MalariaGEN Investigator - Deepika Fernando

Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Professor Fernando has a PhD in Malariology, an MD in Clinical Parasitology and a Diploma in Microbiology. Following completion of the MD she proceeded to the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford University, on a scholarship awarded by the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, Sri Lanka, to further her knowledge of molecular epidemiology related to malaria. She has over 14 years' experience in carrying out research related to malaria and other parasitic infections.

She has received several awards for carrying out high quality research in Sri Lanka on parasitic diseases such as malaria, lymphatic filariasis, leishmaniasis and helminthic infections. These include Presidential Research Awards in 2000 and 2001, The Committee of Vice Chancellors and Directors award for the young researcher in Allied Sciences for the year 2006 and, more recently, the University Research Award for excellence in research during the years 2003-2006.

Her research work has contributed significantly towards attempts to alleviate the socio-economic dysfunction of communities in Sri Lanka resulting from the morbidity associated with parasitic infections. She is a member of the WHO Strategic and Advisory Committee for Neglected Tropical Diseases.

Deepika Fernando is one of the Principal Investigators in Sri Lanka and her team are contributing to Consortial Project 2.  More >>