Microbiology

Prof. Faseeha Noordeen, BVSc, MPhil, PhD, is the Chair Professor of Microbiology at the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, and has over two decades of experience specializing in virology and education. She leads education in bacteriology, virology, and infectious diseases, and is an experienced supervisor in both undergraduate and postgraduate research. Prof Noordeen has a long track record in research both as Principal Investigator and as a senior collaborator and guides multidisciplinary diagnostic and research virology efforts. Her research focuses on viral infections, dengue virus dynamics, hepatitis B, rapid viral diagnostics, and pediatric infectious diseases, contributing widely to scientific literature and national health knowledge. She also authors textbooks and conducts community-oriented microbiology training.

Prof. B.N. Dissanayake, MBBS, Dip Med Micro, MD (Colombo), is a Professor in Microbiology at the Faculty of Medicine and is a Board-Certified Specialist in Microbiology serving as an Honorary Consultant Microbiologist at Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya. Prof Dissanayake contributes to teaching and training both undergraduates as well as postgraduates in clinical microbiology, while also acting as a supervisor for undergraduate, and postgraduate research. As a Consultant Microbiologist in active clinical service at the Teaching Hospital Peradeniya, Prof Dissanayake’s plays a key role in supervising and developing clinical laboratory diagnostics and strengthening infectious disease management. Her areas of research interest include leptospirosis, community-acquired pneumonia, fungal infections and antimicrobial resistance, focusing on advancing understanding of infectious diseases in local contexts.

Prof. Veranja C. Liyanapathirana, MBBS, MPhil, PhDis a Professor in Microbiology at the Faculty of Medicine and currently serves as the Head of Department. Prof Liyanapathirana is trained in molecular microbiology and has a special interest in bacteriology and antimicrobial resistance. She is actively involved in teaching microbiology to undergraduates and supervises both undergraduate and postgraduate research in related medical microbiology. Prof Liyanapathirana is involved in both national and international collaborative research which has primarily focused on streptococcus and mechanisms and detection of antimicrobial resistance.

Prof. Champa N. Ratnatunga, MBBS, MSc(Bio-statistics), MPhil, PhD, is a Professor in Immunology at the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine. Her background in tuberculosis diagnostics, nontuberculous mycobacterial infections and cell mediated immunity provide a strong foundation teaching and research in infectious disease related immunology. Prof. Ratnatunga engages in immunology and microbiology education for undergraduates and immunology training for postgraduates, while supervising research at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Prof. Ranatunga’s research interests include vaccine-induced immune responses in immunocompromised populations as well as developing tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacterial diagnostic capacity.

Dr. Wasana H.D.W.S. Kudagammana, MBBS, MD in Medical Microbiology, FRCPath (UK), is a Senior Lecturer in Microbiology at the Faculty of Medicine and is a Boar-Certified Specialist in Microbiology serving as an Honorary Consultant Microbiologist at Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya. Dr Kudagammana contributes to teaching and training both undergraduates as well as postgraduates in clinical microbiology, while also acting as a supervisor for undergraduate, and postgraduate research. Dr Kudagammana’s research interests include viral pathogens such as coronaviruses in bat guano, Group B streptococcal colonization and respiratory infections in Sri Lanka. She has a keen interest in training / awareness / outreach programme development and conduction, while contributing significantly at both local and national level for the development of guidelines and standard operating procedures. Dr. Kudagammana actively focuses on strengthening and improving clinical diagnostics, antimicrobial stewardship and community infection surveillance.