Professional Summary
Pasidu Dharmasena is a PhD student in Civil Engineering at the University of Cincinnati. He is a lead researcher in the Building Energy Assessments, Solutions, and Technologies (BEAST) Laboratory under the supervision of Dr. Nabil Nassif. His research focuses on data-driven and AI-based analysis of HVAC systems, including predictive modeling, digital twins, and performance optimization of chillers, heat pumps, and air-side systems.
He earned his Master of Science in Civil Engineering (Building Systems) from the University of Cincinnati, where he studied novel economizer damper control strategies to improve HVAC efficiency. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology. His broader goal is to improve building energy efficiency and operational decision-making through practical, experimentally validated solutions.
Education
Bachelor of Science of Engineering Honors: Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology Sri Lanka, 2021 (Civil Engineering)
Master of Science: University of Cincinnati USA, 2024 (Civil Engineering- Building Systems)
Publications
Peer Reviewed Publications
PM Dharmasena, DPP Meddage, ASM Mendis (2022). Investigating applicability of sawdust and retro-reflective materials as external wall insulation under tropical climatic conditions. Asian Journal of Civil Engineering, 23 (4) , 531-539More Information
Pasidu Dharmasena, Nabil Nassif (2024). Testing, Validation, and Simulation of a Novel Economizer Damper Control Strategy to Enhance HVAC System Efficiency. Buildings, 14 (9) , 2937More Information
Reddy Y.S.K, Dharmasena P., Nassif N. (2026). A Novel R718 Two-stage Wet-Compression Industrial Heat Pump Integrated with Thermal Energy Storage for Enhancing Grid Flexibility. Energy Conversion and Management, 350, 120951More Information
Adam Nassif, Pasidu Dharmasena, Nabil Nassif (2025). Application of Machine Learning Techniques for Predicting Heating Coil Performance in Building Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems. Energies, 18 (9) , 2314More Information
Yosef Jaber, Pasidu Dharmasena, Adam Nassif, Nabil Nassif (2025). Hyperparameter Optimization of Neural Networks Using Grid Search for Predicting HVAC Heating Coil Performance. Buildings, 15 (15) , 2753More Information
Pasidu Dharmasena, Nabil Nassif (2025). Development and Optimization of a Novel Damper Control Strategy Integrating DCV and Duct Static Pressure Setpoint Reset for Energy-Efficient VAV Systems. Buildings, 15 (4) , 518More Information
Md Mahmudul Hasan, Pasidu Dharmasena, Nabil Nassif (2025). Dynamic Multi-Output Stacked-Ensemble Model with Hyperparameter Optimization for Real-Time Forecasting of AHU Cooling-Coil Performance. Energies, 19 (1) , 82More Information
Khaled Eid, Pasidu Dharmasena, Nabil Nassif (2025). Predictive Modeling for Energy Efficiency in Residential Heat Pumps. ASHRAE Winter Conference 2025, 131 (0001-2505) -9More Information
Presentations
Invited Presentations
Pasidu Dharmasena (02-03-2026. ) AI-Driven Predictive Modeling and Optimization for Enhanced Indoor Air Quality, Energy Efficiency, and HVAC System Resilience .Las Vegas, NV.
Pasidu Dharmasena (08-11-2024. ) Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems: Research Insights and Approaches .Cincinnati, OH.
Poster Presentations
Pasidu Dharmasena, Nabil Nassif (04-29-2024. ) Cost Effective Solutions to Achieve High-efficient and Affordable Clean Building Energy Systems .Cincinnati, OH. .
Pasidu Dharmasena, Nabil Nassif (03-02-2026. ) Integration of Heating and Cooling Water Loops with a Dual-Mode Coil Configuration to Enhance HVAC Efficiency .Las Vegas, NV. .
Paper Presentations
Dharmasena, P.M., Wickramasinghe, W.M.V.S.K., & Amarasigha (10-16-2021. ) Introduction of two-way center turn lane in Sri Lanka .Colombo, Sri Lanka. Conference.
Honors and Awards
University of Research Council (URC) Summer Graduate Student Research Fellowship Award UC Office of Research Status:Recipient Type:Fellowship
J.R. Anderson travel award ASHRAE Status:Recipient
Best Research Paper in Transportation Planning Research for Transport and Logistics Industry Status:Recipient
Contact Information
729 Mantei Center,
2901 Woodside Drive,
Cincinnati,
Ohio, 45221
dharmapm@mail.uc.edu