NADEEJA NIRANJALIE WIJAYATUNGA
701N Ithaca Avenue,Apt 2723,Lubbock, TX 79415
Mobile: 806-401-2185
EDUCATION:
- PhD Student (PhD Candidate) Since 2013 , expected graduation Fall 2016
Department of Nutritional Sciences
College of Human Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
- Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) - Faculty of Graduate Studies 2014
University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor Surgery (MBBS), Faculty of Medicine 2005
University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Graduated with honors (Distinctions in Biochemistry, Parasitology and Pathology)
REGISTRATIONS:
Registered Medical Practitioner of Sri Lanka Medical Council 2007 - present
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE:
- Ph.D. Dissertation Research 2013 – present
Department of Nutritional Science, College of Human Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Mentor: Dr. N. Moustaid-Moussa (PhD, FTOS, FAHA)
“Adipose Depot-Specific Differences in Transcriptome and MicroRNA Expression obesity and changes in inflammatory and metabolic markers following bariatric surgery”
Obesity is a major health problem associated with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. In obesity, various adipose tissues contribute differently to obesity depending on their location in the body. Bariatric surgery is the final but definitive resort for treatment of morbid obesity. My dissertation works focuses on dissecting the molecular mechanisms that result in adipose tissue depot specific differences in gene expression as well as the differences in microRNAs. Furthermore, I am investigating changes in inflammation, metabolites following bariatric surgery
- Research Assistant Summer I/II 2015
“Adipose tissue depot specific gene expression and microRNA differences”
Mentor: Dr. N. Moustaid-Moussa Department of Nutritional Sciences, Texas Tech University
- Research Assistant Summer I/II 2014
“Metabolic changes following bariatric surgery”
“Anti-Inflammatory effects of eicosapentanoic acid on brain in mice”
Mentor: Dr. N. Moustaid-Moussa, Department of Nutritional Sciences, Texas Tech University
- Master of Philosophy 2011 - 2014
Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka
Mentors: Prof. H. Peiris BVSc, MPhil, PhD (QID.Aus), Dr. R. Perera (MBBS, PhD), Prof. K. Wanigasuriya, (MBBS, MD, MPhil, FCCP, FRCP(London), FRACP(Hon)
“Serum cystatin C as a marker in the assessment of renal function in Sri Lankan patients with mild to moderated diabetic nephropathy”
Serum cystatin C (CysC) is a promising marker of glomerular filtration rate in the assessment of renal functions. My aim was to explore the possibility of utilizing CysC in Sri Lankan T2DM patients, by studying the associations between CysC, serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate and albumin to creatinine ratio in T2DM patients with mild to moderate nephropathy and in diabetic retinopathy. Based on my findings, CysC may be used as a reliable renal function marker in T2DM patients with mild to moderate diabetic nephropathy and it is also useful in early detection of poor prognosis in CKD
- Participation in Research project 2005
“Lung airflow in young adult male quarry workers in Peradeniya”
Mentor: Prof. M. Udupihille (MBBS; MPhil, PhD), Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Participation in Research project 2005
“Assessment of Splenic size using ultrasonography in a selected sample of normal individuals in Kandy district”. Mentor: Dr. B. Hewavithana (MBBS MD), Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
RESEARCH FUNDING:
- Graduate School, Texas Tech University Oct 2015
Grant- In-Aid
- National Science Foundation, Sri Lanka 2011-2013
Competitive Research Grant -RG/2011/HS/21:Rs.597,500 for the research project, “Establishment of serums Cystatin C reference range for healthy Sri Lankan adults – a preliminary study” (Collaborator)
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
- Lead Teaching Assistant (Nutritional Sciences Laboratory) Jan 2016–present
Department of Nutritional Science, College of Human Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Role: Training new teaching assistants, in charge of supplies to the laboratory, teaching and conducting Science of Nutrition Laboratory classes, grading, proctoring
- Teaching Assistant (Nutritional Sciences Laboratory-Honors) Fall 2015
Department of Nutritional Science, College of Human Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Role: Teaching and conducting Science of Nutrition Laboratory classes for Honors students, facilitating student projects, presentation and grading
- Teaching Assistant (Nutritional Sciences Laboratory) Jan 2013–Dec 2015
Department of Nutritional Science, College of Human Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Role: Teaching and conducting Science of Nutrition Laboratory classes and grading, proctoring
- Lecturer- (on leave to complete Ph.D. since Jul 2013) Aug 2009–present
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka
Role: Teaching Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition to undergraduate Medical students, Bachelors of Science (BSc) Medical Laboratory Sciences, BSc Nursing, BSc. Pharmacy and BSc Human Biology undergraduate students. Convener of Endocrine module of Phase 1 in the Medical (MBBS) curriculum (2011- 2012). Convener of Endocrine module of Phase 1 in the Medical curriculum (2011-2012)
- Temporary lecturer May 2005–Feb2006
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine,University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Role: Preparation of prosected specimen, practical demonstrations, small group discussions in Anatomy and Physiology for undergraduate Medical students. Conducted demonstrations in Anatomy for post graduate students in Surgery
MENTORING:
- Engineering and Medicine SummerResearch Institute Program Summer2014
National Wind Resource Research Center (NWRC), Texas Tech University, Lubbock TX
Mentored Devin Wehle (Freshman UT Austin). Devin was awarded with Cash Family Award for Science for Best Research Contribution at the Engineering and Medicine Summer Research Institute Program, National Wind Resource Center (NWRC) Symposium, Texas Tech University. He is currently a sophomore at the University of Texas-Austin majoring in Neuroscience
- Lauro Cavazos & Ophelia Powell-Malone Mentoring Program 2014-present
(Mentor Tech) – Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Currently mentoring two undergraduate students; a freshman student majoring in Microbiology and a sophomore, majoring in pre-dental. My role as a mentor, is to have weekly communications with protégé(s) including a minimum of two face-to-face interactions per month with the aim of helping students in the transition to the university setting, as well as reaching their academic and professional goals
- Moral Tutor Program 2011-2013
Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka
Mentored medical students and BSc Nursing students (3-8 students per year)
WORK EXPERIENCE:
- Locum Medical Officer 2011-2013
Durdans Private Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Medical Officer – Intensive Care Unit and Anesthesia 2007-2009
Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya, Kandy, Sri Lanka
- Relief Medical Officer in Medicine Feb 2007-Mar 2007
Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Intern Medical Officer in Surgery and Medicine 2006-2007
Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka
FELLOWSHIPS:
- Doctoral Dissertation CompletionFellowship Fall 2016
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
SCHOLARSHIPS:
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX:
- Margaret Chan Carter Scholarship Endowment 2015/2016
- Texas Tech University Presidential Doctoral EX TA 2013-2016
- Texas Tech University, College of Human Sciences 2013-2015
Designated Scholarship
- Margaret Carter Human Sciences Scholarship 2014-2015
- President’s Summer Scholarship 2013/2014
- Texas Tech Incentive for Graduates scholarship 2013/2014
Ministry of Higher Education, Sri Lanka:
- Mahapola Higher Education (Merit) 1999 - 2004
AWARDS:
- Graduate School Poster Competition- 1st place- Category “Inside the Microverse” 2016
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
- Summer Dissertation Award, Graduate School, Texas Tech University 2016
- Graduate Travel award – Experimental Biology 2016
American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-San Diego, CA
- Finalist in the Poster Competition of Basic Sciences Section 2015
The Obesity Week Conference – Log Angeles, CA
- Finalist in the Poster Competition-Second Annual Meeting 2015
Obesity Research Cluster - Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
- Graduate Travel award –Experimental Biology 2015
American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-Boston, MA
- Graduate School Poster Competition- 1st place in Science category 2 2014
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
- S. Ramachandran Prize for the Best Paper in Nephrology 2013
Sri Lankan Medical Association Scientific Medical Congress Session, Sri Lanka
- Prof. Sivalingam Memorial Award in Parasitology 2003
Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS AND ACVITIVIES:
- Basic Science Section news subcommittee of The Obesity Society’ eNews 2016
Working member
- The Obesity Society - Student member 2014 - present
- American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2014 - present
-Student member
- American Society of Nutrition - Student member of 2014 - present
- Obesity Research Cluster, Texas Tech University - Student member 2014 - present
- Sri Lanka Medical Association - Member 2012 - present
- Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka - Member 2012 - present
- Physiological Society of Sri Lanka - Member 2005 - present
- Kandy Society of Medicine, Sri Lanka – Member 2005 - present
PUBLICATIONS
- Sams V., Blackledge C., Wijayatunga N., Barlow P., Mancini M., Mancini G., & Moustaid-MoussaN.(2015):Effect of bariatric surgery on systemic and adipose tissue inflammation. Surgical Endoscopy: 1-6. doi:10.1007/s00464-015-4638-3
- Silva N., Tennakoon V., Wijayatunga N. (2013):"What makes medical students to say “yes” to e-learning?" Sri Lanka Journal of Bio-Medical Informatics 4(1): 7-13
ABSTRACT PRESENTATIONS
Poster presentations
- Wijayatunga N, Pahlavani M, Kottapalli R., Dawson J, Ramalingam L., Gunaratne P., Coarfa C., Rajapakshe K., Kalupahana N., Moustaid-MoussaN.:Adipose Depot-Specific Differences in Transcriptome and MicroRNA Expression in High Fat Diet Induced Obese Mice. Experimental Biology Conference 2016. April 2016The FASEB Journal vol. 30 no. 1 Supplement 626.2
- Pahlavani M, Wijayatunga N, Kottapalli R., Ramalingam L., Gunaratne P., Coarfa C., Rajapakshe K., Kalupahana N., Moustaid-MoussaN.:Transcriptomic and MicroRNA analyses identify gene networks regulated by Eicosapentaenoic acid in brown adipose tissue from diet-induced obese mice. Experimental Biology Conference 2016.April 2016 The FASEB Journalvol. 30 no. 1 Supplement 626.5
- Wijayatunga N., Sams V.G., BlackledgeC.D., Siriwardhana N., Mancini M.L., Mancini G.J., Dawson J.A., Moustaid-Moussa N. :Inflammatory and Metabolic changes following Bariatric Surgery. The Obesity Week 2015. (Poster presentation). Obesity 2015 Abstract Book, T-P-3260, 4
- Wijayatunga N., Sams V.G., BlackledgeC.D., Siriwardhana N., Mancini M.L., Mancini G.J., Dawson J.A., Moustaid-Moussa N. :Inflammatory and Metabolic changes following Bariatric Surgery. American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology session, Experimental Biology Conference 2015. (Poster presentation). April 2015The FASEB Journal vol. vol. 29 no. 1 Supplement 884.58
- Wijayatunga N., Perera P.R., Wanigasuriya K., Wijeysiri A., Moustaid-Moussa N, Peiris H. :Serum cystatin C in early prediction of risk of chronic kidney disease progression in type 2 diabetes. American Physiology Society session, Experimental Biology Conference 2014 (Poster presentation). April 2014The FASEB Journal vol. 28no. 1 Supplement LB727
- Wijayatunga N., Sams V.G., BlackledgeC.D., Siriwardhana N., Mancini M.L., Mancini G.J., LeMieux M., Moustaid-Moussa N.: Differential regulation of adipokine levels after Bariatric surgery. American Nutrition Society sessions, Experimental Biology conference 2014 (Poster presentation).April 2014The FASEB Journal Vol. 28no. 1 Supplement LB345
- Silva N., Wijayatunga N., Tennekoon V.:Early usage of a computer is associated with first year medical students’ perception of e-learning.4th Post Graduate Institute of Medicine, Sri Lanka, Academic Sessions: 2013
- Wijayatunga N., Perera P.P.R., Peiris H., Wanigasuriya K.:Reference intervals for serum cystatin c in healthy Sri Lankan adults- a preliminary study. 4th Post Graduate Institute of Medicine, Sri Lanka, Academic Sessions: 2013. Abstract number-26
- Wijayatunga N., Perera P.P.R., Peiris H., Wanigasuriya K.:Association of estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate and Albumin to Creatinine Ratio with Diabetic Retinopathy in Sri Lankan type 2 diabetic patients – Preliminary study - Sri Lanka Medical Association 126th Anniversary Scientific Medical Congress, Sri Lanka:2013.
- Wijayatunga N., Perera P.P.R., Wanigasuriya K., Peiris H.:Differences in estimation of Glomerular Filtration Rate using three standard formulae in selected Type 2 Diabetic patients - Sri Lanka Medical Association 126th Anniversary Scientific Medical Congress, Sri Lanka:2013.Abstract number-180.
- Wijayatunga N., Peiris H, Perera P.P.R., Wanigasuriya K. :Association of blood pressure and microalbuminuria in a group of Sri Lankan type 2 diabetes patients- A Preliminary study -International Conference on Public Health Innovations, Sri Lanka: 2013. Abstract number-195
- Wijayatunga N., Perera P.P.R., Peiris H., Wanigasuriya K.:Waist circumference and waist to hip ratio is higher in Type 2 diabetics with moderate renal impairment – Findings from a preliminary study. Annual sessions of Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka:2013
- Wanigasuriya K, Chandrika U.G., Goonarathne J., Herath C., Perera P.P.R., Wijayatunga N. :Abnormal serum retinol and α tocopherol levels in a sample of Sri Lankan patients on regular hemodialysis .Annual sessions of Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka:2013
- Wijayatunga N., Perera P.P.R., Wanigasuriya K., Peiris H.:Association between duration of type 2 diabetes and body mass index in a group of female Sri Lankan type 2 diabetics with routine clinic follow up - A preliminary study. Annual Academic Sessions of Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka: 2012
Oral Presentations
- Yen E., Wijayatunga N., Pahlavani M., Ramalingam L., Kottapalli R., Kalupahana N., Gunaratne P., Coarfa C., Dharmawardhne S., Moustaid-MoussaN. :MicroRNAs as a Novel Mechanism by which Eicosapentaenoic Acid Mediates Inflammation in Diet-Induced Obesity. Experimental Biology Conference 2016.April 2016 The FASEB Journalvol. 30 no. 1 Supplement 911.7
- Wijayatunga N., Perera P.P.R., Wanigasuriya K., Peiris H. :Serum Cystatin C as a marker in the assessment of renal function in diabetic nephropathy in Sri Lankan type 2 diabetics- Preliminary study - Sri Lanka Medical Association 126th Anniversary Scientific Medical Congress, Sri Lanka: 2013. Abstract number-181
- Wijayatunga N., Perera P.P.R., Peiris H., Wanigasuriya K. :Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate calculated using IDMS-traceable MDRD equation may predict the duration of diabetes in Sri Lankan Type 2 diabetic patients.- International Conference on Public Health Innovations, Sri Lanka: 2013 (Oral presentation)
- Hewavithana P.B., Wijayatunga N., Attanayake A.M.N.S., Halpage I.P.:Assessment of Splenic size using ultrasonography in a selected sample of normal individuals in Kandy district. Presented at 5th Annual sessions of Sri Lanka College of Radiologists, Sri Lanka:2006
- Attanakaye N.S., Tennakoon R.G.B., Wijayatunga N.,Halpage I.P.:Lung airflow in young adult male quarry workers in Peradeniya. Annual session of the Physiological Society of Sri Lanka:2005
PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOPS/ CERTIFICATE COURSES
- Professional development program Apr 2016
American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Groundwork program Jan 2016
Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center, Texas Tech University
- Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (QIAGEN) software workshop Sep 2015
- Professional development program Mar 2015
American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Responsible conduct of research, Texas Tech University Oct 2014
- Budget basics, Texas Tech University Nov 2013
- International Teaching Assistants Workshop, Texas Tech University Jul 2013
- Certificate Course in Higher Education 2012
University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka
- Professional Development Program, Out bound training Nov 2012
Academy of Adventure, Sri Lanka
- Certificate in Higher Education, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka 2012
- Workshop on Teaching, Learning and Assessment methods Sep 2009
Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka
- MD Anesthesiology Part 1-A Examination 2007
Post Graduate Institute of Medicine, Colombo, Sri Lanka
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Volunteer Activities:
- Council member and a working member 2015 - present
Community Outreach Commission and Student Advocacy & Welfare Commission of Graduate Student Advisory Council (GSAC), Texas Tech University
Volunteered in community, student and social activities organized by GSAC
- Member of Graduate Nutrition Organization (GNO) 2014 - present
Department of Nutritional Sciences, Texas Tech University, Volunteered in activities organized by GNO
- Volunteered at The Obesity Week Sessions 2015
- Judge - South Plains Regional Science & Engineering Fair 2014 and 2015
- Participated in American Heart Association walk in Lubbock for fund raising 2014
Toastmasters International:This is a nonprofit educational organization that operates clubs worldwide and the aim is to help members improve their communication, public speaking, and leadership skills.
- 2nd place in the Toast Masters International Speech contest at Area 61 Mar 2016
- Vice President of Articulate Toast Masters Club, Lubbock, TX Jan 2016
- Member of Articulate Toast Masters club, Lubbock, TX 2014 – 2015
- Former member of Lyceum Nugegoda Toast Masters Club, Sri Lanka 2012 - 2013
- 2nd place in the Toast Masters Evaluation contest at Area 61 Aug 2015
- 1st place in the Toast Masters International Speech contest at Area 61 Feb 2015