The staff of the Department of Microbiology is involved in the following training programmes
| Name of the student |
Names of supervisors |
Degree Registered |
Tentative Title |
| Ms. Tharushi Fernando |
Prof. Faseeha Noordeen, Prof Vijaykrishna Dhanasekaran and Prof. J. S. M. Peiris (School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong) |
PhD |
Evolution of coronaviruses in selected common environments in Sri Lanka |
| Ms. Rydhnieya Vijeyakumaran |
Prof. Nilanthi Dissanayake, Prof. Kumiko Yoshimatsu (Hokkaido University, Japan), Dr. Vaithehi Rajeevan Francis (Faculty of Health Care Sciences, Eastern University, Sri Lanka), Dr. Chandika Gamage (School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, USA) |
MPhil |
Sero-epidemiological and Molecular Investigation of Hantavirus Infection among Selected Cohorts in the Ampara and Batticaloa districts in Sri Lanka |
| Ms Madumali Weerasekara |
Prof. Faseeha Noordeen and Dr. Rohitha Muthugala (MRI, Colombo 08) |
MPhil |
Molecular characterization of dengue virus serotypes (DENV1-DENV4) detected from patients identified in the Kandy area |
| Ms Kasuni Thilakarathne |
Prof. Faseeha Noordeen and Dr Gayan Bowatta (FoAHS, UoP) |
MPhil |
Sero-prevalence of hepatitis A and E virus infections in selected urban, rural and estate settings of Kandy District of Sri Lanka |
| Ms. Randeni Arachchige Sachini Bhagya Randeni |
Prof. Faseeha Noorden, Prof. Joseph Sriyal Malik Peiris, Prof. Vijaykrishna Dhanasekaran (School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong ) |
MPhil |
The prevalence and characterization of Nipah and related henipaviruses in bats from selected locations in Sri Lanka |
| Ms. L.H.M.R.L Ambillapitiya |
Prof. Veranja Liyanapathirana, Dr. Wasana Kudagammana, Prof. Rajitha Abeysekara (Department of Medicine) |
MPhil |
Clinical and microbiological profiles of recurrent urinary tract infections in adult premenopausal women with molecular characterization of isolates |
| Name of the student |
Names of supervisors |
Degree Registered |
Thesis title |
Year of graduation |
| Ms. W. K. H. Dheerasekara |
Prof. Veranja Liyanapathirana, Dr. Rohitha Muthugala (NHK/MRI), Prof. Chandika Damesh Gamage |
MPhil |
Common viral and bacterial aetiologies of clinically suspected central nervous system infection in Central, North Central and Southern Sri Lanka |
2026 |
| Ms. Fathima Siromiya Shamil Mafras |
Prof. Veranja Liyanapathirana, Dr. H. D.W.S. Kudagammana, Dr. Vaithehi Rajeevan Francis (Senior Lecturer, Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Health Care Sciences, Eastern University, Sri Lanka) |
MPhil |
Colonization with selected antimicrobial resistant bacteria in pregnant mothers admitted for delivery at tertiary care hospitals in the eastern province. |
2026 |
| Ms. Shiyamalee Arunasalam |
Prof. Faseeha Noordeen and Dr. Rohitha Muthugala (MRI, Colombo 08) |
PhD |
Spectrum of respiratory viruses infecting the COVID-19 suspected patients during the pandemic |
2026 |
| Mr. Nipun Shaminda Rathnayake |
Prof. Nilanthi Dissanayake, Prof. Kumiko Yoshimatsu (Hokkaido University, Japan), Dr.Chandika Damesh Gamage (School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, USA) |
MPhil |
Investigation of the burden and transmission dynamics of hantavirus infection in selected administrative areas of Madawachchiya divisional secretariat, Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka: Human–Animal–Environment interface approach |
2026 |
| Ms Nelum Handapangoda |
Prof Veranja Liyanapathirana, Prof Nilanthi Dissanayake, Prof Thushara Kudagammana (Department of Paediatrics) |
MPhil |
Nasal Colonization of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae in Kindergarten Aged Children Attending Immunization Clinics in Central Province, Sri Lanka |
2026 |
| Mr. Bushran N. Iqbal |
Prof. Faseeha Noordeen, Dr. Samanthika Jagoda ( FoVM, UoP) |
MPhil |
Development of LAMP for the identification of SARS CoV-2 and molecular characterization of SARS CoV-2 circulated in Kandy areas during the pandemic |
2025 |
| Ms. K.R.P. Karunathilake |
Prof. Champa N. Ratnatunga, Prof. Faseeha Noordeen, Prof. IB. Gawarammana (Department of Medicine) |
MPhil |
Evaluation of Anti SARS CoV 2 Antibody responses in close contact and post vaccination settings |
2025 |
| Dr (Ms) M. O. Galappaththi |
Prof. Faseeha Noordeen and Prof. JC Carr (School of Medicine, Flinders University, Australia) |
PhD |
Pre-clinical development of antiviral therapies for dengue viral infections in virto |
2024 |
| Dr (Ms) H. M. F. J. Nazeefa |
Prof. Champa N. Ratnatunga, Prof. SB. Adikari (Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya) and Prof. M. Thirukumar (Professor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Eastern University of Sri Lanka) |
MPhil |
Comparative study on the effect of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in the transplacental transfer of subclasses of IgG level to the newborn |
2024 |
| Ms. W. A. P. M. Dewasmika |
Prof. D R A Dissanayake (Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, FoVM and Prof B. N. Dissanayake |
MPhil |
Antimicrobial resistance and occurrence of phylogroup b2, ST131, O25b-ST131 and resistance encoding genes among extra-intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli of human and companion animals in selected locations in Sri Lanka |
2023 |
| Ms Gihani Vidanapathirana |
Prof Veranja Liyanapathirana, Prof Nilanthi Dissanayake, Prof Thushara Kudagammana (Department of Paediatrics) |
MPhil |
Pneumococcal colonization in health and respiratory disease among a group of Sri Lankan children between 2 months to 2 years |
2023 |
| Dr (Ms) MVM Divarthna |
Prof. Faseeha Noordeen and Dr Adrian Morel (Consultant Paediatrician, District General Hospital, Kegalle, Sri Lanka) |
PhD |
Characterization of viral causes, respiratory syncytial virus and human metapneumovirus, of acute respiratory tract infections in hospitalized children from selected areas of Sri Lanka |
2021 |
| Dr Chnadana Wijesinghe |
Prof. Faseeha Noordeen, Dr Jagath Gunathilake (Dept of Geology, FoS, UoP and Dr PhD Kusumawathy (Anti-malaria compaign, Kandy, Sri Lanka) |
PhD |
Clinico-epidemiological and spatio-temporal characteristics of dengue in a high risk area: A case study in Mawanella |
2020 |
| Dr Rukshan Ahamed |
Prof. Faseeha Noordeen and Dr Adrian Morel (Consultant Paediatrician, District General Hospital, Kegalle, Sri Lanka) |
MPhil |
Distribution of influenza and parainfluenza viral types in children with acute respiratory tract infection in a selected cohort of hospitalized children in Sri Lanka |
2019 |
| Prof (Ms) K Murugananthan |
Prof. Faseeha Noordeen and Prof. MFA Careem, University of Calgary, Canada) |
PhD |
Clinical and virological features and immuno and molecular diagnostic analysis of dengue virus infection in the Jaffna peninsula |
2017 |
| Dr Sampath Jayaweera |
Prof. Faseeha Noordeen and Dr Adrian Morel (Consultant Paediatrician, District General Hospital, Kegalle, Sri Lanka) |
MPhil |
Viral aetiology, seasonality and clinical presentation of acute respiratory tract infections in children in wet and dry zones of Sri Lanka |
2017 |
| Dr (Ms) PDNN Sirisena |
Prof. Faseeha Noordeen and Dr LakKumar Fernando (Director, Dengue Critical care Unit, District General Hospital, Negambo, Sri Lanka) |
PhD |
Geographic information system modeling of dengue with climatic and socio-demographic factors and molecular dynamics of dengue virus infections in patients and C6/36 cells |
2016 |
| Dr (Ms) UTN Senaratne |
Prof. Faseeha Noordeen and Prof. JC Carr (School of Medicine, Flinders University, Australia) |
PhD |
Role of viral characteristics (serotypes/genotypes) and TNF-α and IL-2 cytokines in the pathogenesis of clinically apparent dengue virus infections |
2016 |
| Dr (Ms) Sabrina Marsha Buharideen |
Prof Sulochana Wijetunge and Prof. Faseeha Noordeen |
MPhil |
Evaluation of different diagnostic tests for detecting Helicobacter pylori in symptomatic patients in Sri Lanka |
2016 |
| Ms Thevaki Gnanakarunyan |
Prof Vasanthi Thevanesam and Prof. Faseeha Noordeen |
MPhil |
Usefulness of the Polymerase Chain Reaction in the Laboratory Diagnosis of typhoid fever |
2014 |
