{"id":16,"date":"2021-11-24T18:02:06","date_gmt":"2021-11-24T18:02:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/science.sjp.ac.lk\/gmb\/?page_id=16"},"modified":"2026-01-21T08:20:42","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T08:20:42","slug":"academic-staff","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/science.sjp.ac.lk\/gmb\/academic-staff\/","title":{"rendered":"Academic Staff"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”3929″ img_size=”medium”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text]Dr. D. Pamoda W. Jayatunga<\/strong>
\n<\/strong>B.Sc. (Colombo), A. I. Chem. C., M. Phil. (USJ), PhD (Australia)
\nSenior Lecturer and Coordinator of the Unit<\/strong><\/p>\n

pamoda@sci.sjp.ac.lk<\/a>,<\/div>\n

Research Interests: Molecular Neuroscience, Neuroprotection, Nutraceuticals
\n\"scholar\"<\/a> \"researchgate\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Teaching:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 101 2.0 Molecular Cell Biology<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 317 2.0 Biochemistry<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 323 2.0 Protein Engineering<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 407 1.0 Scientific Writing<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 131 1.0 Laboratory work in Genetics and Molecular Cell Biology\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 336 1.0 Laboratory work in Biochemistry, RNA, and Proteins<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Work experiences:<\/strong><\/p>\n

April 2021\u2013 to date<\/strong><\/p>\n

Senior Lecturer \u2013 Genetics and Molecular Biology\u00a0Unit, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”3927″ img_size=”medium”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text]Senior Prof. B. G. D. Nissanka K. de Silva
\n<\/strong>B.Sc. (USJP), PhD (USJP)
\nSenior Professor<\/strong>
\nnissanka@sci.sjp.ac.lk<\/a>, <\/span>nissanka@sjp.ac.lk<\/a>, <\/span>nissankakolitha@gmail.com<\/a>
\nResearch interests: Molecular Biology, Medical Entomology, Molecular Entomology
\n\"scholar\"<\/a>\"researchgate\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Teaching:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 326 2.0 Molecular Entomology<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Work experiences:<\/strong><\/p>\n

2023 September \u2013 2025 February – Consultant Senior Research Fellow, SLIBTEC<\/strong><\/p>\n

2023 April \u2013 2023 July – Visiting Research Fellow, Ralph & Sarich Neuroscience center, Perth, Australia<\/strong><\/p>\n

2022 Feb. – 2022 Dec. \u2013 Head, Department of Zoology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura<\/strong><\/p>\n

2016 \u2013 2022 – Director, Center for Biotechnology, Department of Zoology<\/strong><\/p>\n

2017 \u2013 2022 – Coordinator, Genetics and Molecular Biology Unit, Faculty of Applied Sciences<\/strong><\/p>\n

2017 \u2013 2019 – Coordinator, Biology Degree Programme, Faculty of Applied Sciences<\/strong><\/p>\n

2017\u2013 to date – Senior Professor in the Department of Zoology<\/strong><\/p>\n

 [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”3926″ img_size=”medium”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text]Senior Prof. Dinithi Peiris
\n<\/strong>B.Sc. (Colombo), PhD (Sheffield, UK)
\nSenior Professor
\n<\/strong>dinithi@sci.sjp.ac.lk
\n<\/a>Research Interests: Pharmacognosy, Molecular pathway analysis, in silico analysis, Infertility
\n\"scholar\"<\/a>\"researchgate\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Teaching:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 313 1.0 Cell Signalling and Signal Transduction<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 304 1.0 Developmental Genetics<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 403 1.0 \/ GMB 464 1.0 Stem Cells and Regenerative Biology<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Work experiences:<\/strong><\/p>\n

2015 \u2013 to date: Professor -Department of Zoology \/ Genetics & Molecular Biology Unit, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.<\/strong><\/p>\n

2013 \u2013 2015 Senior Lecturer: G1 – Department of Zoology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka<\/strong><\/p>\n

2008\u20132012 Research Fellow: Dept of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, BC, Canada<\/strong><\/p>\n

2006\u20132008: Senior Lecturer I- Department of Zoology, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.<\/strong><\/p>\n

2004-2006: Post-Doctoral Fellow- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Queens\u2019 University, Ontario, Canada.<\/strong><\/p>\n

1999\u20132004: Senior Lecturer II: Department of Zoology, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. \u2013 Responsibilities same as for Senior lecture grade 1.<\/strong><\/p>\n

1995\u20131999: Graduate assistant- Dept. of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of Sheffield, UK.<\/strong><\/p>\n

1994\u20131999: Lecturer-Department of Zoology, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”3925″ img_size=”medium”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text]Dr. D. H. H. Munasinghe
\n<\/strong>B.Sc. (Colombo) M.Sc. (South Korea) Ph.D. (UK)
\nProfessor
\n<\/strong>h_munasinghe@yahoo.com
\n<\/a>Research Interests: Microbiology, Physiology, Analysis of Food Quality, Marine Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience and Caenorhabditis elegans research
\n\"scholar\"<\/a>\"researchgate\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”3922″ img_size=”medium”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text]Dr. Hiruni Harischandra<\/strong>
\nB.Sc. (ISU, USA), Ph.D. (USA)
\nSenior Lecturer
\n<\/strong>hirunih@sci.sjp.ac.lk<\/a>
\nResearch Interests: Host-parasite interactions of parasitic nematodes, Vectors of zoonotic parasites.
\n<\/strong>\"scholar\"<\/a>\"researchgate\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Teaching:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 102 2.0 Fundamentals of Genetics<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 103 2.0 Fundamentals of Molecular Genetics\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 205 1.0 Gene Expression and Regulation\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 348 1.0 Research Skills Development\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 333 2.0 Mini-project<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 131 1.0 Laboratory work in Genetics and Molecular Cell Biology\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 231 1.0 Laboratory work in Cloning and Gene Expression<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Work experiences:<\/strong><\/p>\n

2018 June \u2013 to date: Senior Lecturer – Genetics and Molecular Biology Unit, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”4576″ img_size=”medium”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text]Dr. Kasun M. Thambugala<\/strong><\/p>\n

B.Sc. Hons (Kalaniya), PhD (MFLU, Thailand), PhD (Kelaniya)
\nSenior Lecturer
\n<\/strong>kasun@sci.sjp.ac.lk
\n<\/a>Research Interests: Fungal Systematics, Bioinformatics, Plant pathology, Microbial Genetics, Biotechnology
\n\"scholar\"<\/a>\"researchgate\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Teaching:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 105 2.0 Techniques in Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 209 1.0 Introduction to Bioinformatics<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 204 2.0 Microbes and Microbial Genetics<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 311 2.0 Modern Biotechnology<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 408 2.0 \/ ASB 466 2.0 Marine Biotechnology for Sustainable Development<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 413 2.0 \/ ASB 463 2.0 Tissue and Cell Culture<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 232 1.0 Laboratory Work in Microbial Genetics and Immunology<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 132 1.0 Laboratory Work in Molecular Biology Techniques<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 329 1.0 Occupational Competence (Course coordinator)<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 340 2.0 Special Topics in Genetics and Molecular Biology (Course coordinator)<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 341 3.0 Current Topics in Genetics and Molecular Biology (Course coordinator)<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Work experiences:<\/strong><\/p>\n

2013 March \u2013 2017 October: Visiting Scholar, Guizhou Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biotechnology, People\u2019s Republic of China.<\/strong><\/p>\n

2018 February \u2013 2018 November: Senior Scientist, Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

2018 December \u2013 2020 February: Lecturer, Faculty of Science and Technology, \u00a0Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

2020 August \u2013 to date:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lecturer, Genetics and Molecular Biology \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Unit, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”3923″ img_size=”medium”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text]Dr. Samawansha Tennakoon<\/strong>
\n<\/strong>BSc. in Genetics (Ind), MSc in Biomedical Basis of Diseases (UK),
\nPhD in Malignant Diseases (AUT)<\/p>\n

Senior Lecturer
\n<\/strong>samawansha@sci.sjp.ac.lk<\/a>, samawansha@gmail.com<\/a>
\nResearch Interests: Cell receptors and cell signaling, Molecular pathology, Therapeutic effects of herbal medicine, Molecular diagnosis of diseases
\n\"scholar\"<\/a> \"researchgate\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Teaching:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 203 1.0 Genomics and Proteomics<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 412 2.0 \/ ASB 469 2.0 Molecular Diagnostics and Therapeutics<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 413 2.0 \/ ASB 463 2.0 Tissue and Cell Culture<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 419 1.0 Systems Biology<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 415 1.0 \/ ASB 468 1.0 Journal Club<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 401 2.0 Case Studies in Genetics and Molecular Biology<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 131 1.0 Laboratory work in Genetics and Molecular Cell Biology\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 336 1.0 Laboratory work in Biochemistry, RNA, and Protein Techniques<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 340 2.0 Special Topics in Genetics and Molecular Biology<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 341 3.0 Current Topics in Genetics and Molecular Biology<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Work experiences:<\/strong><\/p>\n

2021 December to present: Lecturer (Unconfirmed) – Genetics and Molecular Biology Unit, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.<\/strong><\/p>\n

2020 Sep \u2013 2021 Sep: Visiting Lecturer, Rajarata University, Sri Lanka<\/strong><\/p>\n

2011 Oct\u2013 2015 Dec: Marie Curie Early-Stage Researcher (ESR), Medical University of Vienna, Austria<\/strong><\/p>\n

2014 April\u2013 2014 June: Visiting Research Associate, Cardiff University, UK<\/strong><\/p>\n

2011 Mar \u2013 2011 Sep: Researcher, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Austria<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”3920″ img_size=”medium”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text]Dr. Dilakshini Daynanda<\/strong>
\n<\/strong>BSc (Colombo), PhD (USJP)
\nSenior Lecturer (On contract)
\n<\/strong>dilakshini@sci.sjp.ac.lk<\/a>
\nResearch Interests: Viruses, Vector borne diseases, Immunology
\n\"scholar\"<\/a> \"researchgate\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Teaching:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 105 2.0 Techniques in Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 348 1.0 Research skills and development<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 344 1.0 RNA Biology<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 345 1.0 Virology<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 415 1.0 \/ ASB 468 1.0 Journal Club<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 401 2.0 Case Studies in Genetics and Molecular Biology<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 132 1.0 Laboratory Work in Molecular Biology Techniques<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 336 1.0 Laboratory work in Biochemistry, RNA, and Protein Techniques<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 340 2.0 Special Topics in Genetics and Molecular Biology<\/strong><\/p>\n

GMB 341 3.0 Current Topics in Genetics and Molecular Biology<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Work experiences:<\/strong><\/p>\n

2023 January \u2013 to date <\/strong>Senior Lecturer (On contract)- Genetics and Molecular Biology Unit, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.<\/strong><\/p>\n

2022\u20132023 <\/strong>Lecturer (On contract) – Genetics and Molecular Biology Unit, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.<\/strong><\/p>\n

2019\u20132021(June)\u00a0 <\/strong>Research Assistant, Centre for Biotechnology, Department of Zoology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

2016\u20132017 <\/strong>Research Assistant, Centre for Biotechnology, Department of Zoology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

2013\u20132016 Research Assistant, Department of Zoology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

2008\u20132011 <\/strong>Scientific Assistant, Staff Development Centre, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

2006\u20132008 <\/strong>Temporary Demonstrator, Department of Zoology, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”3929″ img_size=”medium”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text]Dr. D. Pamoda W. Jayatunga B.Sc. (Colombo), A. I. Chem. C., M. Phil. (USJ), PhD (Australia) Senior Lecturer and Coordinator of the Unit pamoda@sci.sjp.ac.lk, Research Interests: Molecular Neuroscience, Neuroprotection, Nutraceuticals     Teaching:\u00a0 GMB 101 2.0 Molecular Cell Biology GMB 317 2.0 Biochemistry GMB 323 2.0 Protein Engineering GMB 407 1.0 … Continue reading Academic Staff<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_ti_tpc_template_sync":false,"_ti_tpc_template_id":"","footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/science.sjp.ac.lk\/gmb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/science.sjp.ac.lk\/gmb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/science.sjp.ac.lk\/gmb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/science.sjp.ac.lk\/gmb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/science.sjp.ac.lk\/gmb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16"}],"version-history":[{"count":45,"href":"https:\/\/science.sjp.ac.lk\/gmb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4582,"href":"https:\/\/science.sjp.ac.lk\/gmb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16\/revisions\/4582"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/science.sjp.ac.lk\/gmb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}