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
2020
Other Outputs
Next generation farming
Wijerathna, Akila (2020, 05 01). Next generation farming LMD 116-116.
2020
Other Outputs
Smallholder development: impact of urbanization on smallholder farmers
Wijerathna, Akila (2020, 04 01). Smallholder development: impact of urbanization on smallholder farmers LMD 150-150.
2020
Other Outputs
Climate change proofing
Wijerathna, Akila (2020, 03 01). Climate change proofing LMD 160-160.
2020
Other Outputs
Organic farming: fresh look at agriculture
Wijerathna, Akila (2020, 02 01). Organic farming: fresh look at agriculture LMD: The Voice of Business 142-142.
2020
Other Outputs
Sustainable collaboration
Wijerathna, Akila (2020, 01 01). Sustainable collaboration LMD: The Voice of Business 190-190.
2019
Other Outputs
The smallholder challenge: highlights the difficulties that smallholder farmers must overcome
Wijerathna, Akila (2019, 12 01). The smallholder challenge: highlights the difficulties that smallholder farmers must overcome LMD
2019
Journal Article
A ligand-independent origin of abscisic acid perception
Sun, Yufei, Harpazi, Ben, Wijerathna-Yapa, Akila, Merilo, Ebe, de Vries, Jan, Michaeli, Daphna, Gal, Maayan, Cuming, Andrew C., Kollist, Hannes and Mosquna, Assaf (2019). A ligand-independent origin of abscisic acid perception. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116 (49), 24892-24899. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1914480116
2019
Other Outputs
AGRO's Digital Revolution: How IT could transform traditional Agriculture?
Wijerathna, Akila (2019, 11 01). AGRO's Digital Revolution: How IT could transform traditional Agriculture? LMD 176.
2019
Other Outputs
Investing in Development
Wijerathna, Akila (2019, 10 01). Investing in Development LMD 169.
2019
Other Outputs
Sustainable transformation: highlights a prerequisite for innovative farming systems
Wijerathna, Akila (2019, 09 01). Sustainable transformation: highlights a prerequisite for innovative farming systems LMD 145.
2019
Other Outputs
Production to go bananas? Unpeels the economic benefits of commercializing a fruit!
Wijerathna, Akila (2019, 08 01). Production to go bananas? Unpeels the economic benefits of commercializing a fruit! LMD 136.
2019
Other Outputs
Progeny test for generating single copy homozygous transgenic lines in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Wijerathna Yapa, Akila (2019). Progeny test for generating single copy homozygous transgenic lines in Arabidopsis thaliana.. Berkeley, CA, United States: protocols.io. doi: 10.17504/protocols.io.5xrg7m6
2019
Other Outputs
The gender gap in farming
Wijerathna, Akila (2019, 07 01). The gender gap in farming LMD 193.
2019
Other Outputs
RNA extractions from de-etiolated Arabidopsis seedlings using CTAB
Yapa, Akila Wijerathna, Bowerman, Andrew F. and Ganguly, Diep R. (2019). RNA extractions from de-etiolated Arabidopsis seedlings using CTAB. Berkeley, CA USA: protocols.io. doi: 10.17504/protocols.io.3f6gjre
2019
Conference Publication
Protein synthesis and degradation in the night and day: how cycling abundances are established and maintained
Duncan, O., Wijerathna-Yapa, A. and Millar, A.H. (2019). Protein synthesis and degradation in the night and day: how cycling abundances are established and maintained. ARC CoE in Plant Energy - Biology Annual Forum 2019, Thredbo, NSW Australia , 4 - 6 June 2019. ARC CoE in Plant Energy.
2019
Conference Publication
Application of Proteomics Techniques to Organelle Abundance Profiling of Arabidopsis thaliana Autophagy Mutants
Wijerathna-Yapa, A., Fenske, R., Li, L., Petereit, P., Cao, H., Stroher, E., Duncan, O. and Millar, A.H. (2019). Application of Proteomics Techniques to Organelle Abundance Profiling of Arabidopsis thaliana Autophagy Mutants. ARC CoE in Plant Energy Biology Annual Forum 2019, Thredbo, NSW Australia , 4 - 6 June 2019.
2019
Other Outputs
Develop genetic diversity: Ramification of adapting crop heterogeneity
Wijerathna, Akila (2019, 06 01). Develop genetic diversity: Ramification of adapting crop heterogeneity LMD 167.
2019
Other Outputs
Digital Farming: Agro made simple by 'E'
Wijerathna, Akila (2019, 06 01). Digital Farming: Agro made simple by 'E' LMD 172-172.
2019
Other Outputs
Genetically Engineered DNA
Wijerathna, Akila (2019, 05 01). Genetically Engineered DNA LMD 171.
2019
Other Outputs
Growing Community Gardens
Wijerathna, Akila (2019, 04 01). Growing Community Gardens LMD 139.
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Akila Wijerathna Yapa is:
- Available for supervision
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Media
Enquiries
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