Overview
Background
Associate Professor Arutha Kulasinghe leads the Clinical-oMx Lab at the Frazer Institute, University of Queensland and is the Founding Scientific Director of the Queensland Spatial Biology Centre (QSBC) at the Wesley Research Institute. A/Prof Kulasinghe has pioneered spatial transcriptomics, proteomics, and interactomics in the Asia-Pacific region, contributing to world-first studies in lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and tissue atlasing studies of infectious diseases across pandemics. His research aims to understand the underlying pathobiology by using an integrative multi-omics approach. A/Prof Kulasinghe has over 100 peer-reviewed publications, including The Lancet Microbe, Journal of Clinical Oncology and Nature Genetics. He is the recipient of the Cure Cancer "Researcher of the Year" 2023 and named in the "Top Innovators Award" by the Australian for 2024. A/Prof Kulasinghe is supported by the MRFF, NHMRC, US DoD, Cancer Australia, Cure Cancer, pharma and numerous hospital and philanthropic organisations.
Availability
- Associate Professor Arutha Kulasinghe is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, Queensland University of Technology
Research interests
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Immuno-oncology
Applications in lung, skin, and head and neck cancers.
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Spatial transcriptomics
Applications across solid tumours and COVID-19
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Liquid Biopsies
Applications in lung cancer, and head and neck cancer
Works
Search Professor Arutha Kulasinghe’s works on UQ eSpace
2022
Conference Publication
Multi-omic and spatial dissection of immunotherapy response groups in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
O'Byrne, Kenneth John, Monkman, James, Kim, Honesty, Cumberbatch, Marie, Bhagat, Milan, Ladwa, Rahul, Adams, Mark N. and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2022). Multi-omic and spatial dissection of immunotherapy response groups in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). 2022 ASCO Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, United States, 3-7 June 2022. Alexandria, VA, United States: American Society of Clinical Oncology. doi: 10.1200/jco.2022.40.16_suppl.8544
2022
Journal Article
Dissecting Tissue Compartment-Specific Protein Signatures in Primary and Metastatic Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Sadeghirad, Habib, Monkman, James, Mehdi, Ahmed M., Ladwa, Rahul, O’Byrne, Ken, Hughes, Brett G. M. and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2022). Dissecting Tissue Compartment-Specific Protein Signatures in Primary and Metastatic Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinomas. Frontiers in Immunology, 13 895513, 1-11. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.895513
2022
Conference Publication
Mapping the spatial biology of COVID-19 immunopathology in placenta tissues
Ma, Ning, Braubach, Oliver, Rebutini, Patricia Zadorosnei, Machado-Souza, Cleber, Stonoga, Emanuele Therezinha Schueda, de Noronha, Lucia, Souza-Fonseca-Guimaraes, Fernando and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2022). Mapping the spatial biology of COVID-19 immunopathology in placenta tissues. Immunology 2022 Meeting, Portland, OR United States, 6-10 May 2022. Rockville, MD United States: American Association of Immunologists. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.208.supp.125.20
2022
Journal Article
Immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer therapy
Shiravand, Yavar, Khodadadi, Faezeh, Kashani, Seyyed Mohammad Amin, Hosseini-Fard, Seyed Reza, Hosseini, Shadi, Sadeghirad, Habib, Ladwa, Rahul, O’Byrne, Ken and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2022). Immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer therapy. Current Oncology, 29 (5), 3044-3060. doi: 10.3390/curroncol29050247
2022
Journal Article
Clinical applications of circulating tumour cells and circulating tumour dna in non-small cell lung cancer—an update
Kapeleris, Joanna, Ebrahimi Warkiani, Majid, Kulasinghe, Arutha, Vela, Ian, Kenny, Liz, Ladwa, Rahul, O’Byrne, Kenneth and Punyadeera, Chamindie (2022). Clinical applications of circulating tumour cells and circulating tumour dna in non-small cell lung cancer—an update. Frontiers in Oncology, 12 859152, 1-18. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2022.859152
2022
Journal Article
The role of circulating biomarkers in lung cancer
Herath, Sayuri, Sadeghi Rad, Habib, Radfar, Payar, Ladwa, Rahul, Warkiani, Majid, O’Byrne, Ken and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2022). The role of circulating biomarkers in lung cancer. Frontiers in Oncology, 11 801269, 1-13. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.801269
2022
Journal Article
Spatial profiling identifies prognostic features of response to adjuvant therapy in Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)
Kulasinghe, Arutha, Monkman, James, Shah, Esha T., Matigian, Nicholas, Adams, Mark N. and O’Byrne, Ken (2022). Spatial profiling identifies prognostic features of response to adjuvant therapy in Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). Frontiers in Oncology, 11 798296, 798296. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.798296
2022
Journal Article
Understanding the tumor microenvironment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Rad, Habib Sadeghi, Shiravand, Yavar, Radfar, Payar, Ladwa, Rahul, Perry, Chris, Han, Xiaoyuan, Warkiani, Majid Ebrahimi, Adams, Mark N., Hughes, Brett G.M., O'Byrne, Ken and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2022). Understanding the tumor microenvironment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Clinical & Translational Immunology, 11 (6) e1397, e1397. doi: 10.1002/cti2.1397
2022
Journal Article
Modelling the tumor immune microenvironment for precision immunotherapy
Mackenzie, Nathan J, Nicholls, Clarissa, Templeton, Abby R, Perera, Mahasha PJ, Jeffery, Penny L, Zimmermann, Kate, Kulasinghe, Arutha, Kenna, Tony J, Vela, Ian, Williams, Elizabeth D and Thomas, Patrick B (2022). Modelling the tumor immune microenvironment for precision immunotherapy. Clinical and Translational Immunology, 11 (6) e1400, 1-22. doi: 10.1002/cti2.1400
2022
Journal Article
Corrigendum: The effects of COVID-19 on the placenta during pregnancy
Rad, Habib Sadeghi, Röhl, Joan, Stylianou, Nataly, Allenby, Mark C., Bazaz, Sajad Razavi, Warkiani, Majid E., Guimaraes, Fernando S F, Clifton, Vicki L. and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2022). Corrigendum: The effects of COVID-19 on the placenta during pregnancy. Frontiers in immunology, 13 998406, 998406. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.998406
2021
Conference Publication
Stromal compartment specific gene signatures dissect immunotherapy response groups in non-small cell lung cancer
Kulasinghe, A., Monkman, J. and O'Byrne, K. J. (2021). Stromal compartment specific gene signatures dissect immunotherapy response groups in non-small cell lung cancer. ESMO Immuno-Oncology Congres, Electr Network, Dec 08-11, 2021. AMSTERDAM: ELSEVIER. doi: 10.1016/j.annonc.2021.10.032
2021
Journal Article
Endothelial cells are not productively infected by SARS‐CoV‐2
Schimmel, Lilian, Chew, Keng Yih, Stocks, Claudia J., Yordanov, Teodor E., Essebier, Patricia, Kulasinghe, Arutha, Monkman, James, Santos Miggiolaro, Anna Flavia Ribeiro, Cooper, Caroline, Noronha, Lucia, Schroder, Kate, Lagendijk, Anne Karine, Labzin, Larisa I., Short, Kirsty R. and Gordon, Emma J. (2021). Endothelial cells are not productively infected by SARS‐CoV‐2. Clinical and Translational Immunology, 10 (10) e1350, e1350. doi: 10.1002/cti2.1350
2021
Journal Article
Novel systemic inflammation markers to predict COVID-19 prognosis
Karimi, Amirali, Shobeiri, Parnian, Kulasinghe, Arutha and Rezaei, Nima (2021). Novel systemic inflammation markers to predict COVID-19 prognosis. Frontiers in Immunology, 12 741061. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.741061
2021
Journal Article
Flower lose, a cell fitness marker, predicts COVID‐19 prognosis
Yekelchyk, Michail, Madan, Esha, Wilhelm, Jochen, Short, Kirsty R, Palma, António M, Liao, Linbu, Camacho, Denise, Nkadori, Everlyne, Winters, Michael T, Rice, Emily S, Rolim, Inês, Cruz‐Duarte, Raquel, Pelham, Christopher J, Nagane, Masaki, Gupta, Kartik, Chaudhary, Sahil, Braun, Thomas, Pillappa, Raghavendra, Parker, Mark S, Menter, Thomas, Matter, Matthias, Haslbauer, Jasmin Dionne, Tolnay, Markus, Galior, Kornelia D, Matkwoskyj, Kristina A, McGregor, Stephanie M, Muller, Laura K, Rakha, Emad A, Lopez‐Beltran, Antonio ... Gogna, Rajan (2021). Flower lose, a cell fitness marker, predicts COVID‐19 prognosis. EMBO Molecular Medicine, 13 (11) e13714, e13714. doi: 10.15252/emmm.202013714
2021
Conference Publication
Identification of ctDNA using MassARRAY Technology in a Cross-Sectional Study of NSCLC Patients
Kulasinghe, A., Monkman, J., Dutta, S., O’Leary, C., Ladwa, R. and O'Byrne, K. (2021). Identification of ctDNA using MassARRAY Technology in a Cross-Sectional Study of NSCLC Patients. 2021 World Conference on Lung Cancer, Virtual, 8-14 September 2021. New York, United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jtho.2021.08.375
2021
Journal Article
The identification of circulating tumour DNA using MassARRAY technology in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Kulasinghe, Arutha, O'Leary, Connor, Monkman, James, Bharti, Vandhana, Irwin, Darryl, Dutta, Sanjay, Richard, Derek J., Hughes, Brett, Ladwa, Rahul and O'Byrne, Ken (2021). The identification of circulating tumour DNA using MassARRAY technology in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Lung Cancer, 160, 73-77. doi: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2021.08.005
2021
Conference Publication
Characterizing the Tumour-Immune Microenvironment in EGFR Mutant NSCLC
Monkman, J., O’Leary, C., Richard, D., O'Byrne, K. and Kulasinghe, A. (2021). Characterizing the Tumour-Immune Microenvironment in EGFR Mutant NSCLC. 2021 World Conference on Lung Cancer, Virtual, 8-14 September 2021. New York, United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jtho.2021.08.605
2021
Conference Publication
Polo-like kinase-1 as a biomarker in resected non-small cell lung cancer
O'Leary, C., Monkman, J., Kirkby, B., Matigian, N., Kulasinghe, A., McCaffrey, E., Richard, D., Adams, M. and O'Byrne, K. (2021). Polo-like kinase-1 as a biomarker in resected non-small cell lung cancer. Congress of the European-Society-for-Medical-Oncology (ESMO), Paris France, Sep 16-21, 2021. AMSTERDAM: ELSEVIER. doi: 10.1016/j.annonc.2021.08.1739
2021
Conference Publication
Immune signatures of second-line PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade
O'Byrne, K. J., Monkman, J., Mehdi, A., Matigian, N. and Kulasinghe, A. (2021). Immune signatures of second-line PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade. Congress of the European-Society-for-Medical-Oncology (ESMO), Paris, France, 16-21 September 2021. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.annonc.2021.08.1904
2021
Journal Article
The effects of COVID-19 on the placenta during pregnancy
Rad, Habib Sadeghi, Röhl, Joan, Stylianou, Nataly, Allenby, Mark C., Bazaz, Sajad Razavi, Warkiani, Majid E., Guimaraes, Fernando S. F., Clifton, Vicki L. and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2021). The effects of COVID-19 on the placenta during pregnancy. Frontiers in Immunology, 12 743022. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.743022
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Arutha Kulasinghe is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Master Philosophy
Spatial profiling of the tumour microenvironment in head and neck cancers
Principal Advisor
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Master Philosophy
Defining the head and neck cancer tumour microenvironment across clinical contexts
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Developing predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy using deep spatial profiling
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Brett Hughes
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Master Philosophy
Precision medicine for Prostate Cancer Surgery
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Pattison, Dr Matthew Roberts
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Doctor Philosophy
Mapping immune dysregulation in complex tissues using single-cell spatial multi-omics
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dharmesh Bhuva, Associate Professor Fernando Guimaraes
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Doctor Philosophy
Studying the tumour immune microenvironment in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gabrielle Belz
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Doctor Philosophy
Developing a Translational Pipeline for Personalised Immunotherapy in Follicular Lymphoma
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Maher Gandhi, Dr Joshua Tobin
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Doctor Philosophy
Immuno-genetic biomarkers of response in a prospective study of immune checkpoint therapy in primary CNS lymphoma
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zachary Hawula, Associate Professor Colm Keane
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Doctor Philosophy
Lessons from a Century of Influenza Pandemics and Implications for Future Preparedness
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Keng Chew, Professor Kirsty Short
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the role of myeloid lineages in early melanoma establishment
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor James Wells
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Doctor Philosophy
Deciphering mechanisms of fibroblast-mediated immune regulation in dysplastic cutaneous and oral mucosal epithelium
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Debottam Sinha, Dr Janin Chandra
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Doctor Philosophy
Improved diagnostics for respiratory viral infections
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Meagan Carney, Professor Kirsty Short
Completed supervision
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
The investigation of the tumour microenvironment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma to identify predictive biomarkers of response to immunotherapy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Quan Nguyen, Associate Professor Brett Hughes
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Comprehensive characterisation of tumour microenvironment and therapeutic insights into paediatric cancers through multi-omics profiling
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Fernando Guimaraes
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Arutha Kulasinghe directly for media enquiries about:
- head and neck cancer
- immuno-oncology
- liquid biopsy
- lung cancer
- skin cancer
- spatial biology
- spatial medicine
- translational cancer research
- tumour microenvironment
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