RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS   Prof. H.A.K.M. Gunasekera MBBS, M.Phil Professor in Microbiology Department of Microbiology Telephone - Office : +94 11 2758641     Mobile : +94 71 8329772 E-mail : kamani.lk@gmail.com   EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS Degree/Qualification Institute Date MBBS (Colombo) 2nd MBBS examination - Pass 3rd MBBS examination - Second class (lower division) Distinction in Microbiology Final MBBS examination - Second class (lower division) Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo 1986 - 1994 M.Phil. in Microbiology University of Colombo January 2005     RESEARCH INTERESTS Virology, Flaviviruses, STD, development of affordable diagnostic assays     SCIENTIFIC TRAINING Training Institution Year Training in cell culture methods and ELISA techniques Department of Veterinary Pathology, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh February - May 1997 Training in PCR for Hepatitis-G Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Edinburgh February - May 1997 Training in diagnostic & research methods for Rabies (cell culture, PCR, RFFIT, IF typing) Central Veterinary Laboratory, Surrey, United Kingdom February - May 1997 Observer of viral diagnostic methods Public Health Laboratory Services, Collindale, United Kingdom February - May 1997 Workshop on the use of laboratory culture, serological and molecular methods in the diagnosis of meningo-encephalitis Faculty of Medicine, Peradeniya 2000 Postgraduate course on Tuberculosis Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists 2000 Update on Laboratory Diagnosis of Fungal infections University of Sri Jayewardenepura 2009 Application training on Real Time PCR University of Sri Jayewardenepura 2018     POSTS HELD Post Institution Date Senior Lecturer Grade I Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka 2nd Oct 2011 - date Senior Lecturer Grade I (Sabbatical Appointment) Department of Para Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Ratmalana, Sri Lanka 1st Jun 2015 - 31st May 2016 Visiting Lecturer Department of Para Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Ratmalana, Sri Lanka 1st January 2019 - date Visiting Lecturer Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University, of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka   Acting Head Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka 18th - 30th Jan 2008 Acting Head Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka 6th - 14th May 2008 Senior Lecturer Grade II Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka 2nd Oct 2006 - 2nd Oct 2011 Probationary Lecturer Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka Jul 1996 - Jun 2004 Assistant Lecturer Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka of Medicine, University of Kelaniy Nov 1995 - Jul 1996     AWARDS University of Sri Jayewardenepura research award for scientific publication in an indexed journal (SCOPUS) 2019 University of Sri Jayewardenepura research award for scientific publication 2017 University of Sri Jayewardenepura research award for scientific publication in an indexed journal (SCI/SSC/AHCI) 2015 University of Sri Jayewardenepura research award for publication in an indexed journal (SCI/SSC/AHCI) 2014 Third prize for oral presentation, Silver Jubilee Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists, August, 2005. Gunasekera HAKM, Senanayake CP, Sunil Chandra NP, Mendis L. A comparison of serological diagnostic techniques in Dengue fever. The Bulletin of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists 2005; 3(1): 22-23 2005     RESEARCH GRANTS Funding Body Topic Amount Year Centre for plant materials & herbal products research, University of Sri Jayewardenepura 001/2018 On going Anti-dengue viral activity in a few selected plants used in Sri Lankan traditional medicine LKR. 100,000.00 2018 - 2019 University Research grants FMS/USJP ASP/01/RE/MED/2017/67 On-going Staphylococcus aureus contamination of mobile phones and nasal carriage of nurses in a tertiary care hospital of Sri Lanka LKR. 186,391.00 2017 - 2018 University Research grants FMS/USJP ASP/01/RE/MED/2017/66 On-going Knowledge and attitudes among parents regarding Human Papilloma virus, cervical cancer and HPV vaccine in some selected districts of Sri Lankan LKR. 890,719.00 2017 - 2018 University Research grants FMS/USJP ASP/01/RE/MED/2016/74 On-going Establishing a novel method for detecting genetic material: Loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays for dengue virus and Chlamydia trachomatis LKR. 2,005,500.00 2016 - 2018 University Research grants FMS/USJP ASP/01/RE/MED/2015/42  On-going Antiviral activity of Psidium guajava (guava) leaf extract against dengue virus LKR. 1,550,246.00 2015 - 2018 University Research grants FMS/USJP ASP/06/RE/MED/2012/29 Completed MRSA contamination of phlebotomy tourniquets, faucets and infection control practices at a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka LKR. 299,163.00 2013 - 2015     PARTICIPATION IN UNIVERSITY ACTIVITIES Committees Year Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura Treasurer Faculty of Medical Teachers Association (FMTA) 2019 - 2020 Coordinator PPD committee 2017 to date Member Social sub-committee of PPD committee 2014 to date Member PPD committee 2014 to date Member Peer evaluation group 2011 to date Member Ethics Review Committee 2010 - 2011 Chairperson Technical evaluation committee for procurement of water coolers and furniture for the student canteen 2009 - 2010 Chairperson Technical evaluation committee for procurement of furniture for the student room of anatomy canteen 2009 - 2010 Member Technical evaluation Committee for Procurement of balance work for the third floor of the Resource Centre 2009 - 2010 Chairperson Technical evaluation Committee for refurbishment of Student Welfare facilities Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura 2008 - 2010 Chairperson Refurbishment of student welfare facilities 2008 - 2010 Chairperson Subcommittee for Stalls management of the Vedesa Exhibition Committee 2008 - 2009 Member Vedesa Exhibition Committee 2007 - 2009 Joint Secretary IRQUE (Improving the Relevance and Quality Undergraduate Education) Research Project Implementation Committee, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura 2007 - 2010 Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya Secretary Research, Higher Degrees & Ethics Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Ragama 1996 - 1997   Curricular Activities Years Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura Visiting Lecturer Registered Medical Practitioners 2014 Member CNS module, implementation committee 2009 - 2016 Member Reproductive module implementation committee 2009 - 2016 Member Renal module implementation committee 2008 - 2016 Departmental Coordinator Human Biology (Part 2) 2009 - 2011 Departmental Coordinator Human Biology (Part 3) May - July 2009 Departmental Coordinator MBBS Microbiology 2007 - 2008 Departmental Coordinator BSc. MLS course -Virology 2006 - 2010 Departmental Coordinator BSc. Pharmacy course 2006 - 2008 Moral tutor for medical undergraduates University of Sri Jayewardenepura Medical undergraduates 2006 to date Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya Member Curriculum Revision Committee Faculty of Medicine, Ragama 2000 - 2001     RESOURCE PERSON Activity Years Workshop for introducing the "Personal and Professional Development Stream" to the Faculty of Medicine, Jaffna 2018     TEACHING EXPERIENCE Postgraduate Supervision:   Student Project   Principal Supervisor PhD Ms. Kalani Jayasekera Anti-dengue viral activity in a selected number of plants used in Sri Lankan traditional medicine On going Principal Supervisor M.Phil Ms. Hemali Attanayake Establishing a novel method for detecting genetic material: Loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for Chlamydia trachomatis On going   Undergraduate Teaching and Supervision: Activity Institution Years Conducting lectures, small group discussions, practical classes and examinations in Bacteriology, Virology, Mycology and Immunology for third year medical students Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka 2006 to date Conducting lectures, tutorials and practical classes for BSc. Pharmacy, BSc. Nursing, BSc. Medical Laboratory Sciences and BSc. Human Biology students Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka 2006 to date Facilitator PPD student seminars Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka 2017 Examiner PPD stream viva Faculty of Medicine, Sir John Kotelawala Defence University 2016, 2018 Conducting lectures, small group discussions, practical classes and examinations in for third year medical students Faculty of Medicine, Sir John Kotelawala Defence University 2015 - 2016 Examiner for third year medical students Faculty of Medicine, Sir John Kotelawala Defence University 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 Supervisor BSc. MLS research project 2014, 2017 External supervisor Community medicine research project of MBBS undergraduates (14th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd batches) 2007, 2013, 2014, 2015 Supervisor Portfolio assessment 2013 - 2015 2016 to date Supervisor PPDS Family Assignment (18th, 20th batches) 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 Co-supervisor PPDS Family Assignment (19th batch) 2012 Supervisor Presentation skills - BSc. MLS students 2009 Supervisor Literature survey - BSc. MLS students 2009 Conducting lectures, small group discussions, practical classes and examinations in Bacteriology, Virology, Mycology and Immunology for third year medical students Faculty of Medicine, Ragama, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka 1995 - 2004     EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Dance instructor for medical undergraduates, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka 2014 - 2016 Judge, “Talents” dance competition auditions 2018     RESEARCH Thesis: Hospital based study of Japanese encephalitis and dengue fever and a comparison of diagnostic techniques (M.Phil thesis, 2005) University of Colombo.   Publications in Peer Reviewed Journals Abeywickrama T Amarasinghe K, Wijerathne S, Dharmaratne C, Fernando D, Senaratna BC, Gunasekera  KM. Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus contamination of phlebotomy tourniquets and faucets. Ceylon Medical Journal 2018;63:5-10 (Indexed in Scopus) Muthunuwan JT, Ganhewa AGKH, Perera HDSG, Hishaam M, Bandara WMMS, Gunasekera HAKM. Preliminary survey on knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding rabies. Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases 2017;7(1):38-46 (Peer reviewed  journal) Gunasekera HAKM, Silva KCDP, Prathapan S, Mananwaththa S, Weerasinghe G, and Abeygunasekera N. Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in women attending sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics in the Colombo District, Sri Lanka. Indian Journal of Pathology and Microbiology 2014;57(1):55-60. (SCI Expanded Journal) Gunasekera HAKM, Senanayake CP, Mendis L, Chandra S. Japanese encephalitis virus infection in an endemic area: hospital based study 1998 to 2000. Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases 2012;2(1):19-27 (Peer reviewed refereed journal) Gunasekera HAKM, Senanayake CP, Mendis L. Dengue Rapid Strip test: a Sri Lankan experience. Indian Journal of Pathology and Microbiology Oct–Dec 2011;54(4):861. (SCI Expanded Journal) Gunasekera HAKM, Sunil Chandra NP, de Silva HJ. Low community seroprevalence of Hepatitis C virus infection in the Gampaha district. Ceylon Medical Journal Dec 2002; 47(4): 122. (Scopus Indexed)   Abstracts and Presentations at Scientific Meetings Jayasekara KG, Soysa P, Suresh TS, Goonasekara CL, Gunasekera KM. Preliminary results of anti-dengue viral activity of five plants used in Sri Lankan traditional medicine. Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, Proceedings of the 75th Annual Sessions  2019; pg. 146. Poster presentation Karunarathna WIM, Wedage NN, Wickrama WDSA, Erathna SS,Senaratna BCV, Gunasekera KM. Determination of the association between methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization of nose and contamination of mobile phones in nurses. 6th International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches, University of Sri Jayewardenepura 2019; pg 37. Oral presentation Amarasinghe WKP, Wijerathne HMSA, Abeywickrama TT, Senaratna BCV, Gunasekera KM. Standard precautions during phlebotomy: do healthcare workers pay heed? Second International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches, University of Sri Jayewardenepura 2015; pg 34. Oral presentation Abeywickrama TT, Amarasinghe WKP, Wijerathne HMSA, Dharmaratne C, Fernando D, Gunasekera KM, Senaratna BCV. Tourniquets and faucets: Reservoirs of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Sri Lanka Medical Association 128th Anniversary International Medical Congress, 2015: pg 191, PP061. Poster presentation Gunasekera HAKM, Silva KCDP, Prathapan S, Mananwaththa S, Weerasinghe G, and Abeygunasekera N. Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in women attending sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics in the Colombo District, Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the 17th Annual Scientific Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Venereologists on 13th October, 2012. Oral presentation Fernando N, Peelawattage M, Gunasekera K, Weerasekera D, Holton J. Helicobacter pylori oxygenic hormones and diet.  XXIst International Workshop on Helicobacter and related bacteria in chronic digestive inflammation and gastric cancer, Helicobacter 2008; Vol 13(5): 436. PO62. Poster presentation http://www.abstractsonline.com/viewer/viewAbstract.asp?CKey={ADCE351F-6909-4EBC-B1D9-C7D1617D93F5}&MKey={F4FF4A8D-11B3-40F2-9DA2-7C0FB4F96EB0}&AKey={384D2523-AA39-4B08-A120-38A9AB93ADA3}&SKey={E251DBDE-4D0C-4D5E-A853-F54C16AB711F} Gunasekera HAKM, Senanayake CP, Sunil Chandra NP, Mendis L. A comparison of serological diagnostic techniques in Dengue fever. The Bulletin of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists 2005; 3(1): 22-23 Silver Jubilee Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists.5th August, 2005. Oral presentation - Awarded third prize Gunasekera HAKM, Sunil Chandra NP and de Silva HJ. Hepatitis C seroprevalence: a community survey in the Gampaha district. Proceedings of the 115th Anniversary Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka Medical Association on 22nd March, 2002 page 48. Oral presentation     BOOKS Clinical Microbiology for Paramedical Undergraduates - 1st Edition 2007 - Neluka Fernando, R. Rajapakse-Mallikahewa, Kamani Gunasekera ISBN-978-955-567-223-5     REVIEWER OF JOURNALS / PROJECT PROPOSALS Reviewer for 'Infectio' Journal (open access, peer reviewed journal of the Columbian Association of Infectious Diseases indexed under Scielo, Flying Publisher, Publimdex, Imbiomed, DOAJ, Lilacs) 2019 Reviewer for the Scientific Sessions, University of Sri Jayewardenepura 2018 Reviewer for the Scientific Sessions, University of Sri Jayewardenepura 2017 Reviewer of project proposals for Ethics Review Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Kotelawala Defence University 2015 - 2016 Reviewer of project proposals for Ethics Review Committee, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura 2010 - 2011     PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS Member of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS) - 2018 to date Member of the Sri Lankan Society of Microbiologists - 2010 to date Member of the College of Microbiologists, Sri Lanka - 2009 to date