JAYENI CHATHURIKA AMARATHUNGA HITI-BANDARALAGE
Brisbane,QLD
Summary
Plant Biotechnologist with extensive expertise in plant tissue culture, microbiology, and breeding, demonstrating a strong impact on the field through 25 publications and 22 international presentations. As the founder of three successful plant biotechnology firms, has driven R&D innovations within the horticulture sector while teaching entrepreneurship as a visiting lecturer. A visionary leader adept at strategic planning and team building, fostering operational efficiency to achieve business objectives. Proven ability to convert challenges into opportunities, significantly enhancing company growth and profitability.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
CEO
STC Link Pty Ltd
Brisbane, Australia
01.2025 - Current
- Lead tissue culture production team to meet annual plant supply targets (6 plant species).
- Recruited, trained, mentored, and managed employees at all levels within the organization.
- Exceeded sales goals through upselling and cross-selling within existing client base as well as strategically attracting new business.
- Assessed financial performance of the organization on a regular basis and identified areas for improvement.
- Led strategic planning and execution to enhance profitability and company growth.
- Overseen the daily operations of the organization and ensured compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Spearheaded internal initiatives designed to foster collaboration among staff members.
Co-founder, Director & Chief Scientist
J&S Plant Biotech Pty. Ltd
Brisbane, Queensland
01.2023 - Current
- Collaborated with company partners to develop and actualize strategic plans to advance company's mission and objectives and promote revenue, profitability and growth.
- Conducted market research to assess potential opportunities for new products or services.
- Oversaw technological improvements, successfully reducing waste and eliminating business bottlenecks.
- Drafted strategic plans for launching new products or services into the marketplace.
- Fostered collaboration and development of new practices by business leaders.
- Developed long-range plans for business growth, resulting in increase in annual sales.
- Directed company-wide efforts towards achieving established goals and objectives.
Founder, Director R&D
STC Biotech Pvt. Ltd
Colombo, Sri Lanka
07.2019 - Current
- Directed R&D involving 35 plant species.
- Managed Australian and Sri Lankan clients for business development.
- Monitored and analyzed performance metrics to inform strategic pivots and drive continuous improvement.
Visiting Lecturer on Entrepreneurship
University of Colombo
Colombo
01.2023 - Current
- Supervised and mentored students on research projects, guiding them through research methodology and academic writing best practices.
- Developed lectures to accommodate for different learning styles, maximizing students' comprehension.
- Delivered course lectures using modern technology to enhance student comprehension.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation
Brisbane, Australia
07.2019 - 06.2023
- Lead researcher for commercial micropropagation technology and plant improvement innovations in avocado, Duboisia, and Cannabis.
- Research commercialization, translation, and training lead for the Mitter team.
- The technical lead for the Mitter Team four postdoctoral fellows, two research assistants, and five students focused on micropropagation, cryopreservation, genetic engineering, and indoor farming of a variety of horticultural crops, including avocado, Duboisia, cannabis, cacao, turmeric, saffron, Gossia, macadamia spp., ginger, lemon myrtle, and saffron.
- Field evaluation of plants, administration, research supervision, reporting, industry/research partner liaison, EOI for contract research funding, and grant writing.
- Principal supervisor for course work of 5 master students for completion. Co-supervised Honours (5), Masters (7), and 1 PhD student degree program, and current supervision of 1 honours, 2 masters, and 1 PhD student.
- Consultation and engagements in TC laboratory planning and development for QAAFI, UQ, Asterion (Cannabis), and Anderson Horticulture (Avocado).
Key highlights
World's first meristem culture-based TC technology for five avocado rootstocks commercialized.
- Strategy development and rollout for trade secret TC avocado technology for commercialization.
- World's first meristem technology developed for three Duboisia species.
- Commercial high-throughput TC technology developed for Cannabis sativa.
- Co-development of the world’s first cryobiotechnology for avocado rootstocks.
- Co-development of the world’s first protoplast regeneration platform from Duboisia leaf tissues.
- Plan and design of the QAAFI-UQ state-of-the-art semi-commercial TC facility.
Research Assistant
The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation
Brisbane, Australia
01.2018 - 07.2019
- Expanded micropropagation technology for multiple avocado cultivars, duboisia and cannabis.
- Directed Mitter Avocado Team in commercial protocol development and technology commercialization.
- Engaged in the development of TC laboratories.
- Collaborated with other researchers in developing study designs, methods, and tools for data collection.
- Prepared comprehensive reports summarizing research findings.
- Presented findings at professional conferences or seminars as required by faculty supervisors.
PhD - Scholar
The Univeristy of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation
Brisbane, Australia
01.2015 - 06.2018
- Created the first commercially viable, high throughput stem cell-based tissue culture propagation system for avocado.
- Developed proficiency in academic writing, including essays and research papers.
- Achieved academic honors and awards, recognizing exceptional performance.
- Assisted in developing grant proposals to secure external funding for research initiatives.
Research Assistant
The Univeristy of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation
Brisbane, Australia
02.2014 - 12.2015
- Created system for effective clonal propagation of avocado using nodal culture.
- Conducted primary and secondary research to identify relevant information for project development.
- Prepared comprehensive reports summarizing research findings.
Factory Manager Cum Microbiologist
Seri Naturals Pvt. Ltd, George Steuart Group of Companies
Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Participated in design and construction phases of factory setup.
- Enhanced microbiology lab to meet SLS standards.
- Spearheaded production, microbiology, machine operations and maintenance divisions.
- Scheduled and managed production activities to achieve set goals.
- Drove initiative for company to meet ISO 9001 standards.
- Delivered training to staff involved in promotions and sales.
- Conducted promotional campaigns across various media platforms.
Development Scientist
Mega Dynamics Pvt. Ltd
Nawala, Sri Lanka
07.2010 - 12.2011
- Established a tissue culture facility to propagate banana, pineapple, and ornamental plants.
- Created IP for protocols for five Sri Lankan banana nd 2 pineapple cultivars.
- Conducted training sessions for onboarding staff.
- Streamlined production schedules.
Assistant Lecturer
The University of Colombo, Department of Plant Sciences
Brisbane, Sri Lanka
07.2009 - 06.2010
- Instructed undergraduate courses for second and third-year students.
- Designed practical session experiments for Plant Biotechnology undergraduate courses.
- Reviewed student submissions of essays, projects and reports for accuracy, clarity and coherence.
- Assisted with course administration tasks including scheduling classes, creating syllabi and managing online course materials.
- Collaborated with faculty members in curriculum development and revision processes to ensure course content remains current and relevant.
- Developed and delivered lectures on research methodology, scientific writing and literature review to undergraduate students.
- Conducted regular assessment of student performance through assignments, tests, and examinations to monitor progress and provide timely feedback.
Education
Foundation of Directorship -
Australian Institute For Company Directors
01.2024
PhD in Plant Biotechnology - Developing World’s First Meristem Based Commercial Tissue Culture Platform For Avocado
The University of Queensland
Australia06.2019
BSc - Biotechnology (Hons Class I)
University of Colombo
Sri Lanka01.2009
Skills
- Strategic leadership
- Strategic planning
- Collaboration skills
- Employee training
- Regulatory compliance
- Operational excellence
- Project management
- Advanced Skills, Plant Tissue Culture, Innovation
- Advanced Skills in Protoplast Technology
- Advanced Skills in Cryopreservation
- Advanced Skills in Plant Biotechnology
- Advanced Skills in Plant Biotechnology
PROFFESSIONAL SERVICE AND OUTREACH
Ongoing
1. From 2024 - Associate editor, Editorial Board, European Journal of Horticultural Science (eJHS)
2. From 2023 - Australian Research Council (ARC) detailed Accessor
3. From 2023 - WIT Mentor
4. From 2022 - Guest editor, Plants Journal special issue ‘Advances and Applications in Plant Tissue Culture’
2024
5. Australian Vanilla Industry Association funding team member
6. Member of the inaugural team towards forming Industry body for Australian Vanilla
2023
7. Australian Research Council(ARC) detailed Accessor
8. Member for round table discussion on “Modernizing Research Assessment in Australia” held by The Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA)
9. Reviewer - Colombian Journal of Horticultural Sciences
2022
10. Member Scientific committee, In vitro technology and micropropagation symposium ISHS 31st Horticulture Congress, France.
11. Session Chair/Organiser symposium ‘Manufacturing plants – Key for sustainable supply chain’, Tropical Agriculture International conference, November 2022, Brisbane, Australia
12. Judge, Poster presentations, Tropical Agriculture International conference, November 2022, Brisbane, Australia
13. Reviewer (Ongoing) – Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC), Journal of Plant Biotechnology
2021
14. ScolarX 2021 Mentor for 10 students.
15. Organising team member and presenter of ‘Avocado Tissue Culture - Industry Update’ Workshop, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, June 2021
2019
16. Organizer, ‘Tissue culture for propagation, conservation and crop improvement’ symposium, Tropical Agriculture International Conference 2019 - Brisbane, Australia.
17. Organising team member, Cryopreservation Workshop – QAAFI, UQ, Australia.
18. Reviewer (ongoing) – Science Square, USA
19. Reviewer (ongoing) – MDPI journals (The Plant)
20. Steering committee member – BLiSS 2019 conference - Brisbane, Australia.
21. Judge, Smart Technology Session, BLiSS 2019 conference – Brisbane, Australia.
22. Session chair, Cross Disciplinary Session, BLiSS 2019 conference – Brisbane, Australia.
23. Member, Researchers in Agriculture for International Development (RAID) network – Crawford Fund, Australia
24. Invited guest from RAID Network, Biosecurity champions from Pacific event in Australia for Pacific Plant Biosecurity Partnership – Brisbane, Australia.
25. Invited researcher, inspire youth for STEM - Yeronga State School, Brisbane.
2019-ongoing
26. Reviewer – MDPI journals, Scientia horticulurae
2017-ongoing
27. Reviewer - Scientific Research Publishing, Academic Publisher SCIRP: https://www.scirp.org, USA
2017-ongoing
28. Reviewer – ACTA horticulturae journal, International Society for Horticultural Science
2007
29. Chair/Main organizer, Batch Queen Contest, Freshers Night for Batch of 2006, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
2004
30. President of the Photographic Art Society in organising the all island photographic competition ‘Videsa 5’ – Anula Vidyalaya, Sri Lanka.
Consultancy
Lab design and development
2021-2023
· STEM lab design, Southern Cross Grammar, Victoria, Australia
https://qaafi.uq.edu.au/article/2023/04/pink-lighting-way-future-stem
2019
· Cannabis tissue culture facility design and development, Asterion, Canada.
· Avocado tissue culture facility design and development, Anderson Horticulture, NSW, Australia.
· Tissue culture facility design, Long Pocket Elkhorn Building, QAAFI, University of Queensland, Australia.
2018
· Tissue culture lab design, STC Biotech PVT, LTD, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
2011
· Microbiology laboratory design and establishment, Seri Naturals PVT. LTD, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Research and development
2025
· Project planning consultation, Regen AgTeck, Australia
· Tissue culture R&D consultation, Composol SA, Peru
2024-Ongoing
· Gene editing R&D, Meristem, Chile
· Tissue culture R&D consultant, Vivero Casas Ltda, Clile
2023-Ongoing
· Tissue culture R&D consultant, Anderson horticulture, NWS, Australia
· Tissue culture R&D consultant, Seven Star Fruit, India
2023 - 2024
· Tissue culture R&D consultant, Micropradox, USA
2022-2023
· Tissue culture R&D consultant, Viveros Vitromole, Chile
2022-Ongoing
· Tissue culture and plant improvement R&D consultant for Jagro Pvt. Ltd, Sri Lanka and Rwanda
MEDIA/PUBLIC EXPOSURE
2023
Story on The land – Lifetime of expertise in horticulture helps bridge trade between Australia and China
https://www.theland.com.au/story/8078864/avocado-diplomacy-wins-where-trade-talks-fail/
STEM lab design, Southern Cross Grammar, Victoria, Australia https://qaafi.uq.edu.au/article/2023/04/pink-lighting-way-future-stem
2022
Avocado Tissue culture commercialisation media release https://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2022/11/smashing-avocado-know-how
Featured article in the inaugural e-newsletter, Department of Plant Science, University of Colombo “ “Inspirational Dialogues” https://www.flipbookpdf.net/web/site/c1fe67298b1fbcdc457728f0058675afb90bb2ec202202.pdf.html
2021
The Brilliant, Case study on 34 Australian inventions changing your life right now 2021 – Featured “REVOLUTIONISING AVOCADO PRODUCTION WORLDWIDE” https://thebrilliant.com.au/case-studies/34-australian-inventions-changing-your-life-right-now/
Queensland science makes the avocado production bottleneck toast: UQ media release, ABC News Online, ABC Radio Brisbane, Good Fruit & Vegetables, ABC Radio Brisbane, WIN News, ABC Radio Darwin, Queensland Country Life, ABC Radio Darwin, Darwin, Country Hour (NT), ABC Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, ABC Capricornia, Rockhampton, 06:30 News, ABC Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Rural Report, ABC Coffs Coast, Coffs Harbour, Rural Report, ABC Wide Bay, Bundaberg, Rural Report, ABC North Coast NSW, Lismore, ABC Pilbara, Karratha, Rural Report, 2SER 107.3FM (Sydney)
https://qaafi.uq.edu.au/article/2021/06/queensland-science-makes-avocado-production-bottleneck-toast
https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2021-06-07/innovation-smashes-avocado-wait-times/100184924
https://www.goodfruitandvegetables.com.au/story/7285786/tissue-culture-avos-speed-up-production/
2020
Featured in freshplaza article at the 10th Maluma symposium https://www.freshplaza.com/article/9199509/
2019
Money tree: Feeding Australia’s avocado obsession on ABC Landline aired on 21st September 2019 https://www.abc.net.au/landline/money-tree:-feeding-australias-avocado-obsession/11536042
Finalist promotion Brisbane Women in STEM competition, (https://www.thinkable.org/submission_entries/y9Q2ReqY)
2017
Appearance in QAAFI video for YouTube and other public platforms. Featured in QAAFI, CHS website and QAAFI annual report.
Featured article in Campus Travel website for finalist Campus Travel Virgin Australia Woman in STEM Travel Grant 2017. (https://www.campustravel.com.au/news/industry/avocado-research-set-smash-global-shortage)
Featured article for Crawford fund scholar winner 2017 on Crawford fund website. (https://www.crawfordfund.org/news/news-micropropagation-is-the-future-of-clonal-propagation-of-avocado-tropag-november-2017/)
Featured in ABC Catalyst Documentary on 14th August - Avocado stem cell culture.
Articles on Avocado tissue culture story in national and international media - New York Post, The United Kingdom news website, ABC news rural, Sunneybank Hills News, The Courier Mail Australia, Brisbane Times, Daily mail Australia, The Source News, New Food magazine, PHYS ORG news, Fresh fruit portal
The Australian Farmer and etc.
2016
Featured article in ISHS website for Student award winner 2016.
(http://www.ishs.org/news/temporal-profile-juvenility-associated-micrornas-during-tissue-culture-avocado-jayeni)
2015
Media coverage on avocado story – QAAFI and UQ internal media.
Affiliations
1. Queensland Chief Entrepreneur’s travel grant to attend EvokeAg 2024, WA, Australia (5K, 2024)
2. AgriFutures emerging industry grant - Innovative propagation technologies for new and emerging horticultural crops, Red Bayberry and Pomegranate (100K, 2023-2024) for J&S plant Biotech Pty. Ltd – Total project value of $330,500
3. AgriFutures emerging industries capacity building travel grant (5K, 2023-2024)
4. Advance Queensland Travel bursary 2023 to attend Tropical Innovation Festival, Cairns, Australia.
5. Agrifutures travel bursary to attend Carbon Conversation meeting 2023, Canberra, Australia (1K, 2023)
6. Chief Investigator – Kick starter grant Transforming propagation in Australia's custard apple industry (AUD 27K, 2023-2024)
7. Chief Investigator – ARC linkage grant Cryobiotechnology innovations to help fight the Myrtle rust pandemic (AUD 1.2M 2023-2027)
8. Chief Investigator - Development of Duboisia in Australia for enhanced alkaloid production (AUD 90K, 2021-2022)
9. Tissue Cultured Avocado for Costas Trial (2021–2023)
10. UQ stimulus Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
11. Chief Investigator - Development of Duboisia in Australia for enhanced alkaloid production (AUD 75K, 2020-2021)
12. Chief Investigator - Development of Duboisia in Australia for enhanced alkaloid production (AUD 75K, 2019-2020)
13. Brisbane Life Science Early Career Researcher’s travel grant – Brisbane Life Sciences ECR Symposium, Australia.
14. The Crawford Fund scholarship – The Crawford Fund, Australia.
15. Australian Postgraduate Award - UQ, Australia.
16. International Summer School Scholarship - Southern Cross University, Australia.
17. Mahapola University Grant -University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Accomplishments
1. UniQuest Commercialisation Award 2024 for Avocado TC commercialisation in South America
2. Award of an AgriFutures Australia sponsored position in the AICD – Foundation of DirectorshipTM 2024
3. Winner Outstanding Advisor Award, 2020 Excellence Awards – QAAFI, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
4. Runner Up Rising Star Award, 2020 Excellence Awards – QAAFI, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
5. Winner UQ Partners in Research Excellence Award, Building Better Bio economies, Avocado Tissue culture; From Lab to orchard – University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
6. Finalist (6/58) Queensland Women in STEM award 2019, only finalist from University of Queensland – Brisbane, Australia.
7. Best Poster Award at annual research meeting – QAAFI, University of Queensland, Australia.
8. Runner-up Student Scientific Competition – The 5th International Conference of the IUFRO Working Party, Portugal.
9. Discovery and Innovation Award - Annual awards QAAFI, University of Queensland, Australia.
10. Best Oral Presenter Award - Brisbane Life Science Early Career Research Symposium, Australia.
11. OnPrime Pre-Accelerator Program Team Award ($5K) - CSIRO, Australia.
12. Finalist Campus Travel Virgin Australia Woman in STEM Travel Grant – Virgin Australia.
13. Student Award - International Symposium on Vegetative Propagation and In vitro Culture of Tropical Plants, International Society for Horticultural Science.
14. Dr. Swarna Senathirajah Memorial Gold Medal for Genetics and Plant Breeding for outstanding achievement of the batch 2009 - University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
15. The Sir Nigel Ball Award for Plant Sciences (Agro biotechnology and Biochemistry) for outstanding academic achievement of the batch 2009 - University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
16. Student photographer of the year bronze medal – All Island student photography completion, Royal College, Sri Lanka.
17. The Most Outstanding Student of the Year Bronze Medal in recognition of academic and extracurricular achievements - Anula Vidyalaya, Sri Lanka.
Languages
English
Full Professional
Sinhala
Native/ Bilingual
Hindi
Limited
Professional Menberships
International Plant Propagator Society Inc
Sri Lankan Agriprenures Forum member
Women in Technology (WiT) Member
International Society for Horticultural Science
International Association for Plant Biotechnology
PROFFESIONAL WORKSHOPS
2024
1. Ginger grower update and workshop
2. Participation at EvokeAg 2024, Western Australia
2023
3. Attendance to tropical innovation festival
4. AgriFuture’s carbon conservation workshop and meeting, Canberra & Brisbane
2022
5. Entrepreneurship workshop by Queensland Chief Entrepreneur
6. Australian Indoor Farming Workshop, Brisbane, Australia
7. LI-COR photosynthesis workshop
2021
8. Avocado information session ‘Growers day’
2019
9. Session Chairs Training Workshop – Brisbane Life Sciences Symposium (BLiSS) 2019 symposium
10. Plant Cryobiotechnology Workshop – University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
11. Communications skills workshop, Econnect communication, 2019 Queensland Women in STEM prize
2017
12. In vitro Plant Culture Workshop – International Symposium on Vegetative Propagation and In vitro Culture of Tropical Plants, International Society for Horticultural Science, Cairns, Australia.
13. UniQuest Commercialisation Workshop – UQ, Australia.
14. Presentation Skills Workshop – Brisbane Life Sciences Symposium (BLiSS), Australia.
2009
15. Industrial Management Training Internship Placement (3 months) – Serendib Horticulture Pvt. Ltd, Kalagedihena, Sri Lanka.
16. Industrial Management Training Internship Placement (3 months) – Mike Biotch Pvt. Ltd, Nawala, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
CEO
STC Link Pty Ltd
01.2025 - Current
Visiting Lecturer on Entrepreneurship
University of Colombo
01.2023 - Current
Co-founder, Director & Chief Scientist
J&S Plant Biotech Pty. Ltd
01.2023 - Current
Founder, Director R&D
STC Biotech Pvt. Ltd
07.2019 - Current
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation
07.2019 - 06.2023
Research Assistant
The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation
01.2018 - 07.2019
PhD - Scholar
The Univeristy of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation
01.2015 - 06.2018
Research Assistant
The Univeristy of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation
02.2014 - 12.2015
Factory Manager Cum Microbiologist
Seri Naturals Pvt. Ltd, George Steuart Group of Companies
01.2011 - 01.2013
Development Scientist
Mega Dynamics Pvt. Ltd
07.2010 - 12.2011
Assistant Lecturer
The University of Colombo, Department of Plant Sciences
07.2009 - 06.2010
Foundation of Directorship -
Australian Institute For Company Directors
PhD in Plant Biotechnology - Developing World’s First Meristem Based Commercial Tissue Culture Platform For Avocado
The University of Queensland
BSc - Biotechnology (Hons Class I)
University of Colombo
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