Thusitha K. Karunarathna

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Dr. Thusitha K. Karunarathna

BVSc., MSc., MPhil., PhD (London)
Lecturer
Address:

Department of Veterinary Public Health & Pharmacology,
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine & Animal Science,
University of Peradeniya,
Peradeniya,20400

Contact:

Phone:+94 812395760/+94 718600466
Email:thusithak@pdn.ac.lk,
thusithakarunarathna@gmail.com
thusithakarunarathna@vet.pdn.ac.lk

  • Commonwealth Scholarship Award by United Kingdom- 2019 Commonwealth Full Scholarship Award was awarded by Commonwealth Scholarship commission in United Kingdom to complete the PhD attached to Royal Veterinary Collage (RVC), University of London and The Pirbright Institute, United Kingdom.
  • President’s Award for Scientific Research – 2023 President’s Award for Scientific Research was awarded to paper published in Emerging Microbes & infections and title of paper was Neuraminidase activity and specificity of influenza A virus are influenced by haemagglutinin-receptor binding.
  • National Awards for Excellence in Agricultural Research – 2017 by Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy (CARP), Ministry of agriculture, Sri Lanka.
  • Commendable Researcher of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science-2019
    I was awarded as Commendable Researcher of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science for the year 2019. During 2019, I have published two original research articles in high impact journals (EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS 2019. (Impact factor 19.568).
  • Best scientific Paper award - 2024 The scientific paper presented was selected as the best oral presentation in the 76 th Annual Academic Sessions of Sri Lanka Veterinary Association (SLVA), 2024. The title of paper was Investigating molecular markers influences the hemagglutination activity of the H9N2 avian influenza viruses.
  • Post Graduate Research Studentship Award: 2014: Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong. Hong Kong.
  • Awarded a travel grantby The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong to present papers at Options IX for the control of influenza conference, Chicago, Illinois, USA held during 24 th -28 th August 2016.
  • Best Student Award: First runner-up of the “Best Student Award” offered in the 12 th HKU – Pasteur Virology Course held in Hong Kong organized in collaboration with Pasteur Institute, France from 12 th to 25 th July 2015 on the theme of outbreaks.
  • Best scientific paper award - 2018 The scientific paper presented was selected as the best scientific paper in the 16 th annual session of World’s Poultry Science Association Sri Lanka Branch.
  • Best Oral presentation award - 2019 The scientific paper presented was selected as the best oral presentation in the Annual Academic Sessions of the College of Pathologists of Sri Lanka, 2019.
  • Best scientific paper award – 2 nd place in oral presentation - 2019 The scientific paper presented was selected as the 2 nd place in oral presentation in the 52 nd annual scientific congress of Sri Lanka Collage of Obstetricians and Gynaecologiests (SLCOG) 2019.
  • Best scientific paper award – 3 rd place in oral presentation - 2019 The scientific paper presented was selected as the 3 rd place in oral presentation in the 52 nd annual scientific congress of Sri Lanka Collage of Obstetricians and Gynaecologiests (SLCOG) 2019.

  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science - University of Peradeniya. Teaching Veterinary undergraduate student in the Dept. of Veterinary Public Health and pharmacology
    Topics cover by lectures and practical classes (laboratory and field level):
    1. Emerging and re-emerging viral zoonoses and one health concept in veterinary public health
    2. Outbreak investigation in veterinary public health
    3. Surveillance and monitoring of zoonoses
    4. Diagnostic test in veterinary public health
    5. Infectious disease epidemiology in veterinary public health
    6. Molecular epidemiology in Veterinary epidemiology
  • Faculty of Science - University of Peradeniya Teaching Science undergraduate students in the department of botany. Animal Pathogens and Public Health (MIC 4112)
  • Faculty of Allied health Sciences - University of Peradeniya Teaching Allied Health Sciences undergraduate students in the department of Medical Laboratory Sciences and Department of Nursing.
    Public Health Microbiology (ML3103) – Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Health Science, University of Peradeniya
    Community Health (NS3103) - Department of Nursing, Faculty of Allied Health Science, University of Peradeniya
  • Course coordinator
    • Veterinary Public Health (VS4140) - Department of Veterinary Public Health and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Peradeniya (From 2017-2019)
    • Animal Pathogens and Public Health (MIC4112) - Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya (From 2024 to up to date)
    • Veterinary Epidemiology (VS3234) - Department of Veterinary Public Health and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Peradeniya (From 2025 to up to date)

  • Molecular characterization of Avian Influenza Viruses (AIVs) at animal–human interface.
  • Surveillance and molecular characterization of bat-origin zoonotic viruses (coronaviruses, influenza A viruses, Nipah and related viruses).
  • Surveillance and phenotypic characterization of bacteriophages as an alternative to antibiotics to help combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Active research grants:

  • 1. 2025-2027: Chief Grantee to project titled “Establishment of molecular diagnostic method(s) for the detection and surveillance of African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) in domestic and wild pigs in Sri Lanka” Funded by University Research Grant, University of Peradeniya. (ongoing)
  • 2. 2025-2027: Co-Grantee to the project “Prevalence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Poultry, in the Environment, and colonization in Workers along with their Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) Regarding Food/meat handling procedures in Public Wet Markets within Colombo City Limits: A One Health study” Multidisciplinary Research Grants- 2025 Funded by The University Research Council (URC), University of Peradeniya. (ongoing)
  • 3. 2025: Co-Grantee to the project “Primate-Integrated Management for Ecosystem Health and Disease (PRIMED)”. Seed grant from Swedish Research Council grant for building a consortium to build the large grant proposal for PRIMED. (ongoing)
  • 4. 2023-2025: Co-Grantee to the project, “Investigation of the extent of Escherichia coli O157:H7 distribution in cattle manure, raw beef and their contaminated wastewater in Kandy district”. University Research Grant URG/2023/36/V. Funded by University Research Grant, University of Peradeniya. (ongoing)
  • 5. 2017-2018: Co-Grantee to project titled “Profiling of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Planktonic and Biofilm Associated Escherichia coli isolated from commercial layer chicken farms in Kurunegala district of Sri Lanka”. Funded by University Research Grant, University of Peradeniya. (Completed)
  • 6. 2017-2021: National Science Foundation, Sri Lanka. Health Science Special Grant Programme 2017.Grant Amount SLRs.37 Million. “Establishment of Molecular Biomarkers Based Detection Tools for Early Screening of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection and Association of HPV in Pathophysiology of Cervical Cancer in Sri Lankan women - Research team member. (Completed)

Student Title of the Thesis Chief/CoSupervisor Degree Remarks
Ms. M.R.S.Muhandirum Establishment of low cost molecular diagnostic tools for early screening of human papilloma virus infection among sri lankan women Co-supervisor MPhilDecember 2020 Completed
Dr. S.A.I.C.Subhasinghe Antimicrobial resistance patterns in planktonic and biofilm forming Escherichia coli associated with selected commercial chicken layer farms in Kurunegala district, Sri Lanka. Co-Supervisor MPhil 2021 Completed
Ms. D.Suranimala Establishment of a direct duplex colony polymerase chain reaction detection method to identify Group B Streptococcus colonization in pregnant women Co-Supervisor MPhil December 2024 Completed
Dr. HC Gallage Analysis of Microbial Quality of Broiler Feeds in Sri Lankan Co-Supervisor MPhil Degree Reg.No. MPhil(2019/05) Thesis Writing
Dr.N.W.H.C.R.Nanayakkara Investigation of the extent of Escherichia coli O157:H7 distribution in cattle manure, raw beef and their contaminated waste water in Kandy district Chief Supervisor MPhil Ongoing
  • Herath M.T K. Karunarathna, Ranawaka A. P. M. Perera, Vicky J. Fang, Hui-ling Yen, Benjamin John Cowling and Malik Peiris. Serum anti-neuraminidase antibody responses in human influenza A(H 1 N 1 )pdm09 virus infections. EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS 2019. (Impact factor 19.568). https://doi.org/10.1080/22221751.2019.1572433
  • Jimmy Chun Cheong Lai, Herath M.T K. Karunarathna, Ho Him Wong, Joseph S.M. Peiris, John M. Nicholls. Neuraminidase activity and specificity of Influenza A virus are influenced by hemagglutinin-receptor binding. EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS 2019. (Impact factor 19.568). https://doi.org/10.1080/22221751.2019.1581034
  • Pengxiang Chang, Jiayun Yang, Thusitha K Karunarathna, Mehnaz Qureshi, Jean-Remy Sadeyen and Munir Iqbal. Characterization of the haemagglutinin properties of the H5N1 avian influenza virus that caused human infections in Cambodia EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS 2023. (Impact factor 8.4). Full article: Characterization of the haemagglutinin properties of the H5N1 avian influenza virus that caused human infections in Cambodia
  • Joe James, Sushant Bhat, Sarah K. Walsh, Thusitha K. Karunarathna, Jean- Remy Sadeyen, Pengxiang Chang, Joshua E. Sealy, Sahar Mahmood, Benjamin C. Mollett, Marek J. Slomka, Sharon M. Brookes, Munir Iqbalb. The origin of internal genes contributes to the replication and transmission fitness of H7N9 avian influenza virus. JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY 2022. (Impact factor 6.549). The Origin of Internal Genes Contributes to the Replication and Transmission Fitness of H7N9 Avian Influenza Virus | Journal of Virology
  • Thusitha K. Karunarathna, Jean-Remy Sadeyen, Sushant Bhat, Pengxiang Chang, Jiayun Yang, Mehnaz Qureshi, Joshua E. Sealy, Rebecca Daines and Munir Iqbal. Investigation of H9N2 avian influenza immune escape mutant that lacks 1 haemagglutination activity. JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY 2024. (Submitted)
  • Subhashini Muhandiram, Thusitha K. Karunarathna, Eranga H. Siriweera, Chathura J. Ratnayake and Suranga P. Kodithuwakku. Molecular Detection Of Human Papillomavirus Prevalence In Clinically Normal Females and Identification of High-Risk Hpv 16 & 18 Under Low Resources Setting: A Cohort Study From Sri Lanka. VirusDisease. 2024.
  • S. A. I. C. Subhasinghe, A. B. S. Pabasara, P. M. H. M. Pathiraja, H. M. T. K. Karunarathna, R. S. Kalupahana and K. S. A. Kottawatta. Glimpse into the biosecurity, antimicrobial usage, and antimicrobial resistance of fecal escherichia coli associated with commercial chicken layer farms in a poultry dense area. S.L.Vet.J. 2023, 70 (1).
  • Subhashini Muhandiram, Suranga Kodithuwakku, Thusitha K Karunarathna, Eranga H Siriweera, Thiini K. Weerasinghe and Chathura J. Rathnayake Ratnayake. Lack of awareness among candidate females hinders cervical cancer screening; a cohort study from peradeniya and kandy teaching hospitals. SRI LANKA JOURNAL OF MEDICINE 2019.
  • HMTK KARUNARATHNA, RAPM Perera, JCC Lai, HL Yen, BJ Cowling and JSM Peiris (2015). Optimization and application of the Enzyme Linked Lectin Assay (ELLA) for detection of serum anti-neuraminidase antibodies to understand their kinetics, cross reactivity and protective role. Presented at the Research postgraduate Symposium, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong held in December 2015.
  • HMTK KARUNARATHNA, RAPM PERERA, VJ FANG, HL YEN, BJ COWLING AND JSM PEIRIS (2016). Serum anti-neuraminidase antibody (Anti-NA N1) responses in human pandemic H1N1 2009 Influenza A virus infections and cross reactivity with seasonal H1N1 virus. Presented at Options IX for the control of influenza conference, Chicago, Illinois, USA held from 24th to 28th August 2016. (Best poster presentation at the symposium in the theme of Public Health)
  • HMTK KARUNARATHNA, JCC LAI, RAPM PERERA, HL YEN, BJ COWLING AND JSM PEIRIS (2016). Virus Like Particles (VLPs) expressing NA protein only as an antigen source for Enzyme Linked Lectin Assay (ELLA): Comparison with whole virus antigen. Presented at Options IX for the control of influenza conference, Chicago, Illinois, USA held from 24th to 28th August 2016.
  • JCC LAI, HMTK KARUNARATHNA, HH WONG, JSM PEIRIS, JM NICHOLLS (2016). Enzymatic activity of Influenza NA is influenced by HA-receptor binding. Presented at the TRS Symposium, The University of Hong Kong held in September 2016.
  • SEMPLE H. G., KARUNARATHNA HMTK, KOTTAWATTA KSA., SUBHASINGHE I, KALUPHANA A., NEVEL A. AND KALUPAHANA R.S. (2017). Cross sectional survey to find prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in Staphylococcus species from layer hens in the Kurunegala district of Sri Lanka. Presented at the INSPIRE National Intercalators’ Reserch Conference, Bristol, UK held in October 2017.
  • S.A.I.C. SUBHASINGHE, H.M.T.K KARUNARATHA, S.P. KODITHUWAKKU, H. M. H. N. BANDARA, R.S KALUPAHANA , K.S.A. KOTTAWATTA (2017). Studying antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of planktonic and biofilm associated Escherichia coli in poultry layer farms. Presented at the Annual Technical Session of World Poultry Science Association, Sri Lanka held in 2017. (Best scientific paper award – 2018).
  • S.A.I.C. SUBHASINGHE, H.M.T.K KARUNARATHA, R.S KALUPAHANA, S.ULUWATTA, K.S.A. KOTTAWATTA (2017). Prevalence of Salmonella, Campylobacter, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus spp and detection of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) associated with E. coli isolated from commercial poultry layer farms in Kurunegala district. Presented at the Annual Scientific Sessions of Sri Lanka Veterinary Association, Sri Lanka held in 2017.
  • H.C.GALLAGE, K.S.A.KOTTAWATTA, H.M.T.K.KARUNARATHNA, R.S.KALUPAHANA (2017). Preliminary study on methicillin resistant Staphylococcus (MRS) in commercial eggs collected from layer farms in Kurunegala district. Proceedings of the annual research sessions of the University of Peradeniya 2017. Presented at the Annual International Scientific Session of the University of Peradeniya (iPURSE) held on 24th November 2017 at Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
  • S.A.I.C. SUBHASINGHE, H.M.T.K KARUNARATHA, S.P. KODITHUWAKKU, H. M. H. N. BANDARA, R.S KALUPAHANA, K.S.A. KOTTAWATTA (2018). Profiling of antimicrobial resistance in E.coli associated with biofilm in layer chicken farms in Kurunegala district. Presented at the Annual Scientific Sessions of Sri Lanka Veterinary Association, Sri Lanka held in 2018.
  • S.A.I.C. Subhasinghe, H.M.T.K Karunarathna, S.P. Kodithuwakku, H. M. H. N. Bandara, R.S Kalupahana, K.S.A. Kottawatta (2018). Biofilm and planktonic cells of Escherichia coli and their antimicrobial resistance patterns. 11th Asia Pacific Poultry Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, 25 March 2018.
  • H.M.T.K KARUNARATHA, H. G. SEMPLE, S.A.I.C. SUBHASINGHE, A. KALUPAHANA, K.S.A.KOTTAWATTA, R.S.KALUPAHANA (2018). Detection of mec A gene in staphylococcus species isolated from poultry layer birds: high possibility of disseminating methicillin resistance determinant. Presented at the Annual Scientific Sessions of Sri Lanka Veterinary Association, Sri Lanka held in 2018.
  • Muhandiram, MRS, Munasinghe, SPCN, Kodithuwakku, SP, Karunarathna, HMTK, Siriweera, EH and Ratnayake, RMCJ. (2018).Awareness of Cervical Cancer and Screening Among a Sri Lankan Female Cohort; Knowledge and Practices on Risk Factors and Prevention. 51st Annual Scientific Congress, Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. SLJOG, Volume 40 .Supple.1 .23p . Oral Presentation
  • Muhandiram, MRS, Munasinghe, SPCN, Kodithuwakku, SP, Karunarathna, HMTK, Siriweera, EH and Ratnayake, RMCJ.(2018). Molecualr Detection of Human Papiloma Virus Prevalence CV - Dr. Suranga P. Kodithuwakku Page 17 of 32 and Related Cervical Dysplasia in Clinically Normal Female Cohort in Sri Lanka. 51st Annual Scientific Congress, Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. SLJOG, Volume 40 .Supple.1 .23p. Oral Presentation
  • Muhandiram, MRS, Weerasingha, BRGTK, Kodithuwakku, SP , Karunarathna, HMTK, Siriweera, EH, Ratnayake, RMCJ (2018). Cervical Cancer and Screening Awareness among a Sri Lankan Female Cohort: Knowledge and Practices on Risk Factors and Prevention. 51 st Annual Scientific Congress of Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. 11th and 12th August 2019. Colombo, Sri Lanka. Special Issue of Sri Lanka Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Vol 40.Supple1. 23p. Oral Presentation
  • S.T.H.K. Senanayake, K.S.A. Kottawatta, A. Salgadu, Dulanjee Harshani, R.S. Kaluaphana, H.M.T.K. Karunarathna (2019). Detection of Methicillin- Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Commercial Broilers in Kirindiwela Veterinary Division. Presented at the Annual Scientific Sessions of Sri Lanka Veterinary Association, Sri Lanka held in 2019. Oral Presentation
  • L.A.D.E.Weerasinghe, B.C.Nuwandi, W.D.M.Perera, K.G.R.Abayawansha, K.S.A.Kottawatta, R.S.K. Kalupahana, H.M.T.K. Karunarathna (2019). Detection of maternal antibody levels in layer day old chicks against chicken anemia virus. Presented at the Annual Scientific Sessions of Sri Lanka Veterinary Association, Sri Lanka in 2019. Oral Presentation
  • Gallage,H.C., Karunarathna, H.M.T.K., Harshani, D.,Premarathne, S., Kalupahana, R.S., Kottawatta, K.S.A., (2019). Oxacillin exposure lower than minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) may possibly activate the mec A gene in methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus spp: an in-vitro study. Proceedings of the Annual Scientific sessions of Sri Lanka Veterinary Association, Sri Lanka. pp- 54. Oral Presentation
  • N.G.R.N. Neelawala, D.B.N. Pushpakumara, H.M.T.K. Karunarathna, R.S. Kalupahana, K.S.A. Kottawatta (2019). Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Escherichia coli from Urban Wild Birds in Eastern Wildlife Health Region of Sri Lanka. Presented at the Annual Scientific sessions of Sri Lanka Veterinary Association, Sri Lanka in 2019. Oral Presentation
  • Suranimala, WMDH, Karunarathna, HMTK, Kottawatta, KSA, Kodithuwakku, SP, Muhandiram, MRS, Kalupahana, RS, Dilrukshi GN, Ratnayake, RMCJ (2019).Establishment of a Molecular Based Rapid Detection Method to Identify Group B Sreptococcus in Pregnant Women.52nd Annual Scientific Congress of Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. 9th and 10th August 2019. Colombo ,Sri Lanka . Special Issue of Sri Lanka Journal of Obstetrics and GynaecologyVol41.Supple1. 31p. Oral Presentation and Best Presentation in the Session.
  • Muhandiram M. R. S., Siriweera E. H, Karunarathna H. M. T. K, Kodithuwakku S. P, Ratnayake R. M. C. J. (2019) Self-Sampling Based Molecular Detection of High Risk Genotypes 0f Human Papillomavirus: a Pilot Study. 52nd Annual Scientific Congress of Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. 9th and 10th August 2019. Colombo, Sri Lanka . Special Issue of Sri Lanka Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Vol41.Supple1. 26p. Oral Presentation & The Best Presentation in the Session.
  • Muhandiram M. R. S., Siriweera E. H, Karunarathna H. M. T. K, Kodithuwakku S. P, Ratnayake R. M. C. J. (2019) . Molecular Detection of High-Risk Genotypes of Human Papillomavirus and Related Cervical Dysplasia among Sri Lankan Female Cohort. Annual Academic Session, The College of Pathologist in Sri Lanka.23rd and 24th August 2019, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 54p. Oral Presentation & The Best Presentation in the Session.
  • Gallage, H.C., Thilakarathna, D.S., Karunarathna, H.M.T.K., Kularathna, J.A.S.M., Weerasinghe, L.A.D.E., Kalupahana, R.S., Kottawatta, K.S.A. (2020). A Preliminary Study on Microbiological Quality of Fishmeal used for Formulation of Poultry Feed. Proceedings of the Annual Scientific sessions of Sri Lanka Veterinary Association, Sri Lanka. pp59. Oral Presentation
  • Gallage, H.C., Suranimala, W.M.D.H., Weerasinghe, L.A.D.E., Kalupahana, R.S. Karunarathna, H.M.T.K., Kottawatta, K.S.A. (2020). Molecular Detection and Confirmation of the Genus Salmonella by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Proceedings of the Annual Scientific sessions of Sri Lanka Veterinary Association, Sri Lanka.pp16. Oral Presentation.
  • Rasnayaka, R.M.T.A., Gallage, H. C., Suranimala, W.M.D.H., Thilakarathna,D.S., Karunarathna, H.M.T.K., Kottawatta, K.S.A. (2020). Comparison of Microbiological Quality of Table Eggs Collected from backyard and commercial Poultry. Proceedings of the Undergraduate Research Symposium of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, pp.10. Oral Presentation
  • Gallage, H.C., Weerasinghe, L. A. D.E., Samita, S., Kalupahana, R. S., Karunarathna, H. M. T. K., Kottawatta, K. S. A. (2021). Microbiological Quality Assessment of Poultry Broiler Feed And Their Major Raw Materials Collected From Commercial Feed Distributors In Kurunegala District. Proceedings of the Peradeniya University Research Sessions, Sri Lanka.pp.205. Oral Presentation
  • Gallage, H. C., Suranimala, W. M. D. H., Premaratne, W. A. S. M., Kalupahana, R. S., Karunarathna, H. M. T. K., Kottawatta, K. S. A. (2021). Application of PCR for Rapid and Confirmatory Detection of Common Food Borne Pathogens: Salmonella, Staphylococcus Aureus And E-Coli. Proceedings of the Peradeniya University Research Sessions, Sri Lanka. (21). Pp336. Oral Presentation
  • Gallage, H.C., Karunarathna, H.M.T.K., Premaratne, W.A.S.M., Kalupahana, R. S., Kottawatta, K.S.A. mecA gene based characterization and antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus spp recovered from commercial eggs collected from layer farms in Kurunegala District (2021). Proceedings of the Annual Scientific sessions of Sri Lanka Veterinary Association,Sri Lanka.pp24. Oral Presentation
  • Gallage, H. C., Weerasinghe, L. A. D. E., Samita, S., Kalupahana, R. S., Karunarathna, H.M.T.K., Kottawatta, K.S.A. Microbiological quality assessment of broiler feed along the feed distribution chain (2021). Proceedings of the Annual Scientific sessions of Sri Lanka Veterinary Association,Sri Lanka. Oral Presentation
  • Gallage, H.C., Karunarathna, H.M.T.K., L., Weerasinghe, L.A.D.E., Kalupahana, R.S., Kottawatta, K.S.A. (2022). Characterization of Salmonella spp in self-mixed chicken layer feed: Possible food safety risk through food chain contamination. Proceedings of the Young Scientists’ Conference on Multidisciplinary Research - 2022 10th November 2022, pp.31, ISSN 2815- 0260. Oral Presentation
  • S.A.I.C. Subhasinghe, A.B.S. Pabasara, P.M.H.M. Pathiraja, H.M.T.K. Karunarathna, R.S. Kalupahana, K.S.A. Kottawtta (2022). Antimicrobial usage and antimicrobial resistance profiles of fecal escherichia coli in chicken layer farms in selected veterinary divisions of north western province. SLVA 74 th Annual scientific sessions 2022, Sri Lanka. Oral Presentation
  • Mehnaz Qureshi, Alice Burman, Jean-Remy Sadeyen, Aysun Yilmaz, Jiayun Yang, Thusitha K Karunarathna, Joshua E. Sealy , James Stewart and Munir Iqbal (2023). Anti-influenza nanobodies (nAbs) as tools for identifying conserved epitopes on H5Nx haemagglutinin protein: presented at Global Alliance for Research on Avian Diseases (GARAD) conference, London United Kingdom, held from 22 nd to 24 th May 2023. Oral Presentation
  • Jiayun Yang, Rebecca Daines, Thusitha K Karunarathna, Mehnaz Qureshi, Jean-Remy Sadeyen and Munir Iqbal (2023). Assessment of the Haemagglutinin of the recent H5N1 Avian Influenza from Clade 2.3.4.4b. Presented at Global Alliance for Research on Avian Diseases (GARAD) conference, London United Kingdom, held from 22 nd to 24 th May 2023. Oral Presentation
  • Thusitha K Karunarathna, Sushant Bhat, Jean-Remy Sadeyen, Pengxiang Chang, Joshua E. Sealy, Mehnaz Qureshi and Munir Iqbal (2023). Investigating molecular markers influences the hemagglutination activity of the H9N2 avian influenza viruses: presented at World Veterinary Poultry Association scientific conference, Verona, Italy, held from 4 th to 8 th September 2023. Oral Presentation
  • Thusitha K. Karunarathna, Jean-Remy Sadeyen, Sushant Bhat, Pengxiang Chang, Jiayun Yang, Mehnaz Qureshi, Rebecca Daines, Joshua E. Sealy, and Munir Iqbal (2023). Avian Influenza H9N2: Immune escape mutant G149E lacks Haemagglutinin Activity. Presented at APHA’s Avian science day scientific conference, Animal & Plant Health Agency, Surrey, United Kingdom on 12 th October 2023. Oral Presentation
  • Jiayun Yang, Rebecca Daines, Jean-Remy Sadeyen, Thusitha Karunarathna, Mehnaz Qureshi, Joe James, Will Harvey, Samantha Lycett, Ashley C. Banyard, Marek Slomka, Ian H. Brown and Munir Iqbal (2024). Emergence and fitness of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b viruses currently infecting poultry, wild birds, mammals, and humans. Presented at the Pandemic Science meeting at University of Oxford, United Kingdom held from 1 st and 2 nd of July 2024. Oral presentation.
  • Thusitha K. Karunarathna, Jean-Remy Sadeyen, Sushant Bhat, Pengxiang Chang, Jiayun Yang, Mehnaz Qureshi, Rebecca Daines and Munir Iqbal(2024). H9N2 avian Influenza virus: Emergence of immune escape mutant with no haemagglutinin activity. Presented at the UKRI-GCRF one health poultry hub final hub meeting at New Delhi, India health from 7 th to 9 th February 2024. Poster presentation.
  • N.W.H.C.R. Nanayakkara, A.B.S. Pabasara, S.A.J.N. Subhasinghe, W.M.D.H. Suranimala, N.D. Wimalarathna, K.S.A. Kottawatta, R.S. Kalupahana and H.M.T.K. Karunarathna (2024). Establishment of a multiplex PCR to detect E.coli O157:H7: Presented at SLVA 76 th Annual scientific sessions 2024, Sri Lanka. Oral Presentation.
  • Thusitha K Karunarathna, Jean-Remy Sadeyen, J. Yang, Sushant Bhat, Pengxiang Chang, Joshua E. Sealy, Mehnaz Qureshi and Munir Iqbal (2024). Investigating molecular markers influences the hemagglutination activity of the H9N2 avian influenza viruses: Presented at SLVA 76 th Annual scientific sessions 2024, Sri Lanka. Oral Presentation & The Best Presentation in the Session.