Dr. Hiruni Harischandra
B.Sc. (ISU, USA), Ph.D. (USA)
Senior Lecturer (Probationary)
hirunih@sci.sjp.ac.lk
Research Interests: To investigate the host-parasite interactions of parasitic nematodes, to understand vectors of zoonotic parasites, and to find innovative solutions for current issues.
Qualifications
B.Sc. in Genetics, (ISU, USA)
Ph.D. in Genetics (USA)
Scholarships / Fellowships:
- Early Career Fellowship, Organization for Women in Science for Developing Countries
Research Grants:
- Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World Early Career Fellowship, Italy. Exploring the usability of Brugia malayi Extracellular Vesicles in a diagnostic platform. Role: Principal investigator.
- Investigator-driven grants, National Research Council, Sri Lanka. Identification and characterization of Brugian parasites of Lymphatic Filariasis in Sri Lanka and their vectors. Role: Co-investigator.
- College of Veterinary Medicine Seed Grant, Iowa State University, USA. Exploring the Functional Biology and Control Application of Brugia malayi Exosome-like Vesicles. Role: Co-investigator.
Research Interests:
- To investigate the host-parasite interactions of parasitic nematodes, to understand vectors of zoonotic parasites, and to find innovative solutions for current issues.
Present research projects:
- Exploring the usability of Brugia malayi Extracellular Vesicles in a diagnostic platform
- Identification and characterization of Brugian parasites of Lymphatic Filariasis in Sri Lanka and their vectors.
Research publications:
- 2018 – Profiling extracellular vesicle release by the filarial nematode Brugia malayi reveals sex-specific differences in cargo and a sensitivity to ivermectin. Harischandra H., Yuan W., Loghry H., Zamanian M. and Kimber M.J. PL6oS Neglected Tropical Diseases (impact factor 4.948), 50 citations.
- 2015 – Release of Small RNA-containing Exosome-like Vesicles from the Human Filarial Parasite Brugia malayi. Zamanian M, Fraser L.M, Agbedanu P, Harischandra H., Moorhead A.R., Day T.A., Bartholomay L.C. and Kimber M.J. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases (impact factor 4.948). (Featured paper of the journal, covered by the BBC radio program “The Naked Scientists” and featured in Science daily) 125 citations.
International / Local abstracts:
- Nimalrathna S.U*., Mallawarachchi C.H., Chandrsena N., de Silva B.G.D.N.K., Kimber M., de Silva N.R., Harischandra H. (2020). A Preliminary Survey for Filarial Parasites among Dogs and Cats in Mahawewa, Puttalam and their Vector Identification. International Meeting on Emerging Diseases and Surveillance, Virtual.
- Harischandra H., Yuan W., Loghry H.J., Zamanian M. and Kimber M.J*. (2018). Filarial nematode extracellular vesicle secretion: Host immunomodulation and anthelmintic mode of action. American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists Annual Meeting, Denver CO, USA.
- Hiruni Harischandra*, Mostafa Zamanian, Tim A. Day, Michael J. Kimber. (2016). Stage Specific Mechanisms of Host Manipulation by Exosome-Like-Vesicles (ELVs) released by the Human Filarial Parasitic Nematode, Brugia malayi. Platform presentation. Graduate & Professional Students’ Research Conference, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.
- Michael Kimber*, Hiruni Harischandra, Mostafa Zamanian, Lisa Fraser, Lyric Bartholomay. (2016). Exosome-like vesicles: a mechanism for effector secretion and host manipulation in animal parasitic nematode infection. Journal of Nematology 48 (4), 338-338.
- Hiruni Harischandra*, Mostafa Zamanian, Tim A. Day, Michael J. Kimber. (2015). Stage Specific Mechanisms of Host Manipulation by Exosome-Like-Vesicles (ELVs) released by the Human Filarial Parasitic Nematode, Brugia malayi. Anthelmintics: From Discovery to Resistance II. San Diego, CA USA.
- Hiruni Harischandra*, Mostafa Zamanian, Tim A. Day, Michael J. Kimber. (2015). Mechanisms of Host Manipulation by Exosome-Like-Vesicles (ELVs) released by the Filarial Parasitic Nematode, Brugia malayi.College of Veterinary Medicine Research Symposium, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA. January.
- Harischandra H., Moorhead A.R., Day T.A., Bartholomay L.C. and Kimber M.J. (2015). Release of Small RNA-containing Exosome-like Vesicles From the Human Filarial Parasite, Brugia malayi. Zamanian M., Agbedanu P.N., Midwest Infectious Neglected Diseases Meeting, University of Notre Dame, South Bend IN, USA.
- Mostafa Zamanian*, Prince Agbedanu, Hiruni Harischandra, Erica Burkman, Andrew R. Moorhead, Tim Day, Lyric Bartholomay, Michael J. Kimber. (2014). Profiling small RNAs in the human filiarian parasite Brugia malayi: a role for RNA-containing exosomes in modulating host biology? Anthelmintics: From Discovery to Resistance. San Francisco, CA USA.
- Emily R. Elliott*, Hiruni Harischandra, Danielle S. Pohl, and Clark R. Coffman. (2013). Life and Death in the Living Embryo: Live-Imaging of Germ Cell Migration and Programmed Cell Death in Drosophila melanogaster. Experimental Biology Meeting, Boston, MA.
Postgraduate supervision- Ph.D. -Principal Supervisor:
- Identifying the etiological agents of Lymphatic filariasis in Sri Lanka and their vectors – Ms. Sachini Nimalratna
Contribution to National Development:
- Resource person for the workshop for A/L Biology stream students organized by the Genetics Society of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka – 2021.
- Resource person for the workshop for A/L Biology teachers organized by the Institute of Biology Sri Lanka – 2021.
- Conducted seminars for A/L Biology stream students of D. S. Senanayake College, Colombo, Ananda College, Colombo, Sri Lanka upon requests from the respective schools – 2020.
- Conducted lectures at the workshop for A/L Biology stream students organized by the Genetics Society of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka – 2020.
- Conducted seminars for A/L Biology students of Musaeus College, Colombo, and schools in the Galle district, Sri Lanka upon requests from the respective schools – 2019.
Membership and positions held in Professional Societies:
- 2020 – current, Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka | Treasurer
- 2020 – current, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene | Member
- 2020 – current, Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene | Member
- 2020 – current, American Committee of Medical Entomology | Member
- 2020 – current, American Committee of Molecular, Cellular and Immunoparasitology | Member
- 2019 – current, Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science | Section D committee member
Editorial and Reviewer functions:
- Reviewed abstracts for the Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka – 2021.
- Reviewed internal grants for the Faculty of Health Sciences, Open University of Sri Lanka – 2020.
- Reviewed abstracts for SLAAS, Section D, Sri Lanka – 2020.