Senior Lecturer in Microbiology (Grade II)

Department of Microbiology

Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences

Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

June 2016

Master of Philosophy (M.Phil - Microbiology) - University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

Thesis – “Epidemiology of enteric fever in Sri Lanka and the role of  bacteriological and PCR investigations in its diagnosis”)

April 2006

Master of Science Degree (M.Sc) - Microbiology - University of Bangalore, Bangalore, India 1st Class (76.5%)

April 2004

Bachelor of Science Degree  (B.Sc)Subjects: Microbiology, Chemistry, Zoology                                            University of Bangalore, Bangalore, India 1st Class (76.67%)

Awarded a scholarship for the MPhil/PhD programme , Under the Higher Education for the Twenty First Century (HETC) Project (2011) – Ministry of Higher Education

RESEARCH PAPERS

• Illapperuma, S.C., Corea, E.M. and Agampodi, S.B., 2019. Bacterial aetiology and antimicrobial resistance pattern in culture positive enteric fever in a private hospital in Sri Lanka. Journal of the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, 6(1), pp.E82 1–7. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/jpgim.8198

• Illapperuma, S., Corea, E. and Agampodi, S., 2019. Baseline titres of O, H and AH agglutinins to Salmonella Typhi and Paratyphi A in blood donors in Sri Lanka.. Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases, 9(1), pp.32–41. DOI:http://doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v9i1.8230

COMMUNICATIONS AT SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS PUBLISHED AS ABSTRACTS

International

• Illapperuma, C, S Agampodi, and E M Corea. "Baseline titres of Salmonella agglutinins in the healthy population in Sri Lanka." International Journal of Infectious Diseases 45(2016):152-153.

• Suchetha Illapperuma, Suneth Agampodi, Enoka Corea, Samitha Ginige. Enteric fever in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the 49th Asia Pasific Consortium for Public Health, South Korea, 2017, pg 181

• Shobha Gunathilaka, Dinesha Jayasundara, Charukeshi Illapperuma, Amanda Amarasinghe, Indunil Bandara, Tharaka Imarshani, Kasun Gunathilaka, lakmini Wijesooriya. Knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding rabies; in inhabitants of a rural community in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the 49th Asia Pasific Consortium for Public Health, South Korea, 2017, pg 716

National

• Abayasekara C.L, Herath. W.H.M.A.T, Adikaram. N.K.B, Chandrajith.R, Illapperuma S.C, Sirisena A.D, Rajaguru S.G, “ Microbiological quality of bottled water in Sri Lanka: a Preliminary study”. Extended abstract in proceedings of Peradeniya University Research Sessions, Sri Lanka, Vol 12, Part 1, (2007), Pp 49-50

• Dushantha Madegedara D, Saman Kapilawansa, Rumala Morel, Preethi Perera, Chandana Nishantha Kulathunga, Samadara Nakandala, Renuka Nandasena, Rohitha Waduge, MH Wijedasa, Athula Kumara, Shyama Wikramasinghe, Kalyani Pethiyagoda, Charukeshi Illapperuma, SB Abeykoon. Aspergillosis. In Patients Undergoing Bronchoscopy At Teaching Hospital, Kandy. KSM 2010

• SC Illapperuma, EM Corea, SB Agampodi. Prevalence of Salmonella Paratyphi A infections in the district of Colombo: a preliminary study. Proceedings of the 3rd Annual Research Symposium. Rajarata University of Sri Lanka 2013: 107

• SC Illapperuma, EM Corea, SB Agampodi. Enteric fever in Colombo, shifting from typhoid to paratyphoid A. Proceedings of the 3rd annual conference and scientific sessions of the Sri Lankan society for Microbiology (SSM) 2014; 2: 28

• Gunathilaka MGRSS, DissanayakeDMPB, JayasundaraJMDD, IllapperumaSC, AmarasinghaPMAT, BandaraHMIP, GunathilakaMRKM, TharakaDDI, WijesuriyaWPLI. Preliminary study on knowledge attitudes and practices on rabies in a rural community in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the Annual scientific sessions 2017 Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayawardenepura (Poster presentation No.PP13)

• SC Illapperuma, Dinojan S, Wijethunga WMGASTB, Jayaweera JAAS, Premathilake KMR. Antibacterial activity of leaf extract of Mikania cordata, a plant used in Sri Lankan folk medicine for wound infections. Proceedings of the 6th annual conference and scientific sessions of the Sri Lankan society for Microbiology (SSM) 2017; 5: 10

• Illapperuma SC, Madusankha HPN, Jayawardhana WMRL, Gunathilaka MGRSS, Dissanayake DMPB, Premathilake KMR. Isolation of potential mycotoxin producing fungi from roasted peanuts - A preliminary study. Proceedings of the Sri Lankan Society for Microbiology Seventh Annual Conference and Scientific Sessions;2018 October 26; Oak Ray Regency Hotel, Kandy, Sri lanka.

• Illapperuma SC, Madusankha HPN, Jayawardhana WMRL, Gunathilaka MGRSS, Dissanayake DMPB, Premathilake KMR. Isolation of potential mycotoxin producing fungi from roasted peanuts- a piliminary study, investing in biodiversity and ecosystem services. Proceedings of the 4th international research symposium rajarata University sri lanka, 2018 oct 17 & 18

• Dissanayake DMPB, Duminda DMS, Gunathilaka MGRSS, Madusankha HPN, Jayasundara JMDD Jayawardhana WMRL, Priyadarshana AHAK, Premathilake KMR, Illapperuma SC. Reverse osmosis- is it the answer to the burning water problem in anuradapura? (a preliminary study), , investing in biodiversity and ecosystem services. Proceedings of the 4th international research symposium rajarata University srilanka, 2018 oct 17 & 18

• Liyanage H.L.T.N.K., Liyanage G.E.,Liyanage G.K.S.,Kumari G.U.W.U.K., Kumarasinghe N.N.,Kumari M.M.W., Illapperuma S.C. Danger in the kitchen! - Aspergillus niger in onions. investing in biodiversity and ecosystem services.  Proceedings of the 4th international research symposium rajarata University srilanka, 2018 oct

• Gunathilake S, Premawardana N, Dumingoarachchi D, Illapperuma C, Rupasingha R, Caldera M, Weerasinhe M, Senanayaka T, Jayasundara D. A retrospective study on Rhinocerebral Mucormycosis at Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura.12th Annual Scientific Sessions of Anuradhapura clinical society, 2018

• Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka.
• Head of Department - (April 2017 – December 2019)
• Senior Lecturer (Grade-II) in Microbiology- (July 2016 – Present)
• Lecturer (Probationary)- (July 2008 – July 2016) 

• • One of the two pioneering permanent academic staff members of Department of Microbiology and pioneered in developing and establishing the new department (Attached to the Department of Microbiology since its inception in 2008)
  • Undergraduate teaching (which include lectures, practicals and tutorial /small group discussions for the 3rd year Medical Students)
  • Supervision of examinations and evaluation
  • Research activities in Microbiology
  • Training and supervision of junior academic and non academic staff / Students
  • Conducting community service projects
•  Visiting lecturer in Applied Microbiology & examiner - (March 2018 to Dec 2018) Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
• Lecturer on temporary basis - (October 2006 – July 2008) Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya

• • Undergraduate Teaching (which included teaching 1st, 2nd and 3rd  year Medical students with lectures, organization and supervision of practical work and tutorials)
  • Conducted practical classes for Post Graduate students (M.Sc) in Medical Microbiology 

• Visiting lecturer & examiner - (2007 - 2010) , Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Peradeniya (“Laboratory Practice”, “General Microbiology” and “Systematic Microbiology” modules)

• • Undergraduate teaching (which included teaching 1st and 2nd year Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) students)
  • Conducted lectures, organized and supervised practical classes and tutorials.
  • Examiner for 1st and 2nd year Medical Laboratory Science examinations.

• Fungal contamination in pea nuts
• Antimicrobial activity of invasive plant species on Staphylococcus aureus
• Antifungal activity of Bacillus sps on Aspergillus niger
• Epidemiology of enteric fever in Sri Lanka and the role of bacteriological and PCR investigations in its diagnosis

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Completed the staff development Program for Lecturers at the Medical Education Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri-Lanka (August 2008 – October 2008 – spanning 3 weeks)
• Participated in the workshop on “Communication in Higher Education” held on 24th July 2008 at University of Rajarata, Mihintale, conducted by staff development centre, University of Rajarata in collaboration with Department of Agricultural Extension, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya.
• Participated in the workshop on “Effective Teaching and Learning through Constructive Alignment” held on 2nd December 2009 at the University of Rajarata, which was conducted by the Sri Lanka Association - for improving Higher Education Effectiveness (SLAIHEE).
• User awareness seminar on Medical Information resources, sponsored by WHO & Ministry of Health Sri Lanka through HeLLIS Network held on 28th February 2011 at the Faculty of Medicine & Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Saliyapura
• Participated in the “Symposium on Vaccines” organized by the Anuradhapura Clinical Society in collaboration with Vaccine Forum of Sri Lanka and Allergy and Immunology Society of Sri Lanka at Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura on the 12^th August 2011
• Participated in the workshop on “Use of Molecular Methods for the Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases,” held at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka- 23-24^th June 2012
• Participated in the SLMA / FERCSL workshop on Research Ethics, organized by the Ethics Review Committee of Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka on the 17th of October 2012
• Participated in the workshop on “Ethics Review of Clinical Trials” organized by the Ethics Review Committee, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo and Coordinating Site, South Asian Cochrane Network and Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kalaniya on 29^th and 30^th November 2012
• Participated in the HETC Symposium 2014 “National Development through Research and Innovation” organized by Human Resource Development and Quality and Innovation Grant of the Higher Education for the Twenty First Century (HETC) project, Ministry of Higher Education, Sri Lanka – July 2014

CONFERENCES ATTENDED

• 49th Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for public Health Conference (APACPH-2017) held at Yonsei University, Incheon, South Korea from 16th to 19th of August 2017 as an oral presenter.
• Participated in the 2nd South Asian Melioidosis Congress – “Unearthing a Subterranean Infection” held in Colombo, on 29th and 30th of August 2017.

ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES AND POSTS HELD

(Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka)

• Member - Curriculum Development Committee, 2009- 2010
• Faculty representative – Citizens Charter development committee of RUSL , 2009/2010
• Member – Faculty Logo development committee, 2009 – 2010
• Member – Time table development committee – 2010
• Member – Soft skills development committee – 2010
• Student counselor – 2011
• Research Supervisor – 2nd MBBS Student research project in Physiology – August 2010 – May 2011
• Member – Ethics Review Committee – 2015-2017
• Member – Research and Higher Degrees Committee – 2016 – 2018
• Student counselor – 2015/2016
• Research Supervisor – 2nd MBBS Student research project – May 2016 - 2018 (won the award for the best research project)
• Member – Library Committee (2016/2017)
• Research Supervisor – 2nd MBBS Student research project –2018/2019

SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

• Organized a community awareness programme on Dengue fever at the primary Health clinic, puliyankulama, Anuradhapura on the 07th of June 2017
• Organized a Dengue awareness lecture session on the 28th of June 2017 at the Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Saliyapura for the staff of the Rajarata University and clinicians of the Anuradhapura Teaching hospital;
• Organized a Workshop titled “"Laboratory Management and Basic Molecular Biology Techniques" in collaboration with the Avon Pharmo chem (pvt)ltd for technical officers and laboratory support staff of Rajarata University of Sri Lanka on On 12th and 13th December 2017 at Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Saliyapura, Anuradhapura

MEMBERSHIP OF SOCIETIES

• Member of Sri Lanka Association for improving Higher Education Effectiveness (SLAIHEE).
• Member of Sri Lankan Society for Microbiology (SSM)