Ms Nushka Ubhayawardana
About me
I am a senior lecturer in the Department of Basic Sciences and Social Sciences, Faculty of Nursing, University of Colombo. I hold a M.Phil. in Molecular Microbiology and am currently pursuing my Ph.D. at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University. My academic and research work spans microbiology, infectious diseases, and molecular diagnostics, with multiple peer-reviewed publications and international conference presentations.
With over a decade of teaching and research experience, I have served in various academic roles at leading Sri Lankan institutions, contributed extensively to quality assurance and curriculum development, and supervised numerous undergraduate research projects. My research interests include Helicobacter pylori, filariasis, microbial diagnostics, and public health-related microbiology.
I am an accomplished academic and researcher in the fields of microbiology, infectious diseases, and molecular diagnostics. I currently serve as a senior lecturer in the Department of Basic Sciences and Social Sciences at the Faculty of Nursing, University of Colombo—a position I have held since 2023, following my tenure as a lecturer from 2019 to 2023. I am currently reading for my Ph.D. at the Faculty of Graduate Studies, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, building upon my Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Molecular Microbiology and my Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology with a specialisation in Microbiology from the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
My academic excellence has been evident from the early stages of my career, demonstrated by distinctions in Physiology, Pathology, and Microbiology. These achievements reflect my longstanding commitment to contributing meaningfully to the scientific community.
With over a decade of academic experience, I have contributed significantly to teaching, research, and academic development. My career began with appointments as a lecturer in parasitology at the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine and as a visiting lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, and the Management and Science Institute.
My research portfolio reflects a strong commitment to advancing scientific understanding of infectious and parasitic diseases. I have published in peer-reviewed journals on topics including Helicobacter pylori infection, gastric cancer biomarkers, antimicrobial resistance, filariasis, and the human microbiota. My work has been presented at numerous national and international conferences, including the International Congress on Infectious Diseases, for which I received an NSF travel grant in 2016. Through my postgraduate research projects, I have developed strong competencies in molecular laboratory techniques such as PCR, RFLP, AFLP, gel electrophoresis, ELISA, and cell culture.
I have also played an active role in university-level academic governance and quality assurance. I currently serve as the Chairperson of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) at the Faculty of Nursing and have contributed to institutional review processes, curriculum development, mentoring programmes, and student welfare initiatives. My leadership roles include coordinating certificate programmes, orientation programmes, and several faculty-level committees, demonstrating my commitment to enhancing academic standards and supporting student development.
In addition to my academic responsibilities, I have supervised several undergraduate research projects in biomedical science. My research interests include molecular diagnostics, microbial pathogenesis, parasitology, gastrointestinal infections, and the public health implications of infectious diseases. With a strong foundation in both teaching and research, I remain dedicated to advancing scientific inquiry while inspiring the next generation of healthcare and biomedical professionals.
Other Memberships/Affiliations
Degrees:
Ubhayawardana DLNL, Weerasekera MM, Weerasekera DD, Samarasinghe K, Gunasekera TDCP, Fernando SSN. Detection of Clarithromycin Resistant Helicobacter pylori Strains in a Dyspeptic Patient Population in Sri Lanka by PCR-RFLP. Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology: 2015: 33; 3. P 374-377.
D.L. Nushka L. Ubhayawardana, Manjula M. Weerasekera, Deepaka D. Weerasekera, T.D. Chinthika P. Gunasekera, and S.S. Neluka Fernando. Proportion of Helicobacter pylori Among Dyspeptic Patients Detected by Molecular Methods in a Teaching Hospital in Sri Lanka. International Journal of Enteric Pathogens. Nov 2015:3(4). P 48-50.
Ubhayawardana DLNL, Weerasekera MM, Gunasekara TDCP, Samarasinghe K, Weerasekera DD, Fernando SSN. Helicobacter pylori infection: Correlation to disease severity and Clarithromycin resistance in a Sri Lankan setting. International Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2016; 45:47. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2016.02.145.
Ubhayawardana N, GammanaLiyanage IMP, Herath HMJCB, Amarasekera U, Dissanayake MI, de Silva HSC, Fernando NS, Ekanayake S. Preliminary study on prevalence of soil transmitted helminth infections among primary school children in Kaduwela MOH Area of Sri Lanka following floods in 2016. Journal of Environmental and Public Health: 2018; Article ID 4929805.
Ubhayawardana DLNL, Nisansala GGT, Arachchi PS, Rajakaruna K, Wanigasekera DK, Gunasekera D, Seneviratne MBS, Weerasekera D, Weerasekera MM, Fernando SSN and Gunasekara TDCP. Circulating MicroRNA 21 Levels in Gastric Cancer Patients in Sri Lanka and Role of Helicobacter pylori as a Risk for Development of Gastric Cancer. J Diagn Tech Biomed Anal 2020, 9:1.
NL Ubhayawardana, S Ghouse, WA Abeyewickreme. Single PCR assay to detect and differentiate Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi in expatriates and locals with filariasis in Sri Lanka. International Journal of Infectious Diseases 101(S1) (2021) 419–436.
DLNL Ubhayawardana, SSN Fernando, TDCP Gunasekara, GGYH Weerasinghe, MM Weerasekera, DD Weerasekara. Human stomach microbiota: Effects on health and disease. Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases 2021 Vol.11(1):3-12. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v11i1.8331
A.M.P.S. Arachchi, T.D.C.P. Gunasekara, M.M. Weerasekera, D.L.N.L. Ubhayawardana, D. Weerasekara, K. Samarasekara, M.B.S. Senevirathna,S.S.N. Fernando. Association between Selected Human Leukocyte Antigen Alleles and Helicobacter pylori Infection among Dyspeptic Patients. International Journal of Enteric Pathogens: 2016 4;4:e37102.
De Silva, D.K.M., Dissanayake, D.M.B.M., Thilakarathna, P.K.I.S., Kumara, G.L.S., Shamen, U.J.L., Dharmasiri, W.D.D.S., Rozni, A.G.M., Minna, N.F., Ubhayawardana, D.L.N.L. & Elvitigala, D.A.S. (2025). Energy drink consumption among undergraduate students at a Sri Lankan state university. Sri Lankan Journal of Nursing, 4(1), 20-37.