PhD student at University of New England, Australia.
Mrs. Preethinie Punyakumari Jayasekara is a distinguished researcher with a strong background in veterinary microbiology and molecular biology. She holds a PhD from the University of Reading, an MPhil from the University of Peradeniya, and a BVSc (Hons) from the University of Sri Lanka. Her professional experience spans roles as a Veterinary Research Officer at the Veterinary Research Institute of Sri Lanka, a Government Veterinary Surgeon, and extensive research periods at notable institutions in Laos and Australia. Her research interests focus on disease diagnosis in livestock, antimicrobial resistance, and microbiological quality testing. Jayasekara has authored numerous publications, including conference proceedings and review papers. Her key skills include designing and executing research methodologies, data analysis, and collaboration with various research entities. Her work has contributed significantly to advancements in animal health and production.
Education🎓
Mrs. Preethinie Punyakumari Jayasekara holds an impressive educational background in veterinary science and microbiology. She earned her Bachelor of Veterinary Science with Honours (BVSc) from the University of Sri Lanka, where she laid the foundation for her expertise in animal health. Further advancing her knowledge, she pursued a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Microbiology at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, completing her degree in April 2019. Her MPhil research focused on microbiological quality testing of dairy products, specifically curd and yoghurt, aligning with SLS standards. Mrs. Jayasekara’s academic journey culminated with a Doctorate (PhD) from the University of Reading, Australia. Her doctoral studies further honed her skills in molecular biology, significantly contributing to her research capabilities and expertise in diagnosing and treating animal diseases. This robust educational background underpins her distinguished career in veterinary research and microbiology.
Professional Experience 🏢
Mrs. Preethinie Punyakumari Jayasekara has a diverse and accomplished professional background in veterinary science and microbiology. She served as a Veterinary Research Officer in the Molecular Biology Division at the Veterinary Research Institute, Sri Lanka, from July 2018 to September 2021. In this role, she was responsible for establishing molecular techniques for disease diagnosis, conducting research on animal health, and improving laboratory facilities. Her responsibilities also included data analysis, knowledge transfer, and collaboration with external institutes. Prior to this, she worked as a Government Veterinary Surgeon with the Department of Animal Production and Health, Sri Lanka, from December 2015 to July 2018. Her duties involved diagnosing and treating animal diseases, performing post-mortem examinations, and conducting mobile clinics and vaccination programs. Additionally, Mrs. Jayasekara has extensive experience in molecular biology through her work at the National Animal Health Laboratory in Laos and the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute in Australia.
Mrs. Preethinie Punyakumari Jayasekara’s research interests focus on veterinary microbiology and molecular biology. Her work primarily revolves around the application of molecular techniques for disease diagnosis and animal health research. She is particularly interested in utilizing molecular methods to diagnose and manage diseases affecting livestock, such as eye infections and respiratory diseases in goats. Her research also explores the microbiological quality of dairy products and antimicrobial resistance in bacteria from dairy cattle and the farm environment. Mrs. Jayasekara’s expertise includes nucleic acid extraction, PCR assays, and phylogenetic analysis, which she applies to improve animal health and production. She has contributed to the understanding of disease constraints in goat production and has been involved in diagnosing and addressing various animal health issues through advanced microbiological techniques.
Mrs. Preethinie Punyakumari Jayasekara has earned recognition for her significant contributions to veterinary microbiology and molecular biology. Her work, particularly in diagnosing animal diseases and improving animal health, has been highlighted in various scientific conferences. Notably, she presented at the 9th International Conference on Sustainable Animal Agriculture for Developing Countries (SAADC2023), where she discussed topics such as the causation of pinkeye in Lao goats and the impact of diseases on goat production in Lao PDR. Her research has also been acknowledged in several proceedings and scientific journals. Additionally, she has been instrumental in advancing veterinary research through her role at the Veterinary Research Institute in Sri Lanka, where she established techniques for disease diagnosis and contributed to knowledge transfer programs. Her achievements underscore her dedication to improving animal health and advancing veterinary science.
Mrs. Preethinie Punyakumari Jayasekara possesses extensive research skills, primarily in veterinary microbiology and molecular biology. Her expertise includes sample collection, research planning, and methodology development. She is skilled in designing and selecting primers and probes, performing nucleic acid extraction, and conducting PCR assays. Her proficiency extends to data analysis using tools such as MS Excel, RStudio, Geneious Prime, and Mega10. Jayasekara has practical experience with agarose gel electrophoresis, PCR product purification, and phylogenesis. Additionally, she has demonstrated her ability to diagnose animal diseases and develop research techniques at institutions like the National Animal Health Laboratory in Laos and the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute in Australia. Her work also involves collaboration with other research divisions and external organizations, contributing to knowledge transfer and advancing research in animal health and production.
Publications Top Notes 📚