Dr. Asha Wijegunawardana

Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

A need for action - community and scientists working together towards controlling infectious diseases

The control of vector-borne diseases (VBD) has become a challenge for developing countries due to the limited availability of resources, and many isolated communities continue to experience a greater risk of VBDs. In this presentation, Dr. Asha Wijegunawardana, Senior Lecturer, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, discusses why scientists need to work together to control vector-borne infectious diseases. This talk was presented at the SelectScience® Virtual Microbiology and Infectious Disease Summit 2022.



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Dr. Asha Wijegunawardana
Virtual summit Microbiology

Dr. Asha Wijegunawardana

Biography

Dr. N. D. Asha D. Wijegunawardana is a Senior Lecturer Department of Bioprocess Technology, Faculty of Technology, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. More

Dr. Asha Wijegunawardana

Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

Dr. Asha Wijegunawardana has a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from the University of Wayamba, Sri Lanka (2001-2006) with a major in Biotechnology and a Master of Philosophy degree in Molecular Biology from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka (2007 – 2010). In recognition of Wijegunawardana’s outstanding research excellence shown during post-graduate research work, she was offered the position of Research Officer in the Anti Filariasis Campaign, Colombo, Sri Lanka in the year 2011. In the year 2014, Wijegunawardana joined the Faculty of Medicine, the University of Kelaniya as a Scientific Assistant and registered for her Ph.D. in Molecular Biology in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. Wijegunawardana’s thesis research was supported by funds received through both the WHO/TDR postgraduate research grant and the IAEA CRP grant received for the use of sterile insect techniques for the control of Aedes mosquitoes in Sri Lanka. Wijegunawardana completed her Ph.D. thesis research in the year 2018. Wijegunawardana will be joining the Department of Bioprocess Technology, Faculty of Technology, the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka to advance her professional skills further while utilizing 14+ years of professional experience in scientific research and academic skills. She has been trained in handling all laboratory facilities and techniques related to Molecular Biology and Medical Entomology research work during this tenure of her research carrier. A very small portion of the research community focuses on implementation research on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), especially since quite a few are interested in vector control research in the field where active disease transmission has taken place. Wijegunawardana is passionate about being part of that small group committed to making a difference and helping the large number of poor people affected by NTDs.