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
2016
Journal Article
Effects of Different Hormonal Concentrations and Culture Medium on Multiplication and Rooting of Stage II Banana (Musa cavendishii)
Wijerathna, Yapa Mudiyanselage A.M. and Kumarihami, Herath Mudiyanselage P.C. (2016). Effects of Different Hormonal Concentrations and Culture Medium on Multiplication and Rooting of Stage II Banana (Musa cavendishii). Notulae Scientia Biologicae, 8 (1). doi: 10.15835/nsb.8.1.9749
2016
Other Outputs
Harnessing biotech for livestock
WIjerathna, Akila (2016, 02 01). Harnessing biotech for livestock LMD 195-195.
2016
Other Outputs
The bio-economy. The all-new investment opportunity
Wijerathna, Akila (2016, 01 18). The bio-economy. The all-new investment opportunity LMD 185-185.
2015
Other Outputs
Debunking the myth: unravels the truth behind GMO
Wijerathna, Akila (2015, 12 01). Debunking the myth: unravels the truth behind GMO LMD 233-233.
2015
Other Outputs
Sowing the seeds of productivity: weighs the ideal mix of farm seed inputs
Wijerathna, Akila (2015, 11 01). Sowing the seeds of productivity: weighs the ideal mix of farm seed inputs LMD 174-174.
2015
Other Outputs
BioTech for business: explores the commercial viability of biotechnology
Wijerathna, Akila (2015, 10 01). BioTech for business: explores the commercial viability of biotechnology LMD 166-166.
2015
Conference Publication
Screening an Arabidopsis cDNA Library for Interactor Proteins of Cyclase
Wijerathna-Yapa, A. and Mosquna, A. (2015). Screening an Arabidopsis cDNA Library for Interactor Proteins of Cyclase. The 2nd Pears Foundation Alumni Symposium in Plant Sciences, Rehovot, Israel, 7 - 9 September 2015.
2015
Other Outputs
The Ethics of Food Supply: weighs the merits of genetic crop manipulation
Wijerathna, Akila (2015, 09 01). The Ethics of Food Supply: weighs the merits of genetic crop manipulation LMD 193-193.
2015
Other Outputs
Identifying the function and biological role of novel protein (ABA receptor-like protein) and its interactor proteins by Y2H screen with Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA library
Yapa Mudiyanselage, Akila Maduranga Wijerathna (2015). Identifying the function and biological role of novel protein (ABA receptor-like protein) and its interactor proteins by Y2H screen with Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA library. Jerusalem, Israel: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
2015
Journal Article
Marker assisted selection: biotechnology tool for rice molecular breeding
Wijerathna, Y.M.A.M. (2015). Marker assisted selection: biotechnology tool for rice molecular breeding. Advances in Crop Science and Technology, 3 (4) 1000187, 1-4. doi: 10.4172/2329-8863.1000187
2015
Other Outputs
Pest control: protecting the planet earth
Wijerathna, Akila (2015, 08 01). Pest control: protecting the planet earth LMD 182-182.
2015
Journal Article
Application of biotechnology in Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.): Sri Lanka
Wijerathna, Y.M.A.M. (2015). Application of biotechnology in Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.): Sri Lanka. Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology, 25 (1), 103-116. doi: 10.3329/ptcb.v25i1.24130
2015
Other Outputs
Tree conservation: blooming city
Wijerathna, Akila (2015, 07 01). Tree conservation: blooming city LMD 192-192.
2015
Other Outputs
Regenerating tourism
Wijerathna, Akila (2015, 06 01). Regenerating tourism LMD 195-195.
2015
Other Outputs
Nourishing planet earth: unearth development in rice biotechnology
Wijerathna, Akila (2015, 05 01). Nourishing planet earth: unearth development in rice biotechnology LMD 166-166.
2015
Journal Article
Application of PCR and MAS: Potential use for assessment of genetic diversity of rice germplasm in breeding programmes in developing countries
Wijerathna, Y. M.A.M., Perera, A. N. K., Hamama, I. B. and Hoang, L. (2015). Application of PCR and MAS: Potential use for assessment of genetic diversity of rice germplasm in breeding programmes in developing countries. Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science, 38 (2), 161-174.
2015
Other Outputs
In Search of Zero Waste: traces domestic waste management to townships
Wijerathna, Akila (2015, 03 01). In Search of Zero Waste: traces domestic waste management to townships LMd 169-169.
2014
Journal Article
Exploration of relationship between fragrant gene and growth performances of fragrant rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings under salinity stress
Wijerathna, Y. M. A. M., Kottearachchi, N. S., Gimhani, D. R. and Sirisena, D. N. (2014). Exploration of relationship between fragrant gene and growth performances of fragrant rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings under salinity stress. Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences, 2 (1), 7-12.
2013
Journal Article
Evaluation of seedling growth in fragrant rice (Oryza sativa) germplasms under salinity stress
Wijerathna, Y.M.A.M., Kottearachchi, N.S., Gimhani, D.R. and Sirisena, D.N. (2013). Evaluation of seedling growth in fragrant rice (Oryza sativa) germplasms under salinity stress. Asian Journal of Food and Agro-Industry, 6 (5), 251-259.
2012
Journal Article
Advances of Basic Molecular Biology Techniques: Potential to Apply in Plant Viroid Detection in Sri Lanka
Wijerathna, Yapa M.A.M. (2012). Advances of Basic Molecular Biology Techniques: Potential to Apply in Plant Viroid Detection in Sri Lanka. International Journal of Phytopathology, 1 (1), 88-93. doi: 10.33687/phytopath.001.01.0020
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Akila Wijerathna Yapa is:
- Available for supervision
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Media
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