Ph.D. in Science (2016)

Thesis Title : The role of LEUNIG_HOMOLOG in regulating mucilage release from the Arabidopsis testa
Department of Genetics,University of Melbourne, Australia

M.Sc. Biotechnology (2008)
Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
FGPA 4.00

B.Sc. Agriculture (2006)
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya.
First Class Honors
FGPA 3. 86
Majoring module : Agricultural Biology

Subcommittees of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya
-Secretary/ Ethical Clearance Committee – 2020-2023
-Secretary/ Teaching Methodologies Unit -2022
-Asst. Secretary/Curriculum Development Committee -2019, 2020
-Secretary/Student Advisory and welfare committee - 2019
-Secretary/Publications and Public Relations Committee -2017
-Secretary/Language Teaching Committee -2017, 2009-2010

CONTRIBUTION - NATIONAL,  HIGHER EDUCATION TEACHING PROGRAMS  

National Level
Member in the Syllabus Development Committee for four year B.Ed. (Hons) degrees in Technology at National College of Education in Technology (NCoET), Sri Lanka.2020.
Resource person for the project “Integrating Biosafety into the education in Sri Lanka, project” implementation of the National Biosafety Framework in accoradance with the Cartagena Protocol in Biosafety. This project is implemented by the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment through the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.2019-2022.
Other institutes
Appointment of Second Examiner_ B.Sc (Special) Degree in Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
Appointment as an Oral Examiner _Oral examination of M.Sc. in Experimental Biotechnology, Postgraduate Institute of Science.
Evaluation panel member of 10th Annual Research Symposium -2018, Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University.
Memberships
Alumni of the Melbourne University Genetics Postgraduate Society
Member of Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka
Member of the Alumni Association of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya
Committee member of the Alumni Association of the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya
Alumni of Human Genetics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo.

ACADEMIC DISTINCTIONS  &  AWARDS

Fellowships
United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC)  and the ICGEB, EMPOWER Fellowship 2021 (New Delhi, India).
Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship Program 2020 (Michigan, USA).
Medals
Golden Jubilee Gold Medal for the most out standing performance in the coreprogram of the B.Sc. Agriculture curriculum. Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (10/12/2006).
Dr. J W L Peiris Gold Medal in Agriculture Biology. Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (10/12/2006).
Gold Medal for the Best performer in the subject Principles of Agribusiness Management. Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (10/12/2006).
Gold Medal for the most outstanding performance in Agricultural Economics and Business Management. Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (10/12/2006).
Awards/Prizes
The Genetics Research Award–Department of Genetics, University of Melbourne (2012).
Dr. A.W.R. Joachim Memorial Prize for obtaining the Highest GPA in the year 2008 at the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, Sri Lanka. (11/20/2009).
The Upali Ekanayake Memorial Prize for obtaining the highest marks in allcourses offered in Entomology. Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya(02/10/2006)
The E M R B Ekanayake Memorial Prize for the best overall performance atthe final Examination in Agriculture. Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (10/12/2006).
Scholarships
The International Postgraduate Research Scholarship and Australian Postgraduate Award- University of Melbourne (2011).
The Kundanmal scholarship for meritorious performance at the 2000 series examination in Agriculture. (01/18/2005).
The C de S W Siriwardena Scholarship for the best performance at the 3100 examination. (05/12/2005).
The R R Appadurai Memorial Scholarship awarded on the performance at the examinations held during the core program in Agriculture. (02/10/2006).
Appointments
Senior Lecturer Grade I, Department of Agric. Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
Head of the Department, Department of Agricultural Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya.
Secretary of the Board of study in Agricultural Biology, Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (2019-2021).
Member of the Board of Study in Agricultural Biology, Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (16.11.2019 -15.01.2022).
Member of the Board of Study in Plant Protection, Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (16.11.2019 -15.01.2022).
Member of the teaching panel of the Board of Study in Agricultural Biology, Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (2017 - to date).
Member of the teaching panel of the Board of Study in Plant Protection, Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (2017 - to date).
Secretary Ethical Clearance Committee, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya- 2020-2022.
Asst. Secretary, Faculty of Agriculture Teacher’s Association 2018-2020.

Selected Publications
JOURNAL PAPERS
Research papers published in peer reviewed indexed international journals
 
Tharanya Sugumar, Danushka S. Weerasekera, Kithsiri B. Ranawana & Nadeeka U. Jayawardana (2022) Characterization of mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene of yellow-striped chevrotain (Moschiola kathygre) and white-spotted chevrotain (Moschiola meminna) and development of a PCR-RFLP marker for the unambiguous identification of the species, Animal Biotechnology, DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2022.2070183
Munaweera K., Jayawardana N.U., Rathiverni R.,Dissanayke D.M.M.N.2022. Modern plant biotechnology as a strategy in addressing climate change and food security. Journal of Agriculture & Food Security. Accepted for publication.
Senevirathna K., Jayawardana N.U., Jayasinghe R.D., Seneviratne B., Perera A.G.U. 2021. Diagnostic Value of FTIR Spectroscopy, Metabolomic Screening and Molecular Genetics in Saliva for Early Detection of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC). Med Clin Res; 6: 435-54
John F. Golz, Patrick J. Allen, Song F. Li, Roger W. Parish, Nadeeka U. Jayawardana, Tony Bacic, Monika S. Doblin. 2018. Layers of regulation – insights into the role of transcription factors controlling mucilage production and flavonoid biosynthesis in the Arabidopsis seed coat. Plant Science; 272, pp 179-192.
Research papers published in peer reviewed local journals
Senevirathna, K., Jayawardana, N.U., Chandrika, U.G., Jayasinghe, R.D., Perera, A.G.U. and Seneviratne, B., 2021. Metabolomics: a promising diagnostic tool for oral cavity cancer. Journal of Diagnostic Pathology, 16(2), pp.11–17. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/jdp.v16i2.7764
Begum, S.L.R. and Jayawardana, N.U., 2021. A Review of Nanotechnology as a Novel Method of Gene Transfer in Plants. Journal of Agricultural Sciences – Sri Lanka, 16(2), pp.300–316. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/jas.v16i2.9336
K.H. Rajapaksha, H.A.M Wickramasinghe, J.M.R.S Bandara, N.U. Jayawardana,  D.M.A.N Senavirathne, T.C Bamunuarachchige., 2007.   Comparative structure modelling of metal regulatory transcriptional factor; MTF – 1.  Tropical Agricultural Research. Vol 19 : 52-58.
BOOK CHAPTERS, BOOKS & MONOGRAPHS
K.I.S. Thamali, N. U. Jayawardana (2022).  Current Status and Prospects of Improving the BioSafety Framework of the South Asian Region. Young Scientists Forum e-book; Environment sustenance and food safety: Accepted for publication.
Danushka S. Weerasekera, N. U. Jayawardana, K. B. Ranawana (2019). Antler Development in Sambar Deer. ISBN978-955-7695-09-9.
Journals served as an editor

Editor/Reviewer- Integrated Research Journals, from August 2015
CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
Research papers presented and abstract published in academic symposia, professional bodies at international level

Oral Presentations:
 
David D. R., Jayawardana N. U., Doblin M. S., Bacic A. and Golz J. F., 2017. MADS box transcription factors SHATTERPROOF1/2 – new players in Arabidopsis seed coat pectin modification. Plant Biology, Honalulu, Hawaii.

Poster Presentations:
 
Herath M., David D. R., Jayawardana N. U., Doblin M.S., Bacic A. and Golz J.,2019. The role of LEUNIG_HOMOLOG and MADS-box transcription factors in seed mucilage extrusion in Arabidopsis. Annual conference. Genetic Society of AustralAsia.Melbourne.
 
Nadeeka Jayawardana, Monika Doblin, Antony Bacic, John Golz., 2014. The role of LEUNIG_HOMOLOG in regulating mucilage release from the Arabidopsis Testa. International Arabidopsis Conference (ICAR),Vancouver, Canada.
 
Nadeeka Jayawardana, Monika Doblin, Tony Bacic, John Golz., 2014. The role of LEUNIG_HOMOLOG in regulating mucilage release from the Arabidopsis seed coat. 5th international conference on Plant Cell Wall Biology. Palm Cove, Queensland, Australia.
 
Nadeeka U. Jayawardana, Murray Walker, Muhammed Tehseen , Monika S. Doblin, Antony Bacic and John F. Golz, 2012. The role of LEUNIG_HOMOLOG in regulating mucilage release from the Arabidopsis testa. Annual conference. Genetic Society of AustralAsia.Melbourne.
 
Rajapaksha K.H, Bandara J.M.R.S, Bamunuarachchige T.C, Jayawardana N.U., 2008. Simulation of chronic renal failure among farm families in cascade irrigation systems in Sri Lanka associated with elevated dietary cadmium levels.International Symposium of Integrative Bioinformatics. 5 th Annual meeting. Leucorea. Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Germany.

Key Research papers presented and abstract published in academic symposia, professional bodies at national level

Oral Presentations:
 
Senevirathna, K., Jayawardana, N.U., Chandrika, U.G., Jayasinghe, R.D., Perera A.G.U, Seneviratne, B. 2021.Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and, metabolomic screening with gene expression profiling of saliva for early detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). International Conference on Health Sciences-2021, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayawardenepura.
 
D.M.M.N. Dissanayake, N.U. Jayawardana, J.P Easwara. 2021. Development of a tissue culture protocol for direct and indirect regeneration of traditional rice varieties in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the National Conference on Multidisciplinary Research (NCMR), National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Sri Lanka.
 
S. Tharanya, L.D.U.T. Gunawardhana, N.U. Jayawardana, 2020. Assessing the allelic diversity of OsNrAMP5 among traditional Sri Lankan rice varieties by in silico analysis. Proceedings of the National Conference on Multidisciplinary Research (NCMR), National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Sri Lanka.
R.H.T.D. Ranasinghe, R.M.G.A. Bandara, S.M.N.B. Kumari and N.U. Jayawardana, 2020. Determination of the Effect of Lead (Pb) on the Germination and Early Vegetative Development of Selected Traditional and Improved Rice Varieties in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the International Research Conference, UwaWellasa University, Sri Lanka.
 
W.A.G.I.S. Weerakkodi, S.R.W.M.C.J.K. Ranawana and N.U. Jayawardana, 2020. Amelioration of Cadmium (Cd) Stress in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) by using Soil Amendments and Floating Aquatic Plants. Proceedings of the International Research Conference, UwaWellasa University, Sri Lanka.
 
Tharanya S. Weerasekera D.S. Ranawana K.B. Jayawardana N.U., 2019. Characterization of Mitochondrial 12 S rRNA gene of Yellow Striped Chevrotain (Moschiola kathygre) and Development of a PCR-RFLP Marker for the unambiguous Species Identification. Abstract of papers, Proceedings of the International forestry and environment symposium, Negombo, Sri Lanka, volume 24, 53. Adjudicated as the best poster presentation of the conference.
 
Weerasekera, D.S., Jayawardana, N.U., Perera, S.J., Ranawana, K.B., 2019. Evaluation of estimating age of sambar deer (Rusa unicolor unicolor) in Sri Lanka by mandibular and maxillary teeth. 1st International conference on Biodiversity and Environmental Management (BEM 2019).
 
S.N. Gunawardhana, N.U. Jayawardhana, S.R.W.M.C.J.K. Ranawana, 2019. Determination of Cadmium Accumulation and Consequent Responses of Four Different Rice Varieties in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the International Research Conference, UwaWellasa University, Sri Lanka.
 
D.M.N.P. Dissanayake, N.U. Jayawardana and L.S. Nawarathna, 2017. Detection of Novel Mucilage Modifying Genes in Arabidopsis thaliana Seed Coat Using LASSO modeling. Proceedings of the Peradeniya University International Research Sessions, Sri Lanka, Vol 21.
 
N.U. Jayawardana, T. N.W. Rathnayake, R.W.M.V.W.N.C. Karunatilleke, V.N.
Jayawickrama, J.M.N.H. Jayasundara and H.A.M. Wickramasinghe, 2010.Extra cellular expression patterns of two Aspergillus oryzae strains in different culture conditions. Peradeniya University Research Sessions. Vol 16.
 
G.C. Gammulla, N. Jayawardana, P.H.R. Mallawaarachchi,V.H.W. Dissanayake, R.W. Jayasekara, 2006. Prevalence of thrombophilic geneticvariants in Sinhalese women with recurrent pregnancy loss: Preliminaryresults. Srilanka journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Vol 28: 53-54.

Poster Presentations:
 
Weerasekera D.S., Jayawardana N.U., Perera, S.J., Ranawana K.B. 2019. Visual techniques for the determination of age and sex of sambar deer (Rusa Unicolor unicolor) in Horton plains National park, Sri Lanka. Abstract of papers, Proceedings of the International forestry and environment symposium, Negombo, Sri Lanka, volume 24, 143. Adjudicated as the best poster presentation of the conference.