Dr. K. V. K. Gunathilake

Dr. Varuni Gunathilake B.Sc. (USJP), Ph.D. (Colombo) Senior Lecturer  varunig@sjp.ac.lk  Research Interests: Marine Biotechnology, Immunology, Sponge identification and taxonomy

Qualifications:

• • B. Sc. (Special) degree in Zoology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka
  • Ph.D., University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

Special Achievements/Awards:

• Best oral presentation of the biannual sessions of 42^nd proceedings of Allergy and Immunology society of Sri Lanka, 2016

Scholarships / Fellowships:

• HETC scholarship for university academics to read PhD
• OSTP travel grant of National Science Foundation for overseas training in University of Genova, Italy on sponge taxonomy

Research projects:

• Post graduate: Molecular characterization, isolation and chemical characterization of Haliclona (Soestella) sp, a novel Sri Lankan marine sponge species.
• Undergraduate: In vitro anti-inflammatory activity of a few selected Sri Lankan marine sponge species

Research publications:

Postgraduate supervision:

• 2017
  • Student: Ms Shakila Rathnayake
  • Research project: Molecular characterization, isolation and chemical characterization of Haliclona (Soestella) sp , a novel Sri Lankan marine sponge species.
  • Degree registered for: M.Phil. (Applied)

Membership in Professional Societies:

Assistant treasurer of Sri Lanka Association for Laboratory Animal Science (SLALAS)

(Last updated on 11th October, 2017)