Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025
Ph.D. and Master's Degrees (All Colleges)
3 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Location
Ocean Center Arena
101 N. Atlantic Ave
Daytona Beach, FL 32118
Commencement Speaker
Sirani Mututhanthrige Perera, Ph.D,
Sirani Mututhanthrige Perera, Ph.D,
Dr. Sirani M. Perera holds the position of Associate Professor of Mathematics at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, with recognition as a Rising Star by the Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine of Florida in 2024 and an National Science Foundation (NSF) Convergence Research (CORE) Fellow under the NSF’s Convergence Accelerator Program at the University of California, San Diego in 2023. Her convergence research has led to transformative theories in linear algebra, facilitating the design of low-complexity algorithms for spacecraft trajectory predictions, wireless communication systems, and dataor model-driven learning. Dr. Perera earned her Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Connecticut, USA, following a Master of Advanced Study in Mathematics (Tripos Part III with Honors) from the University of Cambridge, UK, and a B.Sc. in Mathematics (with First-Class Honors) from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. Toward the beginning of her career, she was awarded the prestigious Cambridge Commonwealth Trust by the University of Cambridge and Chevening Colors by the British Council for her exceptional undergraduate performance in mathematics.
Dr. Perera’s research was supported by multiple directorates of the NSF; including the Division of Mathematical Sciences (DMS), the Division of Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems (ECCS), and the Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE), and also the Office of Naval Research(ONR), serving her as Lead Principal Investigator, Principal Investigator, and Co-Principal Investigator. Her current projects span data-driven dynamical-system realization, AI-based resilient sensing, distributed data-science education, and mathematical theories for low-complexity FFT-like algorithms. These grants, coupled with her role as an NSF CORE Fellow and a Rising Star in Science, cite her excellence in applied linear algebra while converging research in applied mathematics, engineering, and theoretical computer science. At Embry-Riddle, she has been honored with the Outstanding Publication Award (2025), the Research and Scholarship Excellence Award (2024), and the Outstanding Advisor for Student Involvement Award (for her advising role at the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers) in 2025. As a mathematician, she has shared her research through over 50 publications, including peer-reviewed journal articles, conference proceedings, and media appearances, with more than 70% of her peer-reviewed work appearing in top-tier Q1 journals over the past ten years. Her works include papers in the IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Signal Processing (Impact Factor 13.7), IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems, IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing, IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, MDPI Drones, Linear Algebra and Its Applications, and the SIAM Journal on Matrix Analysis and Applications, as well as a coauthoring paper in the highly competitive International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML) Proceedings in 2024. As an advisor and mentor, Dr. Perera has guided more than 30 students, including four master’s students in data science, four master’s students and three joint Ph.D. students in aerospace engineering, and many undergraduates who have co-authored publications under her direction. Her students have consistently achieved excellence, earning distinctions such as Outstanding Graduate Student in Data Science (2025) and Outstanding Undergraduate Students in Computational Mathematics (2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2025).
Dr. Perera is the inventor of the U.S. patent Reduced Multiplicative Complexity Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) Circuitry (2021) and the co-inventor of the 2025 patent application Systems and Methods for Reducing the Complexity of Delay Vandermonde Matrix Beamformers, which builds upon the delay Vandermonde matrix that she invented. These breakthroughs have opened pathways toward energy-efficient signal-processing architectures and AI chip design. Through her research, inspired mentorship, and cross-disciplinary leadership, Dr. Perera embodies Embry-Riddle’s mission to push the boundaries of discovery and innovation. Her journey from a mathematician trained in Cambridge and Connecticut to an NSF-funded scientist designing mathematical and machine learning models with low-complexity algorithms for engineering and data science showcases the power of perseverance, intellectual rigor, and creativity.
At the Fall 2025 Hooding and Commencement Ceremony, Dr. Perera brings a message to emphasize the importance of scientific curiosity and human potential, celebrating how mathematical ideas can illuminate new horizons and empower the next generation of explorers, engineers, scientists, and visionaries.
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Cap, Gown and Memorabilia Information
Academic regalia, or the dress uniform of one of the U.S. Armed Forces, is required.
Ph.D. Candidates: Please contact Jennifer Thomas for information on how to secure regalia for the ceremony.
Master’s Candidates: – The deadline to order caps and gowns online through Herff Jones was October 23, 2025. Regalia orders can now be made in person at the University Bookstore and will be charged a $10 late fee.
In-store purchases made at the bookstore after November 15 are not guaranteed and will be charged the $10 late fee plus an additional expedited shipping fee. All cap and gown orders will be distributed at the graduation Lift-Off event hosted by Alumni Engagement on December 5.
Ceremonial Ornamentation: Medallions, Honor Cords, Pins, Stoles, and Sashes
Candidates for master’s and doctoral degrees are only permitted to wear university-issued regalia and approved ornamentation. Any medallions, stoles, pins, sashes, or other accessories obtained during undergraduate studies—whether at Embry-Riddle or another institution—may not be worn with graduate-level academic regalia.
Requests for new ornamentation, including those featuring university trademarks (such as logos or seals), must receive approval from the Office of the Provost at least two months preceding the commencement ceremony.
Students wearing unauthorized or inappropriate attire or adornments at university academic ceremonies may be required to remove or cover them prior to participation. Students who do not comply with university standards will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony.
Ceremony Information
Ph.D. Candidates are to arrive to the Ocean Center at 2:15 p.m. Ph.D. candidates and their dissertation chairs will gather with our platform party in the 103ABC. Additional details will be sent via email as the event approaches. Due to the limited amount of space, family members and friends will not be permitted access to the meeting room.
Master’s Candidates are to arrive dressed in regalia no later than 2 p.m. You will check in with your college to receive your announcer card.
The ceremony will begin promptly with our processional. The anticipated length of the ceremony is 1.5 hours. We ask that you kindly stay in your seat for the duration of the ceremony; be courteous to the graduates and their families and remain seated until the conclusion of the ceremony.
Note: Graduates should not bring any personal belongings that they cannot keep on their person during the Commencement ceremonies. No secure storage areas are available, and University staff will not take possession of, or responsibility for, personal belongings during the ceremonies.
Guest Information
Family, friends and guests will enter through the West Concourse (Earl Street, directly across from Daytona Lagoon and the parking garage). Doors will open at 2 p.m. No tickets are required for entry, and seating will be on a first come, first served basis. Saving seats, however, will not be permitted. The Ocean Center has accommodations for those guest needing Disability and Limited Mobility Accommodations.
To accommodate families and friends of our graduates who are not able to attend the commencement ceremony, the event will be webcast live. A “watch now” link will posted on the homepage the morning of the ceremony.
The possession or use of alcohol, noise-making devices (air horns), firecrackers, balloons, flags, banners or illegal substances is strictly prohibited. Cell phones and pagers must be turned to silent.
Parking
Parking is available on the day of the ceremony for $15 (cash only) in the designated Ocean Center Parking Lots. Parking outside of these designated lots may result in higher parking rates and are managed by third-party businesses,
Note: Parking in Ocean Center parking lots is limited and has run out in the past that parking is first come, first served. Carpooling and early arrival are strongly recommended. Graduates: Consider parking time and walk time to the Ocean Center to ensure you are arriving by your designated arrival time. Students are placed in a specific order for line-up, so prompt arrival is imperative.