Profile

Current research activities

• Research in Natural products

Publications

• KDK Peshala Kumari, Shiroma M Handunnetti, Kamani Samarasinghe, T Sugandhika Suresh.  A Comparative Study on the Organoleptic Properties and Antioxidant Activity of the Hot Water Extracts of Dried Flowers of Aegle marmelos, A Sri Lankan Traditional Beverage. Indian Journal of Natural Sciences, 2021 ;12(67): 33157- 33164
• Kumari K.D.K.P., Chandrasena U.S.D., Rajapakse S., Suresh T.S. In vitro assessment of Trypsin Inhibitory Activity in Seed Extracts of Medicinal Legume Mucuna pruriens. Communication Issue of Journal of Science- Faculty of Applied sciences, South eastern University of Sri Lanka. (2021): 11-15.
• R.N.N. Gamage, K.D.K.P. Kumari. A Review on Therapeutic Potential of Protease Inhibitors from Medicinal Plants. Asian Journal of Research in Biochemistry 2018.   3(4): 1-11 DOI https://doi.org/10.9734/ajrb/2018/v3i430055
• W.M.D. Thisera, R.M.P.S. Thilakarathne, A.G.K. Neranja and K.D.K.P. Kumari. Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of different solvent extracts of Ipomoea littoralis (Blume): a naturally growing medicinal plant in Sri Lanka. South Asian Research Journal of Natural Products 2019. 2(1): 1-9
• W.M.D. Thisera, A.G.K. Neranja, R.M.P.S. Thilakarathne and K.D.K.P. Kumari. Antimicrobial activity of crude extracts of Oldenlandia auricularia against some selected human pathogens. South Asian Journal of Research in Microbiology. 2018. 2 (4): 1-9 DOI https://doi.org/10.9734/sajrm/2018/v2i429898
• Neranja AGK, Thilakarathne RMPS, Hasanthi KB, Kankanamge SU, Kumari KDKP. Assessment of anti-bacterial efficacy of different parts of the medicinal plant Wattakaka volubilis (L.f.) Stapf grown in Sri Lanka. Journal of Scientific and Engineering Research. 2019 6(1); 69-76 (Peer Review Journal)
• KB Hasanthi, RNN Gamage and KDKP Kumari. Anti-microbial activity of different solvent extracts of dried flowers of Aegle marmelos. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2018, 7 (special issue):         1827-1830 (Peer Review Journal) 
• R.N.N. Gamage, K.B. Hasanthi, K.D.K.P. Kumari. A Comparative Study on In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Different Leaf Extracts of Medicinal Plant Talinum paniculatum. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Research. 2017; 10 (3): 144-154. (Peer Review Journal)
• P. Sathyathas, R. Tudugala, M. Jayasuthan, K.D.K.P. Kumari. A Qualitative Evaluation on Learning Experiences and Perceptions on M.Sc. in Medical Physics among Radiography and Radiotherapy Graduates. International Journal of Science and Research Methodology. 2016; 5 (2): 13-22. (Peer Review Journal)

Communications

• AASP Nimanthika, MKJKB Dharmapriya, RSP Fernando, KDKP Kumari. Evaluation of the difficulty level of basic sciences for first year allied health undergraduates of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka. IUBMB Education Conference 2019, Manila, Philippines
• M.D.R.C.J Seelawickrama, K.D.K.P. Kumari, M. R Lamabadusuriya. An investigation on Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals and Radionuclides in Sonneratia caseolaris, a mangrove grown in Sri Lanka. 2nd International Conference on Innovative & Advanced Multidisciplinary Research (ICIAMR-2019), 12-13 October, 2019 PACC, Singapore:60
• MRD Anuradha Chandrasiri, RMUGMS Bandara, Manuja R Lamabadusuriya, KDK Peshala Kumari. The transfer of natural radionuclides from soil to Centella asiatica, a widely used medicinal plant grown in Colombo district, Sri Lanka. 27th FAOBMB Conference, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 19-22 August 2019
• Neranja AGK, Thilakarathne RMPS, Hasanthi KB, Kankanamge SU, Kumari KDKP. A comparative study on in vitro antimicrobial potential of different parts of the medicinal plant Wattakaka volubilis (L.f.) Stapf. IUBMB Advanced School on Frontiers in Infection associated Cancer at Bangkok, Thailand. June 2018:16
• Thilakarathne RMPS, Neranja AGK, Hasanthi KB, Kankanamge SU, Kumari KDKP. In vitro Antibacterial Activity of Aqueous and Methanolic Extracts of Wattakaka volubilis (L.f.) Stapf: A Sri Lankan Ethno medicinal Plant. International Conference on Natural Products 2018. Penang, Malaysia. March 2018:90
• R.N.N. Gamage, K.B. Hasanthi, K.D.K.P. Kumari. Evaluation of In vitro Antibacterial Activity of Different Extracts of Talinum paniculatum and Aegle marmelos. Tradmed International, Sri Lanka 2017, International Symposium on Traditional and Complementary Medicine. Colombo, Sri Lanka. November 2017: 102.

• FAOBMB Travel Fellowship 2018 to participate The IUBMB Advanced School on Frontiers in Infection associated Cancer at Bangkok, Thailand. June 2018.
• IUBMB Tang Travel Bursary to attend the 2019 IUBMB- PSBMB Education Conference in the Philippines on November 13-15, 2019 at Manila Hotel, Manila.

Research Awards & Grants

• Co-investigator: KDU Annual Research Grant 2021; (KDU/RG/2021/CARE/002) LKR 1,899,250.00 for the project titled "Formulation of a nutraceutical product with the hypoglycemic potential from underutilized fruit crops in Sri Lanka"
• Principal investigator: KDU Annual Research Grant 2021; (KDU/RG/2021/FAHS/001) LKR 1,995,000.00 for the project titled “Synthesis of Graphene Oxide Based Nanocomposites Loaded with Natural Bioactive Compounds for Enhanced Wound Care”
• Principal investigator: KDU Annual Research Grant 2020; (KDU/RG/2020/FAHS/001) LKR 1,962,000.00 for the project titled “Purification and characterization of the Aspartic Protease inhibitors from mushrooms in Sri Lanka”
• National Research Council Merit Award for Scientific Publication in 2014

• Senior Lecturer, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University.
• Lecturer, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University.

• Council Member for 2022/2023 in Sri Lankan Academy of Young Scientists
• Council Member for 2021/2023 in Sri Lanka College of Biochemists
• Member of Environment Committee of Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science for the year of 2021, 2022
• Council Member for 2021/2022 in Sri Lankan Academy of Young Scientists
• Council member of Sri Lanka National Chapter, Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), for the year of 2021/2023
• Council member of Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science for the year of 2021
• Committee member of Section D of Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science for the year of 2022
• Member of council for 2019/2020 in Institute of Biologists, Sri Lanka
• Member of council for 2019/2021 in Sri Lanka College of Biochemists
• Member of council for 2019/2020 in Sri Lankan Academy of Young Scientists
• Member of Management committee of Forum for Ethics Review committees in Sri Lanka from January 2018 to January 2020
• A member of Executive Committee for 2014, 2015, 2016 in Sri Lanka Association for Laboratory Animal Science

• Short course on Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, organized by office of the Dean, research and development, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka from 17th of March to 24th of November 2021.

• one Week Hands-on training workshop on Human/Cancer Cell Culture Techniques & MTT Assay conducted at International center for stem cells, cancer and Biotechnology in Pune, India from 24th to 30th December 2018.
• Training in the International Course on surveying and Evaluating Ethics Review Practices conducted by Forum for Ethics review committees in the Asian and Western Pacific region.
• The IUBMB Advanced School 2018: Frontiers in infection associated cancer During 17-20 June 2018 at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
• The first certificate course on Applied physiology of pain, analgesia, Anaesthesia and Euthanasia for laboratory animals conducted by Sri Lanka Association for Laboratory Animal Sciences in collaboration with the Comparative Biology Centre, Newcastle University, UK.
• Certificate course on Fundamentals of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology conducted by Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (100 hours).
• Certificate course on Computer Based Data Analysis, Conducted by Department of Decision sciences, Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
• International course on Introduction to Qualitative Methods for Health and Social Care Research conducted by Institute for Research and Development, Sri Lanka in collaboration with University of Cambridge UK, Keele University UK, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London UK, South Asian Hub Advocacy, Research and Education on Mental health (from 09th to 13th March 2016).
• The International Certificate Course on Laboratory Animal Science programmed based on FELASA cat C., conducted at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo in collaboration with the Utrecht University, the Netherlands.

• Conduct academic activities (lectures, tutorials, practical classes, examinations…etc) for undergraduates of Faculty of Allied Health Sciences on (from 20/10/2014 up to date),
•  
  • Biochemistry
  • Human Anatomy
  • Research Methodology/Research Ethics
  • General Pathology
  • Human Physiology 
  • Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
  • Techniques of genomics and proteomics in drug design and development
• Visiting lecturer for the module on Nanotechnology (BM3282) for BSc in Biomedical Engineering Degree program at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University
• Visiting lecturer for the module on Molecular Biotechnology (BM 3134) for BSc in Biomedical Engineering Degree program at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University
• Visiting lecturer for course of practical sessions for undergraduate module on Human Anatomy practical (NS 3028) in the Department of Nuclear Science at University of Colombo
• Visiting lecturer for BSc in Nuclear Science module on Radiobiology (NS 3901) in the Department of Nuclear Science at University of Colombo
• Visiting lecturer for MSc in Nuclear Science module on Radiobiology (MNS 5013) in the Department of Nuclear Science at University of Colombo for the academic year 2020/2022
• Visiting lecturer for undergraduate module on Nuclear techniques in Biology (NS 3906) in the Department of Nuclear Science at University of Colombo
• Visiting lecturer for undergraduate module on Research Methodology in British College of Applied Studies, Sri Lanka for the academic year 2020/2021