Weranga Rajapaksha B.Pharm, M.Phil, PhD (reading)
PhD Candidate
Address:
Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, SA 5000, Australia
Date of Birth:
December 23rd, 1992
Nationality:
Sri Lankan
Religion:
Buddhist
Phone:
+61 452 122623
Email:
Hello! I'm Weranga Rajapaksha, currently pursuing my PhD in Pharmaceutical Science at Clinical and Health Science, University of South Australia, Australia. My research is conducting under the guidance of Dr. Hugo Albrecht, and I am dedicated to developing and advancing the field of targeted drug delivery systems for ovarian and prostate cancer.
My journey in academia began in Kandy, Sri Lanka, where I received my primary and secondary education at Dharmaraja College. In 2011, I completed my Advanced Level examination in the biology stream. Subsequently, I embarked on a Bachelor of Pharmacy Honours degree program at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University in Sri Lanka, specializing in pharmaceutical sciences. I proudly graduated in December 2017 with a second-class upper division.
My passion for research led me to pursue an MPhil degree in Nano and Advanced Technology, specializing in nanomedicine at SLINTEC, where I had the privilege of being mentored by Prof. Veranja Karunaratne and Prof. Nedra Karunaratne. Following the completion of my MPhil in 2022, I gained valuable experience as a research scientist in the Synthetic and Medicinal Organic Laboratory at SLINTEC.
Continuing my academic journey, I transitioned into the role of a lecturer in pharmaceutical sciences at the Faculty of Health Sciences, CINEC Campus, Malabe, Sri Lanka. Next, I was honored to serve as a lecturer in Pharmacy at the Department of Pharmacy within the Faculty of Health Sciences at The Open University of Sri Lanka.
Through my academic and research experiences, I am committed to contributing to the advancement of pharmaceutical science and the development of innovative solutions for critical healthcare challenges, such as ovarian cancer treatment. Thank you for joining me on this journey of exploration and discovery.
EXPERIENCE
Sep.2022-Present
Lecturer in Pharmacy
THE OPEN UNIVERSITY OF SRI LANKA - NAWALA
I'm working as a Lecturer in Pharmacy at the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Science, Open University of Sri Lanka. My teaching area is Physical Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology and Drug discovery and development.
I'm appointed as the Faculty Representative of the Center for Environment and Sustainability Development (CESSED), the University Green Committee and Department representative of the Registration committee, Learner support unit (LSU, Faculty Curriculum Development Committee (FCDC).
Feb.2020-Aug. 2022
Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Science
CINEC CAMPUS - MALABE
I'm working as a Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Faculty of Health Science, Cinec campus, Malabe. My teaching area is Pharmaceutics, Organic Chemistry, Physical Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Pharmacology, Medicinal Chemistry and Novel drug delivery systems, Biopharmaceutics, Industrial Pharmaceutics, and Pharmaceutical Engineering.
I was the Co-chairperson of the CINEC Student Research Symposium 2021.
Oct.2017-Mar.2020
Research Scientist
SRI LANKA INSTITUTE OF NANOTECHNOLOGY (SLINTEC)
I worked as a Research Scientist at Synthetic and Medicinal Organic Laboratory, SLINTEC. It is the one and only GLP certified laboratory in Sri Lanka. I experienced in Chemical synthesis of Active Pharmaceutical ingredients and chemical reactions.
Aug.2017-Sep.2017
Internship
TEACHING HOSPITAL-KANDY
I worked as a Hospital Pharmacist at Teaching Hospital, Kandy. I have experienced in medicine procurement, storage, medicine dispensing, patient counselling and reconciliation, extemporaneous preparations and cytotoxic reconstitution.
SKILLS
Microsoft Word - Advanced
Microsoft Excel - Advanced
Power Point - Advanced
IBM SPSS - Proficient
GraphPad Prism - Proficient
R studio - Proficient
Adobe Photoshop - Advanced
Sinhala- Mother Tongue
English - Proficient
Pharmaceuticals - Advanced
Laboratory Skills - Proficient
Molecular docking - Proficient
EDUCATION
2023-Present
Doctor of philosophy
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
I'm Currently reading an PhD degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences specialised in Nano medicine and Drug delivery and Applied chemistry
2017-2022
Master of philosophy
SLINTEC ACADEMY
SLINTEC Academy is the academic arm of SLINTEC. SLINTEC Academy is a UGC approved institute with highly qualified academic staff and provides MPhil and PhD degrees. I'm Currently reading an M.Phil degree in Nano and Advanced technologies specialized in Nanomedicine and synthetic organic chemistry.
2013-2017
Bachelor's Degree
GENERAL SIR JOHN KOTELAWALA DEFENCE UNIVERSITY (KDU)
I am a graduate of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (Sri Lanka). I studied Pharmaceuticals sciences to obtain my Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm) honors degree and completed with Second class upper division (GPA - 3.44).
2012-2013
Diploma
ESOFT METRO CAMPUS
I have followed a Diploma in English at ESOFT Metro Campus, Kandy and completed successfully. I studied English Language and Literature.
1998-2011
School Education
DHARMARAJA COLLEGE - KANDY
Dharmaraja College, Kandy is the best ever Buddhist school in Sri Lanka that was provided me a great education and valuable opportunities. It taught me the values of being a good citizen, strength and a team player from this amazing institute. It provided me with the foundation to build the man I am today; strong, independent. I was exposed to many serendipitous opportunities and was able to interact and work with peers from other leading schools, thus giving me the chance to experience and build a strong relationship. It taught me how I stand, my power, as my college motto is "ATHTHAHI ATHTHNO NATHO".
EXPERTISE
PHARMACEUTICS
I have a skill on reading the prescription, drug dispensing, inventory controlling and pharmaceutical estimation, chemotherapy reconstitution, quality assurance and quality control of pharmaceutical products, pharmaceutical manufacturing, Formulation development, Pharmaceutical regulatory, pharmaceutical analysis, animal handling, and pharmaceutical procurement.
COMMUNICATION
I have excellent communication skills, and I enjoy presenting in public. I have a good level of written communication skills including the ability to write clear, concise reports.
COMPUTER SKILLS
I have a high level of computer literacy. I am experienced with standard applications such as Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Adobe Photoshop. I have also used the IBM SPSS & ORIGIN statistical package and GraphPad Prism statistical software.
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES
I have experienced with advanced technologies including Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Inductive Coupled Plasmon Mass Spectroscopy (ICPMS), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Liquid Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV-Vis spectrophotometer, Fluorometer, Raman spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD), Particle size analyzer (DLS) and Peptide synthesis.
LABORATORY TECHNIQUES
I am experienced in synthetic medicine & organic chemistry and microbiological laboratory practise/techniques including microscopy, aseptic techniques and antibiotic sensitivity testing. Currently I'm working cell cytotoxicity assays, flocytometry and RT-qPCR for molecular receptor identification.
TEACHING
I have been conducting lectures, Practical, tutorials and conduction of main examinations in General Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology, Physical Pharmacy, Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Medicinal Chemistry, Advanced Analytical Techniques, Practice of Pharmacy, Industrial Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Engineering, Novel Drug Development, Pharmaceutical Quality Control and Quality Assurance, Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine.
I have developed Laboratory Practical Manuals for Organic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Industrial Pharmaceutics modules and Advanced Medicinal Chemistry
I was involved in the curriculum development of the Higher National Diploma in Pharmacy and Cosmetic Science at Cinec Campus – 2020 (TVEC Approval).
AWARDS AND MEMBERSHIPS
AWARDS
P.B.Illangasinghe memorial award for music at “Kala Ulela” 2012 of Dharmaraja College.
Best Poster presentation award for the research poster at 11th International Research Conference, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University.
Vice- Chancellor's Award for outstanding leadership at the General Convocation of the Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology, 2022
Full-time PhD research scholarship from University of South Australia, 2023
MEMBERSHIPS
Member of Royal Australian Chemistry Institute (MRACI)
Member of Sri Lanka Association of Young Scientists
Committee member of Ethical Review Committee of Cinec Campus, Malabe
SPECIAL SERVICES
SPECIAL SERVICES
Co-chairperson of the CINEC Student Research Symposium 2021.
Session Co-chair of the Health science session – Track 02 Pharmaceutical and Natural Product at the Cinec Student Research Symposium virtually held on 27th November 2020.
Key organizing committee member of CINEC student research symposium - 2020
Editorial board member of the proceedings of CINEC student research symposium – 2020
Organization of Whitecoat ceremony of Faculty of Health Sciences – 2021
NATIONAL SERVICES
Knowledge dissemination at ‘Shilpa Sena’ trade exposition 2019 organized by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Research – Technology zone (under Nanotechnology). This exposition was designed to add science and technology to the Sri Lankan mindset and push for a sustained economic impact.
I joined the organizing committee as a research assistant of the Symposium on Popularization of STEM Education – 2017, organized by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Research.
Member of the organizing committee of Asian Symposium on Medicinal Plants, Species and other Natural Products XVI in 2018.
PROJECTS AND PUBLICATIONS
Research Projects
Evaluation of in-vitro antibacterial activity of extracts of roots of Ipomoea aquatica, Lasia spinosa, Pistia stratiotes and leaves of Monochoria vaginalis growing in the wastewater of Sri Lanka. (Completed)
Ferrous and folic acid delivery system using biopolymeric nanoparticles. (Completed)
In vivo anti-inflammatory activity of betamethasone analogues using acute paw oedema induced 36 Swiss albino rats. (Completed)
In vitro evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity and formulation development of Alpinia Calcarata Roscoe rhizome extract incorporated novel cream. (on going)
In vitro evaluation of antioxidant activity and formulation development of Clitoria ternatea flower extract incorporated body lotion. (on going)
Evaluation of in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of Dillenia retusa Thunb plant extracts. (on going)
Dual targeting of ovarian and prostate cancer cells with nanomedicine (on going)
Research Publications
Journal Articles
Dhanushi T Welideniya, Ph.D; Adeesha Saseenda Jayathilaka, BS; Anjana Delpe Acharige, BS; Upamalika Samanthi, MS; Umayangani Wanninayake, Ph.D; Shashika Sevvandi Perera, BS; Weranga Rajapaksha, BS; Chamod C Fernando, BS; Madhavi Hewadikaram, BS; Janani Buddhika, BS; Pivini Gunasekara, BS; Veranja Karunaratne, Ph.D; G. A. J. Amaratunga, PhD, “Practical and Scalable Synthesis of Beclomethasone Dipropionate”, Steroids, 2021; 108948, ISSN 0039-128X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.steroids.2021.108948
Senadeera, S. P. N. N., Fernando, K. S. K., Wickramasekara, W. L. L. N., Fernando, M. Y. S., Ranaweera, C. B., Weranga Rajapaksha, & Silva, A. R. N., “Antibacterial Activity of Endemic Artocarpus nobilis Thw Found in Sri Lanka”. South Asian Journal of Research in Microbiology, 2021; 11(3), 35-4., https://doi.org/10.9734/sajrm/2021/v11i330254
Senadeera, S. P. N. N., Fernando, K. S. K., Wickramasekara, W. L. L. N., Fernando, M. Y. S., Ranaweera, C. B., Weranga Rajapaksha, & Silva, A. R. N., “In vitro Anti-inflammatory Activity of Endemic Artocarpus nobilis Thw Found in Sri Lanka”. Asian Plant Research Journal, 2021; 08 (04): 116-122, https://doi.org/10.9734/aprj/2021/v8i430192
Abeykoon AMAU, De Silva GMCP, Karunathilake KTSS, Rajapaksha RGWDB, Silva ARN, Bandara AWMKK, Pathirana RN, “Evaluation of in vitro Anti-inflammatory and Antibacterial Activities of Leaves, Roots and Combination of Leaves and Roots Extracts of Plant Magnolia figo”. Sri Lanka Journal of Indigenous Medicine (SLJIM), 2021; 06 (02): 483-494, ISSN 2013-9238
RGWDB Rajapaksha, BAR Fernando, TMAB Thennakoon, ARN Silva, “Phytochemical Analysis of Extracts of Ipomoea aquatica, Lasia spinosa, Pistia stratiotes and Monochoria vaginalis Growing in Polluted Water in Sri Lanka”. South Asian Research Journal of Natural Products, 2021;4(2), 11-17.
RGWDB Rajapaksha, ARN Silva, BAR Fernando, TMAB Thennakoon, WD Ratnasooriya,“Evaluation of in vitro antibacterial activity of extract of semi-aquatic plants growing in the polluted water of Sri Lanka”. International Journal of Pharmacognosy and Life Science. 2020; 1(1): 42-50.
N.T. Thotawatte, H. H. V. K. N. De Silva, RGWDB Rajapaksha, “Prescription Analysis of short dosage forms of metformin as monotherapy or combined therapy in type II diabetes mellitus; pilot study”CINEC Academic Journal, 2020 4, 59-61
Poster presentations
WM Pabasara, GLGS Liyanage, DMRB Thanayamwatta, RGWDB Rajapaksha, RN Pathirana, MA Siriwardhene and ARN Silva, “Evaluation of In vitro Anti-inflammatory Activity of Ethanol and Aqueous Extracts of the Whole Plant of Cardiospermum Halicacabum” General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University 14thInternational Research Conference, 2021.
N.T. Thotawatte, H. H. V. K. N. De Silva, RGWDB Rajapaksha, “Prescription Analysis of short dosage forms of metformin as monotherapy or combined therapy in type II diabetes mellitus; pilot study” CINEC Student Research Symposium, 2020.
T.D.B.Kangara, S.D.Senanayake, K.A.Siriwardhana, N.W.A.N.Maanisha, G.A.J.Rathnasekara, H.H.V.K.N.De Silva, R.G.W.D.B.Rajapaksha, “Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Dispensing of OTC Medicine Usage in Community Pharmacy Outlets, Sri Lankan Perspectives; A Pilot Study”, CINEC Student Research Symposium, 2020.
I. H. V. Nicholas, Weranga Rajapakse, G. A. J. Amaratunga, D. N. Karunaratne, V. Karunaratne, “A nano-delivery system for combination therapy of iron and folic acid” Asian Symposium on Medicinal Plants, Spices and Other Natural Products XVI, 2018.
RARS Ranasinghe, KAU Jayawardena, RGWDB Rajapaksha, ARN Silva, V Nawarathne, “Evaluation of in vitro antibacterial effect of Lawsonia inermis L. plant against Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa” General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University 11th International Research Conference, 2018.
RGWDB Rajapaksha, ARN Silva, BAR Fernando, TMAB Thennakoon, WD Ratnasooriya,“ In vitro antibacterial activity of some aquatic plants growing in polluted water of Sri Lanka”. General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University 10thInternational Research Conference, 2017.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
2013 - Present
Photography and graphic designing
I joined with the organizing committee as a research assistant of Symposium on Popularization of STEM Education – 2017, organized by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Research.
2017
2016
I have designed all the graphic designing artworks for International Research Conference 2016 of KDU, requested by Vice-chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and Conference chair.
Won the first place for the music in “Kala Ulela” of Dharmaraja College (2003 to 2011).
2003-2011