Prof. Indika Senevirathna

Professor in Biochemistry

Department of Biochemistry

Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences

Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

PhD

Master of Philosophy (M.Phil):2008-2010 non-graded research degree

Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda.

      Thesis title

     “Assessment of Nutritive value and Related Biochemical Parameters of Selected Breakfast Foods”

MSc In Molecular Medicine (2012-2015)

Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo

B.Sc. Human Biology (Biochemistry Specialization ) – Second class Upper Division 2002-2005

      Institute – Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura

      Distinction in Biochemistry (Part 1 and Part III)

• Jewels in the Crown” in Recognition of the outstanding achievement an alumnus of Faculty of Medical Sciences University of Sri Jayewardenepura

• PGIM Gold Medal for the Best Masters/ Pg. Diploma Trainee of the year 2016,Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo, which was held in 24^th November 2017

• Presidential award for scientific publication: Merit award:2014

• Dean’s award for scientific publication: 2016 and 2018, 2019,2020

• Early career Research Travel award 2019

Antioxidant capacities of Plant foods

Invitro starch hydrolysis and whole-genome

Whole genome sequencing of Sri Lankan leptospira isolates

Glycaemic indices of Sri Lankan foods

Rajarata University Research Grants

Thesis

Senavirathna, RMISK, Assessment of Nutritive value and Related Biochemical Parameters of Selected Breakfast Foods, 7^th April 2010 (M. Phil.Thesis)

Senavirathna, RMISK, Description of the histological changes associated with silencing of SdNP gene expression by RNA interference among adult Setariadigitata nematodes (MSc.Thesis)

Full papers in peer reviewed international journals

Warnasekara J, Srimantha S, Senavirathna I, Kappagoda C, Farika N, Nawinna A, et al.

The variable presence of Leptospira in the environment; an epidemiological explanation based on serial analysis of water samples. Wooten RM, editor. PLoS One [Internet]. 2022 Feb 15;17(2):e0263719. Available from: https://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0263719

Jayasundara D, Gamage C, Senavirathna I, Warnasekara J, Matthias MA, Vinetz JM, et al. Optimizing the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) panel for the diagnosis of Leptospirosis in a low resource, hyper-endemic setting with varied microgeographic variation in reactivity. Neela V kumari, editor. PLoS Negl Trop Dis [Internet]. 2021 Jul 1;15(7):e0009565. Available from: https://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009565

Senadheera SPAS., Senevirathna RMISK, Ekanayake S. Liver Toxicity of Raw and Processed Cycas circinalis (Madu) Seed Flour: An Animal Study. International Journal of multidisciplinary Studies 8 No. 1 (2021) 1-10

Rathish D, Gamage UGSA, Kumari DWMMM, Senavirathna RMISK. In vitro Starch

Hydrolysis Indices of selected Sri Lankan Starchy Tubers. J Agric Sci – Sri Lanka [Internet].2021 May 1;16(2):237. Available from:

Rathish D, Senavirathna I, Jayasumana C, Agampodi S, Siribaddana S. A low GLP response among patients treated for acute organophosphate and carbamate poisoning: a comparative cross-sectional study from an agrarian region of Sri Lanka. Environ Sci Pollut Res. 2019 Jan 29;26(3):2864–72. http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11356-018-3818-9

Rathish D, Senavirathna I, Jayasumana C, Agampodi S. Red blood cellacetylcholinesterase activity among healthy dwellers of an agrarian region in Sri Lanka: a descriptive cross-sectional study. Environ Health Prev Med [Internet]. 2018 Dec 21;23(1):25

Senevirathna, I., Jayasundara, D., Lefler, J. P., Chaiboonm, K. L., Warnasekara, J., Agampodi, S., Matthias, M. A., & Vinetz, J. M. (2020). Complete Genome Sequence of Leptospira interrogans Strains FMAS_KW1, FMAS_KW2 and FMAS_AW1 Isolated from Leptospirosis Patients from Karawanalla and Awissawella, Sri Lanka. Journal of genomics, 8, 49–52. https://doi.org/10.7150/jgen.43953 

Senavirathna, I., Rathish, D. & Agampodi, S. Cytokine response in human leptospirosis with different clinical outcomes: a systematic review. BMC Infect Dis 20, 268 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-020-04986-9 

Agampodi S, Warnasekara J, Jayasundara D, Indika Senavirathna, Chandika Gamage, Senanayake Kularatne, Sisira Siribaddana, Michael Maththias, Joseph VinetzStudy protocol: characterising the clinical, epidemiological and aetiological aspects of leptospirosis in Sri Lanka: a hospital based clinico-epidemiological study BMJ Open 2019;9:e027850. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027850 

Marikar FMMT, * TRNF, Thenuwara L ,Senavirathna RMISK.The biscuits and Rice cake an alternative to the oral glucose tolerance test. Int J Food Nutr Sci. 2017;6(3). 

Senavirathna, RMISK., Ekanayake, S and Jansz, E R (2016), Traditional and novel foods from indigenous flours: Nutritional quality, glycemic response, and potential use in food industry. Starch/Stärke.doi: 10.1002/star.201500175

ThalagahageKNH , Jayaweera  JAAS,    Kumbukgolla WW, Senaviratha RMISK (2015) Detection of alkaptonuria in 1 –week-old infant. British Medical Journal Case reportbcr-2014-208505.full.pdf · 07/2015

Senavirathna, RMISK, Ekanayake, S, Jansz, ER and Welihinda, J (2014). Nutritional quality of some traditional tuber varieties of Sri Lanka. Proximate composition, glycemic indices, and some factors affecting glycemic indices of underutilized tubersStarch -Strake: 66(11-12)1041–1048, 

Senavirathna, RMISK, Ekanayake, S, Jansz, ER and Welihinda, J (2013).Study of the phenolics and the antioxidant capacities of some breakfast foods. Malaysian Journal of Nutrition.  19(2):243-250 

Senavirathna,RMISK, Johansson, M, Patberiya, LG and Jansz, ER (2005). Studies on dietary fibre content of four uncommon palmyrahfruittypes. VidyodayaJournalofScience. 12: 93-97

Peer reviewed abstracts published in conference proceedings 

International

Senavirathna, RMISK,Senadheera, SPAS and Ekanayake, S (2009). Mamalian liver toxicity of Cycas circinalis raw and processed seed flour. International conference on Pure and Applied Chemistry. Mauritius July 2010.

Senavirathna RMISK, Rathish D, Agampodi SB. (2017) Thirteen globally conducted pre-clinicalstudies on DNA vaccines against leptospira: a systematic review. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 2017; 97(5) supp: 358-359.

Senavirathna RMISK, Rathish D. (2017) RNA interference based medicines in communicable andnon-communicable diseases: A systematic review of published clinical trials. 49 th Asia Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health, Seoul, South Korea. 2017; 395. http://apacph2017.com/index.php

Senavirathna RMISK, Rathish D, Agampodi SB. (2017) Cytokine response among patients with complicated leptospirosis: a systematic review. 10 th International Leptospirosis Society Meeting, Palmerston North, New Zealand, 2017; 126.

Senavirathna RMISK, Rathish D, Agampodi SB. (2017) A review on leading cytokines evaluated in human leptospirosis. 10 th International Leptospirosis Society Meeting, Palmerston North, New Zealand, 2017; 248

Rathish D, Senaviratna I, Jayasumana C, Agampodi S, Siribaddana S.  Association between acetylcholinesterase activity and total glucagon like peptide-1: findings from an agrarian region of Sri Lanka. 8^th International Congress of Asian Society of Toxicology, Pattaya, Thailand. 2018; 158. http://www.asiatox2018.org/media/download/Asiatox%202018%20programbook.pdf

Rathish D, Senaviratna I, Jayasumana C, Agampodi S. Baseline Values of Red Blood Cell Cholinesterase Activity Among Healthy Non-farmers of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. 8^th International Congress of Asian Society of Toxicology, Pattaya, Thailand. 2018; 96. http://www.asiatox2018.org/media/download/Asiatox%202018%20programbook.pdf

RMISK Senavirathna, Y Warnasekara, J Jayasundara, D Hettiarachchi, M Matthias, J Vinetz, S Agampodi(2018). Utility of q pcr assay as a clinically relevant diagnostic test. American journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene :99:607-608

HPP Perera, DWMMM Kumari, WAGE Wijelath, RMISK Senavirathna (2019).The effect of common pre-treatments and cooking techniques on the antioxidant capacity of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum), Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and Green Gram (Vigna radiata). 12th international research conference - general sir john kotelawala defence university - 220 basic and applied sciences p: 1

Janith Warnasekara, Dinesha Jayasundara, Indika Senavirathna, Sisira Siribaddana, Kularathna Sam, Joseph Vinetz, Suneth Agampodi(2019). Pitfalls of predicting leptospirosis by common clinical and biochemical markers. American journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene :99: 160-161

RMISK Senavirathna, Niroshan Dhanayaka, Warnasekara, J Hettiarachchi, M Matthias, J Vinetz, S Agampodi(2019). Cytokine signature as a predictor of leptospirosis clinical manifestation. 11 th International Leptospirosis Society Meeting, Vancouver Canada.p:12

Kappagoda CN, Senevirathne RMISK, Warnasekara YPJN, Srimantha LASM, De Silva  LAPNF, Agampodi SB(2021).Response of Human Toll – Like Receptor 2 during the Infection of Leptospirosis. IMED 2021 virtual conference, Brookline,USA

Senavirathna I, Jayasundara D, , Warnasekara J,Picadeaue M, Agampodi SB, Vinetz M( 2020). 12 novel clonal groups of leptospira isolated from Sri Lanka.52 nd Asia Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health, Colombo, Sri Lanaka,2020

Srimatha LASM, Jayasundara JMDD, Warnasekara J, De Silva LAPNF, Kappagoda CN, Senavirathna RMISK, Agampodi SB (2020). Novel approach of microscopic agglutination test for the diagnosis of leptospirosis; improving clinical utility and cost effectiveness.52 nd Asia Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health, Colombo, Sri Lanaka,2020

Warnasekara J  Srimatha LASM, Senavirathna RMISK, Nawinna A  De Silva LAPNF, Kappagoda CN, , Agampodi SB Does the presence of leptospira in surface water is merely random? an epidemiological explanation using a quantitative pcr analysis of water samples 52 nd Asia Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health, Colombo, Sri Lanaka,2020

Local

Senavirathna,RMISK, Ekanayake, S and Jansz, ER (2008). Traditional foods and their blood glucose responses. Proceeding of the 64^th Annual Sessions Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science. P 99.

Hettiarachchi,UPK, Senavirathna, RMISK andEkanayake, S (2008). Inter intra individual variations in determination of Glycaemic indices. Proceeding of the 64^th Annual Sessions Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science17.

Senavirathna, RMISK, Ekanayake, S, Jansz, ER and Welihinda, J (2009). Proximate compositions and blood glucose responses of traditional tuber varieties. Proceeding of the 65^th Annual Sessions Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science. P 10.

Senavirathna, RMISK, Ekanayake, S and Jansz, ER (2009). Total phenolics and antioxidant properties of some traditional breakfast foods of Sri Lanka. Proceeding of the 65^th Annual Sessions Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science. P 85.

Senadheera, SPAS, Senavirathna, RMISK  andEkanayake, S (2009). Protein quality of processed and unprocessed flour of Madu(Cycuscircinalis). Proceeding of the 65^th Annual Sessions Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science. P 86.

Senevirathna, RMISK, Ekanayake, S and Jansz, ER (2009). Nutritional quality and blood glucose responses of a food product from kithul (Caryotaurens). Proceedings of the 50th Anniversary Academic Conference .University of Sri Jayewardenepura. P 60.

Senavirathana RMISK,Ekanayake S and Jansz ER (2010). Nutritional quality and Glyceamic index of pittu prepared from hal flour ( Vateriacopallifera). Scientific seseeions of Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka. P 6.

Senavirathana RMISK,Ekanayake S and Jansz ER (2010). Processing induced physical and chemical changes in starch granular structure of tubers. Proceedings of Institute of Chemistry Ceylon

Senavirathna RMISK, Ekanayake S,and JanszER,(2011).Processing induced physical and chemical changes in starch granular structure of foodprepared from endogenous flour varieties. Scientific sessions of Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka. P 11.

TharakaHMD, RatnayakeRM,Senavirathna RMISK, . RanadheeraCS, JayawardanaNWIA (2014). Determination of nutrient levels and antioxidant content of thriposha and other similar market product.6th Annual Symposium, Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka;

Senavirathna RMISK, Rathish D, Agampodi SB. (2017) DNA vaccines against Leptospira: a systematic review on animal studies to find commonly used vector, gene, strain, expression system, animal model and outcomes. The Ceylon Med J. 2017; 62(1) supplement 216.

Weerakoon TKGNP, Jayawardana NWIA, Senadheera SPAS, Senevirathna RMISK. (2017) Effect of Repeated heating on Antioxidant Capacity and Polyphenolic content of Edible oils,Proceedings of 9 th Annual Research Symposium, Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, 2017, pp 25

UGSA Gamage, DWMMM Kumari, RMISK Senavirathna, D Rathish(2018). Determination of an Equation to Find Glycemic Indices of Sri Lankan Tubers Using Hydrolysis Indices.10 ^th Annual Research Symposium, Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, 2018

HPP Perera, DWMMM Kumari, WAGE Wijelath, RMISK Senavirathna (2019).Effect of Pre-Treatment and Cooking Techniques on Antioxidant Capacity and Total Phenolic Content of Commonly Consumed Legumes in Sri Lanka.11 ^th Annual Research Symposium, Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, 201 9.

Kappagoda CN, Senavirathne RMISK, Warnasekara YPJN, Srimantha LASM, De Silva  LAPNF, Agampodi SB(2021).Human Toll-like receptor-2 gene expression in leptospirosis. SLMA Congress 2021, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Kappagoda CN, Senavirathne RMISK, Warnasekara YPJN, Srimantha LASM, De Silva  LAPNF, Agampodi SB(2021).Improving the validity of gene expression studies using exon-exon  spanning primer. SLMA Congress 2021, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Kappagoda CN, Senavirathne RMISK, Warnasekara YPJN, Srimantha LASM, De Silva  LAPNF, Agampodi SB. Expression of human toll-like receptor-2 in leptospirosis and improving  the validity of gene expression analysis. SSM 2021,Sri Lanka.

Senior Lecturer in the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka: 2015.07.20 to date

Major duties of the current position are teaching medical students, research and involvements in university administrative activities. Studentteaching is carried out by means of lectures,small group discussions, practical sessions and seminars. Preparing teaching materials, students’ learning objectives and setting questions with assessing students' coursework, are the other main duties of my current position. Other function include undertaking personal research projects, writing up research and preparing it for publication, supervising students' research projects, completing continuous professional development and participating in staff training activities, carrying out administrative tasks related to the department, faculty and the university are some of my research and administrative responsibilities.

Lecturer in Biochemistry the Department of Biochemistry Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka: 2010.07.07 to 2015.7.20

Major duties of this position were teachingmedical students, conducting research and contributing for the university administration activities. Lecturers small group discussions tutorial classes ,practical classes and seminarwere the main involvement in the academic programm. Training was obtained in the fields of laboratory analysis, curriculum development,setting question, statistical analysis of data,medical writing, ethical aspect of research student counseling. Undertaking personal research projects, writing up research proposal,conducting research and preparing it for publication,presenting findings in local research symposium were the main research activities As a student counselor and president of student welfare society contributions were made to uplift the standard of student academic and welfare activities

Teaching Assistant Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka: 2005.08.03 to 2006.08.03

During this periodpractical classes were conducted and tutorial classes for Medical students, BSc. Human Biology (special) students, andBsc. (Nursing)students. Conducted lectures for BSc. (Nursing) students and during orientation programme for Medical students. Further, assisted in formatting tutorial and practical schedules for Medical students and BSc. (Nursing) students.

Research Assistant Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences in University of Sri Jayewardenepura from 04/08/2006 to 30.11.2006.

During this period assisted in research on  specially animal handling and preparation of a booklet which included the researchon palmyrah an underutilized plants

• Assessment of Disease burden of Leptospirosis in Sri Lanka

Visiting lecturer in (Clinical Biochemistry) at Institute of Chemistry Ceylon and Spectrum Institute from 2010 to date

Visiting Scholar (3 months)

Molecular techniques in Leptospirosis training in  University of California San Diego, School of Medicine

Reviewer

The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene

Starch

Emerging Microbes and Infection