds Lab in 2024.
I have a deep interest in developing digital tools for crop monitoring to improve production and decision making. My research interests and skills were honored by several awards including:
Janos Boda award in Research GIS in 2025 from Manitoba GIS Users Group, MSc Student Scholarship and Travel Enrichment Experience Award in 2025 from Canadian Weed Science Society and Ian N. Morrison Award for Advanced Studies in crop Protection in 2026 from University of Manitoba.
I am Shamima Sultana, a Graduate Research Assistant in the Department of Plant Science at the University of Manitoba. I started my masters in the Department of Plant Science at the University of Manitoba in September 2024. My research focuses on finding sustainable, a non-chemical strategy to manage kochia [Brassia scoparia (L.) A. J. Scott], one of the most herbicide-resistant weeds in the Canadian Prairies. I am currently exploring how changes in wheat seeding systems and timing can reduce kochia seed production and limit its spread in the soil seed bank. Originally from Bangladesh, I earned a bachelor’s in agriculture from Bangladesh Agricultural University and a Master’s in Horticulture from Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, where I gained strong field and laboratory research experience. At the University of Manitoba, I have also received the International Graduate Student Entrance Scholarship (2024), the Faculty of Graduate Studies Research Completion Scholarship (2025) and the Ian N. Morrison Award for Advanced Studies in Crop Protection (2026) for my academic excellence.
Beyond research, I am actively involved in student leadership as the Vice President (Graduate Relations) of the University of Manitoba Bangladeshi Students’ Association from December 2024. I am passionate about advancing sustainable weed management and using innovative agronomic strategies to support resilient and sustainable agriculture.
Kosar Eivani is a graduate researcher from Iran in the Department of Plant Science at the University of Manitoba, Canada. She is currently pursuing her second Master’s degree, specializing in remote sensing applications for sustainable crop production and precision weed management.
She holds a Master’s degree in Agroecology from Shahid Beheshti University, Iran, and a Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy and Plant Breeding Engineering from Razi University. Her academic background integrates agronomy with data-driven agricultural technologies.
Kosar’s current research focuses on integrating remote sensing technologies and machine learning to develop predictive models for crop yield loss under weed interference. Her work aims to replace conventional weed density-based thresholds with scalable, accurate, and environmentally sustainable decision-support tools, contributing to advancements in precision
MSc. Student
Matt Fallis
Email: fallism@myumanitoba.ca
Phone:
I specializing in plant science, with a focus on remote sensing to develop the best management practices in soybeans. My research explores how digital technologies can be utilized for crop monitoring, yield estimates, and biomass estimates to make management decisions in the field. Through this work, I aim to contribute to more precise and data-driven agricultural practices
MSc. Student
Uthpala Ekanayake
Email: ekanayau@myumanitoba.ca
Phone:
Uthpala Ekanayake is a Master’s student in Weed Science at the University of Manitoba, focusing on the effects of Integrated Crop Management (ICM) on weed phenology and weed seed persistence. Her research aims to optimize cultural and nutrient management strategies to enhance weed control and improve crop competitiveness in spring wheat systems. She has been recognized for her academic and research excellence, receiving the First Place MSc Graduate Student Scholarship (2025) from the Canadian Weed Science Society (CWSS/SCM), sponsored by Bayer Crop Science. She was also awarded Second Runner-Up in the Oral Session (Agronomy and Cropping Systems) at the 40th Plant Science Graduate Student Symposium (2025).
Additionally, Uthpala is a recipient of the Ian N. Morrison Award for Advanced Studies in Crop Protection (2025) and the University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship (2023–2024), reflecting her strong contributions to weed science research.
Msc. Student
Sarangie Athauda
Email: athaudas@myumanitoba.ca
Phone:
I am a Master’s student specializing in Plant Science, with a research focus on crop–weed interactions and precision agriculture. My work involves modelling crop yield loss due to weed competition using RGB image-derived phenotypic traits, integrating high-throughput imaging with quantitative modelling approaches. I am particularly interested in quantifying how weed density and relative emergence timing influence soybean yield, with the aim of developing robust, data-driven strategies for improved and sustainable weed management
Research Technician
Mike Runzika
Email: mick.runzika@umanitoba.ca
Phone:
Mike Runzika is an accomplished Agricultural Research Technician with more than nine years of experience contributing to large‑scale agricultural research projects across Canada. His career includes impactful roles at Bayer Crop Science and Farmers Business Network, where he supported field and laboratory studies aimed at improving crop performance, sustainability, and data‑driven decision‑making in modern agriculture.
Mike has developed strong expertise in designing and establishing experiments, from planning trial layouts to implementing precise research protocols in both field and controlled environments. He is known for meticulous data collection, careful sample handling, and thorough analysis that ensures research outcomes are accurate, reliable, and scientifically sound. His work has supported studies in crop protection, plant health, soil management, and emerging agricultural technologies.
Throughout his career, Mike has built a reputation for attention to detail, consistency in research execution, and a strong commitment to scientific integrity. He thrives in collaborative environments, working closely with agronomists, scientists, and field teams to ensure projects run smoothly from setup to final reporting. His ability to adapt to changing field conditions, troubleshoot equipment, and maintain organized research records makes him a valuable contributor to any research program.
Outside of his professional work, Mike enjoys listening to music and watching documentaries, interests that reflect his curiosity, appreciation for learning, and desire to stay informed about the world around him.