Overview
Background
Dr. Akila Wijerathna-Yapa is an interdisciplinary Biotechnology scientist and Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Frazer Institute, University of Queensland, with over 12 years of expertise spanning Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Bioinformatics. Holding a PhD in Biochemistry from The University of Western Australia, an MSc in Molecular Biology from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, an MBA from the University of Staffordshire, and B.Sc. (Hons.) Sp. Biotechnology from The Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, he brings a rare combination of deep scientific expertise and strategic project management insight to the life sciences.
Dr. Wijerathna-Yapa's research is defined by his ability to integrate advanced technologies—including mass spectrometry-based proteomics, peptidomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, NMR spectroscopy, and transcriptomics—to unravel molecular complexities and translate multi-omics data into actionable insights. His work spans molecular biology, cell culture bioprocess optimisation, clinical biomarker discovery, and spatial biology, with postdoctoral experience at The University of Queensland and Dalhousie University, and collaborative partnerships with leading research institutions across Sri Lanka, China, Israel, Australia, and Canada.
With a strong foundation in advanced statistical data analysis and a proven track record in project management and scientific communication, Dr. Wijerathna-Yapa bridges the gap between scientific discovery and practical innovation. He has authored over 25 peer-reviewed publications and has been recognised with prestigious international awards including the Australian Government Global Talent Independent visa and fellowships from the Higher Education Academy (FHEA, UKPSF). He is passionate about leveraging interdisciplinary knowledge to drive transformative advancements in biotechnology and life sciences.
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
2026
Journal Article
What Is in Fetal Bovine Serum Used for Cell Culture? Integrated Proteomics and Peptidomics Reveal Grade-Dependent Molecular Profiles
Wijerathna-Yapa, Akila and Sokolenko, Stanislav (2026). What Is in Fetal Bovine Serum Used for Cell Culture? Integrated Proteomics and Peptidomics Reveal Grade-Dependent Molecular Profiles. Journal of Proteome Research acs.jproteome.5c01097. doi: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.5c01097
2026
Journal Article
Integrating mass spectrometry‐based multi‐omic signatures of extracellular vesicles: from discovery to clinical translation
Wijerathna‐Yapa, Akila, Aubert, Dimitri and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2026). Integrating mass spectrometry‐based multi‐omic signatures of extracellular vesicles: from discovery to clinical translation. Clinical & Translational Immunology, 15 (1) e70078, e70078-1. doi: 10.1002/cti2.70078
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
2025
Journal Article
Re-imagining human cell culture media: challenges, innovations, and future directions
Wijerathna-Yapa, Akila, Isaac, Kathy Sharon, Combe, Michelle, Hume, Samuel and Sokolenko, Stanislav (2025). Re-imagining human cell culture media: challenges, innovations, and future directions. Biotechnology Advances, 81 108564, 1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2025.108564
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.
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Akila Wijerathna Yapa is:
- Available for supervision
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Media
Enquiries
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