Sumudu Avanthi Hewage (Hay/va/gay)
Brisbane,Australia
Summary
Experienced professional researcher with expertise in analytical and statistical skills, proficient in experiment design and execution. Demonstrates collaborative teamwork and adaptability to evolving project requirements. Excels in data analysis, literature review, and report writing. Recognized for reliability and a goal-oriented approach that consistently achieves impactful results.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
PhD Candidate
Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
06.2021 - 12.2024
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks with deadlines. Conducted five PhD projects using epidemiology, qualitative research, implementation science, and health economics methods, resulting in five manuscripts over 3.5 years
- Responsibilities included obtaining ethics approval, engaging stakeholders from local public and private clinics, conducting interviews with clinicians and patients, analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, and dissemination of research findings including peer-reviewed articles and conference presentations
Research Assistant
Queensland University of Technology, QUT
08.2023 - 12.2024
- Pressure Injury Reduction Project – collaborative effort with QUT, Metro North Health, and Stryker as industry partner.
- Responsible for obtaining ethics and SSA approval from Metro North Health, participating in stakeholder meetings, and supporting grant application process for NHMRC and DHCRC funding as part of larger team.
- Active participation in regular meetings with multiple stakeholders to discuss project updates, challenges faced, and lessons learned during ongoing activities.
Senior Registrar in Public Health
National Programme for Tuberculosis Control and Chest Diseases, Ministry of Health
01.2020 - 05.2021
- Company Overview: Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka
- Developed and supported in implementing five-year strategic plans for tuberculosis (TB) control in Sri Lanka, collaborating with key stakeholders to ensure effective program delivery.
- Led the annual monitoring and evaluation of 25 district TB clinics, providing oversight and coordinating support for health services.
- Developed and co-designed health education materials, conducting training sessions for junior staff, allied health professionals, patients, and at-risk communities, including economically disadvantaged populations, rural and remote residents, and LGBTQ+ groups.
Registrar in Public Health
National Cancer Control Programme, National Institute of Health Sciences, Family Health Bureau
01.2014 - 01.2020
- Company Overview: Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka
- Assisted in development of cancer screening and early detection guidelines, contributing to national cancer control strategy
- Delivered health education sessions for hospital and community health staff, and for public, focusing on breast cancer awareness
- Engaged with industry partners, such as Indira Cancer Trust, to strengthen program implementation and community outreach
- Led large-scale, multi-setting study involving over 800 breast cancer patients across four districts, investigating cancer care pathways, presentation/diagnostic and treatment timelines
- This pioneering study, funded through grant to National Cancer Control Programme, provided critical insights into breast cancer care in Sri Lanka for first time
- Worked within Maternal Mortality Surveillance Unit of family health bureau contributing to national effort to monitor and reduce maternal mortality
- Assisted in district-level maternal mortality investigations, gathering and analysing data to inform health policy
- Supported preparation of annual reports on maternal mortality, ensuring accurate and comprehensive documentation for stakeholders and policymakers
Intern House Officer and Medical Officer
Ministry of Health
10.2010 - 01.2014
- Company Overview: Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka
- Served as the first point of medical care for inpatients in both medical and surgical wards as intern medical officer under the supervision of specialist physician and surgeon.
- Provided immediate treatment, monitored patient status, and supported patient recovery, communicated with senior medical staff throughout patients’ hospital stays.
- Coordinated follow-up care for chronic conditions and managed patients in the ward’s outpatient clinic held twice a week.
- Managed emergencies and acute care for clinically unstable patients with heart-related issues under the supervision of specialist cardiologist in coronary care unit at Panadura Base Hospital
- Assessed and managed patients attending sub-fertility clinic at Castle Street Hospital for Women under the supervision of specialist gynaecologist.
Education
Doctor of Medicine (MD) - Public Health
Postgraduate Institute of Medicine
Colombo01-2018
Masters (MSc) - Public Health
Postgraduate Institute of Medicine
Colombo01-2015
Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of Medicine (MBBS) -
Faculty of Medical Sciences
Colombo01-2008
Skills
- Research expertise in Epidemiology, Implementation Science and Health Economics
- Quantitative and qualitative research methods
- Project management
- Multidisciplinary team collaboration
- Academic publishing
- Self-motivated with a strong sense of personal responsibility
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement
- Organised and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic
Affiliations
- Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA), Member
- Mental Health Special Interest Group Committee of the PHAA, Member
- HDR students’ mentoring committee, Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation, QUT, Member
- Journal of College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka, Editorial Board Member
- College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka, Convener of the Sub Committee on Post Graduate student mentoring and Career Development
- Perinatal Society of Sri Lanka, Co-Editor and Member of the Council
- College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka, Life Member
- Sri Lanka Medical Association, Life Member
Awards
- Inaugural Queensland Cardiovascular Research Network (QCVRN) Top Up scholarship for Public Health, 2022
- Nominee for the Gold Medal for the best PGIM student, 2015/16
- Dr Ranjan de Sylva Research Award for the best paper presented under the categories of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases, 2020
- Prof. Dhapne Attygalle Award for the Best Paper in Cancer, 2019
- First place for the best oral presentation in the ‘Cancer and Palliative Care’ category, 2019
Publications
- Cost-effectiveness of left atrial appendage closure for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation: a systematic review appraising the methodological quality., Cost Eff Resour Alloc, 2023, https://doi:10.1186/s12962-023-00486-0
- Global and regional burden of ischemic stroke associated with atrial fibrillation, 2009–2019., Preventive Medicine, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2023.107584
- Presentation, Diagnosis and Treatment Delays in Breast Cancer Care and Their Associations in Sri Lanka, a Low-resourced Country., Clinical Oncology, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clon.2022.05.007
- 'Why are you not dead yet?' - dimensions and the main driving forces of stigma and discrimination among COVID-19 patients in Sri Lanka., Public Health, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2021.07.001
- Active screening of patients with diabetes mellitus for pulmonary tuberculosis in a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka., PLOS ONE, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0249787
References
- Associate Professor Sanjeewa Kularatna - Principal PhD Supervisor
Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation (AusHSI),
Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane.
sanjeewa.kularatna@qut.edu.au
450 574 376
- Professor William Parsonage - Associate PhD Supervisor
Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation (AusHSI),
Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane.
w.parsonage@qut.edu.au
422 234 238
Timeline
Research Assistant
Queensland University of Technology, QUT
08.2023 - 12.2024
PhD Candidate
Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
06.2021 - 12.2024
Senior Registrar in Public Health
National Programme for Tuberculosis Control and Chest Diseases, Ministry of Health
01.2020 - 05.2021
Registrar in Public Health
National Cancer Control Programme, National Institute of Health Sciences, Family Health Bureau
01.2014 - 01.2020
Intern House Officer and Medical Officer
Ministry of Health
10.2010 - 01.2014
Doctor of Medicine (MD) - Public Health
Postgraduate Institute of Medicine
Masters (MSc) - Public Health
Postgraduate Institute of Medicine
Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of Medicine (MBBS) -
Faculty of Medical Sciences
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