Overview
Background
I am an interdisciplinary researcher and a Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy (HEA) Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF). With a strong background in Agricultural Biotechnology, Molecular Plant Physiology, Biochemistry, Omics (Proteomics, Metabolomics, Transcriptomics), and Statistical data analysis, I am dedicated to advancing knowledge and finding practical solutions in the field of crop production.
My current research focuses on studying axillary bud outgrowth and axillary meristem arrest, a variable trait that holds significant importance in crop production. By delving into the intricate mechanisms governing axillary branching, I aim to unravel the underlying molecular and physiological processes that contribute to the regulation of this trait. Understanding the factors influencing axillary branching has the potential to revolutionize crop yield and quality by optimizing plant architecture and resource allocation.
Availability
- Dr Akila Wijerathna Yapa is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Agricultural Biotechnology, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka
- Masters (Research) of Plant Cell and Molecular Biology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- Doctor of Philosophy of Biochemistry, The University of Western Australia
- Masters (Coursework) of Business Administration, Staffordshire University
- Fellow, The Higher Education Academy (UKPSF), The Higher Education Academy (UKPSF)
- Associate Fellow, The University of Western Australia Academy Fellowship Scheme, The University of Western Australia Academy Fellowship Scheme
Works
Search Professor Akila Wijerathna Yapa’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Advancing quantitative NMR for high-precision isotopic analysis with rnmrfit 2.0
Isaac, Kathy Sharon, Le, Phuong Mai, Street, Theodore, Wijerathna-Yapa, Akila and Sokolenko, Stanislav (2025). Advancing quantitative NMR for high-precision isotopic analysis with rnmrfit 2.0. Journal of Magnetic Resonance, 381 107991. doi: 10.1016/j.jmr.2025.107991
2025
Journal Article
Harnessing metabolites from plant cell tissue and organ culture for sustainable biotechnology
Wijerathna-Yapa, Akila, Hiti-Bandaralage, Jayeni and Pathirana, Ranjith (2025). Harnessing metabolites from plant cell tissue and organ culture for sustainable biotechnology. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC), 162 (3) 55, 1-21. doi: 10.1007/s11240-025-03180-6
2024
Journal Article
Development and applications of somatic embryogenesis in grapevine (Vitis spp.)
Carra, Angela, Wijerathna-Yapa, Akila, Pathirana, Ranjith and Carimi, Francesco (2024). Development and applications of somatic embryogenesis in grapevine (Vitis spp.). Plants, 13 (22) 3131, 1-35. doi: 10.3390/plants13223131
2024
Journal Article
Rice–wheat comparative genomics: gains and gaps
Wijerathna-Yapa, Akila, Bishnoi, Ruchi, Ranawaka, Buddhini, Maya Magar, Manu, Ur Rehman, Hafeez, Bharad, Swati G., Lorenc, Michal T., Ramtekey, Vinita, Gohar, Sasha, Lata, Charu, Harun-Or-Rashid, Md., Razzaq, Maryam, Sajjad, Muhammad and Basnet, Bhoja R. (2024). Rice–wheat comparative genomics: gains and gaps. The Crop Journal, 12 (3), 656-669. doi: 10.1016/j.cj.2023.10.008
2024
Journal Article
Constitutive activation of ABA receptors in Arabidopsis reveals unique regulatory circuitries
Pri‐Tal, Oded, Sun, Yufei, Dadras, Armin, Fürst‐Jansen, Janine M. R., Zimran, Gil, Michaeli, Daphna, Wijerathna‐Yapa, Akila, Shpilman, Michal, Merilo, Ebe, Yarmolinsky, Dmitry, Efroni, Idan, de Vries, Jan, Kollist, Hannes and Mosquna, Assaf (2024). Constitutive activation of ABA receptors in Arabidopsis reveals unique regulatory circuitries. New Phytologist, 241 (2), 703-714. doi: 10.1111/nph.19363
2023
Journal Article
Science and opinion in decision making: a case study of the food security collapse in Sri Lanka
Wijerathna‐Yapa, Akila, Henry, Robert J., Dunn, Matt and Beveridge, Christine A. (2023). Science and opinion in decision making: a case study of the food security collapse in Sri Lanka. Modern Agriculture, 1 (2), 142-151. doi: 10.1002/moda.18
2023
Journal Article
Learnings from a century of apical dominance research
Beveridge, Christine A, Rameau, Catherine and Wijerathna-Yapa, Akila (2023). Learnings from a century of apical dominance research. Journal of Experimental Botany, 74 (14), 3903-3922. doi: 10.1093/jxb/erad137
2023
Conference Publication
Using the emergent properties of network topologies to predict phenotypic change
Fortuna, Nicole, Wijerathna-Yapa, Akila and Beveridge, Christine A. (2023). Using the emergent properties of network topologies to predict phenotypic change. 10th International Conference on Functional-Structural Plant Models (FSPM2023), Berlin, Germany, March 27-31, 2023. Hannover, Germany: Institute of Horticultural Production Systems.
2023
Journal Article
Tissue culture — AsSustainable approach to explore plant stresses
Wijerathna-Yapa, Akila and Hiti-Bandaralage, Jayeni (2023). Tissue culture — AsSustainable approach to explore plant stresses. Life, 13 (3) 780, 1-16. doi: 10.3390/life13030780
2023
Other Outputs
Risk of worldwide hunger
Wijerathna, Akila (2023, 01 01). Risk of worldwide hunger LMD 131.
2022
Other Outputs
In the pursuit of equality for women plant breeders around the world
García, Ana Paola Valladares , Wijerathna-Yapa, Akila , Mishra, Somyashree , Harun-Or-Rashid, Md., Nehra, Mamta, Ramtekey, Vinita , Angwi, Ndah Renata , Magar, Manu Maya , Opondo, Dora , Sasha, Kumar, Satish , Swati, Tenesi, Tanyaradzwa , Bentley, Alison R. and Basnet, Bhoja Raj (2022). In the pursuit of equality for women plant breeders around the world. Women in Crop Science. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.7385758
2022
Other Outputs
Climate and agriculture
Wijerathna, Akila (2022, 11 01). Climate and agriculture LMD 138.
2022
Other Outputs
Farming needs reimagining
Wijerathna, Akila (2022, 11 01). Farming needs reimagining LMD 141.
2022
Other Outputs
Zero hunger — the end goal
Wijerathna, Akila (2022, 10 01). Zero hunger — the end goal LMD 135.
2022
Journal Article
Sustainable agro-food systems for addressing climate change and food security
Wijerathna-Yapa, Akila and Pathirana, Ranjith (2022). Sustainable agro-food systems for addressing climate change and food security. Agriculture, 12 (10) 1554, 1-26. doi: 10.3390/agriculture12101554
2022
Conference Publication
Modelling hormone signalling networks to better predict branching phenotypes
Fortuna, N. Z., Wijerathna-Yapa, A. and Beveridge, C. A. (2022). Modelling hormone signalling networks to better predict branching phenotypes. ComBio 2022, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), 27-30 September 2022.
2022
Conference Publication
Prior knowledge-driven branching phenotype prediction for shoot architecture improvement
Wijerathna-Yapa, A., Fortuna, N., Cooper, M. and Beveridge, C. A. (2022). Prior knowledge-driven branching phenotype prediction for shoot architecture improvement. ComBio 2022, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCE), 27-30 September 2022.
2022
Other Outputs
Farming without farmland
Wijerathna, Akila (2022, 09 02). Farming without farmland LMD 148-148.
2022
Journal Article
Applications of in vitro tissue culture technologies in breeding and genetic improvement of wheat
Wijerathna-Yapa, Akila, Ramtekey, Vinita, Ranawaka, Buddhini and Basnet, Bhoja Raj (2022). Applications of in vitro tissue culture technologies in breeding and genetic improvement of wheat. Plants, 11 (17) 2273, 1-26. doi: 10.3390/plants11172273
2022
Other Outputs
Flowering of a green idea — floriculture sector
Wijerathna, Akila (2022, 07 28). Flowering of a green idea — floriculture sector LMD 147-147 .
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Akila Wijerathna Yapa is:
- Available for supervision
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Media
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