Menuja Wijewickrama
Summary
An aspiring scientist with a strong background in pharmacology, cancer biology, toxicology and microbiology. Seeking a challenging position to apply my academic background, research skills, and passion for contributing to advancements in drug development research.
Overview
2
2
years of professional experience
Work History
Intern
National Aquatic Resources Research And Developmen
01.2016
- Conducting in vitro and in vivo (zebra fish) toxicological assays
- Conducting microbiological screening (most probable number technique, plate cultures)
- Writing and reporting
Intern
National Water Supply and Drainage Board
01.2015
- Performing cellular based toxicological assays
- Assisting in cell imaging and flow cytometry
- Screening cyano-metabolites
- Writing and reporting
Research Assistant
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Pathmalal M Manage
- Centre for Water Quality and Algae Research, University of Sri
- Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka
- Responsibilities The role provided assistance during the sample collection, analysis and dissemination phases of a National Research Council funded project titled “Therapeutic significance of marine cyanobacteria and sponges”
- This project investigates the cytotoxic and anti-infective potential of some selected marine cyanobacteria and sponges
- My responsibilities have included:
- Maintaining mammalian cell cultures
- Performing toxicological assays (in vitro)
- Identification and isolation of potent anticancer compounds
- Assisting in DNA extraction
- Preparing and maintaining cyanobacterial cultures
- Preparing and maintaining bacterial cultures
- Screening antibacterial efficacy
- Preparing reports
- Training students and other professionals
- Leading workshops
Teaching Assistant
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Leading lab sessions
- Assisting in course preparation
- Leading field sessions
- Tutoring and academic support
- Assisting in grading assignments and exams
- Maintaining records
Education
Doctor of Philosophy - Biomedical Sciences And Pharmacology
Griffith University
Brisbane, QLD2023
Bachelor of Science (Honours) - Aquatic Resources Management, Zoology And Chemistr
University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka
09.2017
Skills
- Mammalian cell culture handling and maintenance
- In vitro cellular bioassay methods
- Chromatography (HPLC, GC-MS, LC-MS, Orbitrap, ELISA)
- Molecular techniques (DNA extraction)
- Microbiological techniques (disc diffusion, plate count methods)
- Metabolomics profiling (Compound Discoverer software)
- Extraction and isolation techniques
- Phytochemical Analysis
- Laboratory techniques (ELISA, MIPS)
- Scientific writing and presentation
- Experiment designing
- Research and analytical skills
Additional Information
- Human-Nature Interactions Themes Scholarship (2023), Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Griffith University, Australia.
- Griffith University International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (GUIPRS) 2019-2023, Griffith University, Australia.
- Griffith University Postgraduate Research Award Scholarship (GUPRS) 2019-2023, Griffith University, Australia.
- Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship 2013-2016, The Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund, Government of Sri Lanka.
RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Wijewickrama, M., Greene, A., & Cock, I. (2023). Therapeutics from Cyanobacteria: A Review of Cyanobacteria-Derived Compounds as Anti-cancer Drug Leads. Pharmacognosy Reviews, 17(34), 230-246.
Wijewickrama, M. M., & Manage, P. M. (2019). Accumulation of Microcystin-LR in grains of two rice varieties (Oryza sativa L.) and a leafy vegetable, Ipomoea aquatica. Toxins, 11(8), 432.
Wijewickrma, G. M. M. K. and Manage, P. M. (2017) Accumulation Status of Microcystin – LR (MC-LR) in Ipomoea aquatica plant tissues, Fourth International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches, 21 September, Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka. p. 159.
Wijewickrma, G. M. M. K. and Manage, P. M. (2017) Evaluation of the Accumulation Status of Microcystin – LR (MC-LR) in Rice, (Oryza sativa) Grains, Twenty Second International Forestry and Environment Symposium, 10 November, Waskaduwa, Sri Lanka. p.21.
Timeline
Research Assistant
01.2017 - 01.2019
Teaching Assistant
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
01.2017 - 01.2018
Intern
National Aquatic Resources Research And Developmen
01.2016
Intern
National Water Supply and Drainage Board
01.2015
Doctor of Philosophy - Biomedical Sciences And Pharmacology
Griffith University
Bachelor of Science (Honours) - Aquatic Resources Management, Zoology And Chemistr
University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka