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
2021
Other Outputs
Bio-based farm economy
Wijerathna, Akila (2021, 09 01). Bio-based farm economy LMD 132-132.
2021
Other Outputs
Bridging the Gender Gap — emphasises the need to empower female smallholder farmers
Wijerathna, Akila (2021, 08 01). Bridging the Gender Gap — emphasises the need to empower female smallholder farmers LMD 138.
2021
Other Outputs
Climate crisis and farming
Wijerathna, Akila (2021, 07 01). Climate crisis and farming LMD 172.
2021
Other Outputs
Sustainable agriculture — indoor farming takes root
Akila Wijerathna (2021, 06 01). Sustainable agriculture — indoor farming takes root LMD 126.
2021
Other Outputs
Greener energy for crops
Wijerathna, Akila (2021, 05 01). Greener energy for crops LMD 144.
2021
Other Outputs
Defects in autophagy lead to selective in vivo changes in turnover of cytosolic and organelle proteins in Arabidopsis
Li, Lei, Lee, Chun Pong, Wijerathna-Yapa, Akila, Broda, Martyna, Otegui, Marisa S. and Millar, A. Harvey (2021). Defects in autophagy lead to selective in vivo changes in turnover of cytosolic and organelle proteins in Arabidopsis.
2021
Other Outputs
Mitigating farming risks
Wijerathna, Akila (2021, 04 01). Mitigating farming risks LMD 137.
2021
Other Outputs
Autophagy promotes photomorphogenesis during seedling development in Arabidopsis in carbon limiting conditions
Wijerathna-Yapa, Akila, Signorelli, Santiago, Fenske, Ricarda, Ganguly, Diep R., Stroeher, Elke, Li, Lei, Pogson, Barry J., Duncan, Owen and Millar, A. Harvey (2021). Autophagy promotes photomorphogenesis during seedling development in Arabidopsis in carbon limiting conditions.
2021
Other Outputs
Protecting the planet - reducing food waste will curtail greenhouse gases
Wijerathna, Akila (2021, 03 01). Protecting the planet - reducing food waste will curtail greenhouse gases LMD: The Voice of Business 155-155.
2021
Other Outputs
The urban-rural divide — how biotechnology can develop rural economy
Wijerathna, Akila (2021, 02 01). The urban-rural divide — how biotechnology can develop rural economy LMD: The Voice of Business 117-117.
2021
Other Outputs
Innovating for security - agriculture
Wijerathna, Akila (2021, 01 01). Innovating for security - agriculture LMD: The Voice of Business 150-150.
2020
Other Outputs
Next generation production
Wijerathna, Akila (2020, 12 20). Next generation production LMD 132-132.
2020
Journal Article
Proteomics for autophagy receptor and cargo identification in plants
Wijerathna-Yapa, Akila, Stroeher, Elke, Fenske, Ricarda, Li, Lei, Duncan, Owen and Millar, A. Harvey (2020). Proteomics for autophagy receptor and cargo identification in plants. Journal of Proteome Research, 20 (1), 129-138. doi: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.0c00609
2020
Other Outputs
Combating land degradation
Wijerathna, Akila (2020, 11 01). Combating land degradation LMD: The Voice of Business 129-129.
2020
Other Outputs
Unravelling the underlying components of autophagy-mediated photomorphogenesis of Arabidopsis thaliana
Mudiyanselage, Akila Maduranga Wijerathna Yapa (2020). Unravelling the underlying components of autophagy-mediated photomorphogenesis of Arabidopsis thaliana. PhD Thesis, Doctoral Thesis, The University of Western Australia. doi: 10.26182/2hpj-7605
2020
Other Outputs
Resourceful conservation
Wijerathna, Akila (2020, 10 01). Resourceful conservation LMD: The Voice of Business 122-122.
2020
Other Outputs
The breadbasket failures: the food system woes unearthed by the pandemic
Wijerathna, Akila (2020, 09 01). The breadbasket failures: the food system woes unearthed by the pandemic LMD 164-164.
2020
Other Outputs
The pursuit of equality
Wijerathna, Akila (2020, 08 01). The pursuit of equality LMD 144-144.
2020
Other Outputs
Ecological intensification
Wijerathna, Akila (2020, 07 01). Ecological intensification LMD: The Voice of Business 128-128.
2020
Other Outputs
The farming transformation
Wijerathna, Akila (2020, 06 01). The farming transformation LMD: The Voice of Business 116-116.
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Akila Wijerathna Yapa is:
- Available for supervision
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Media
Enquiries
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