Meet Sri Lankan Researcher — Ashan Musafer

What are you currently working on?

Development of genomic and epigenetic biomarkers for cancer diagnostics and personalised therapeutics

What encouraged you to pursue this topic?

I am a firm believer in using genomics and the latest technological advancements to accurately diagnose diseases at an early stage

What methodology are you using or used for your research?

I used Droplet Digital PCR

Where are you currently based?

I worked at the Translational Genomics and Epigenomics Group of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute (Melbourne, Australia) for the last 4 years. However, I am currently shifting my career focus from research to commercial industries

Where do you find your best inspiration for your work?

Observing my surroundings and feeling the pain of cancer patients make me work harder every day

What do you hope to achieve with your research?

The possibility of detecting cancers at an earlier stage to treat them better and save lives.

Can you share with us some of your publications?

Yes, of course. You can find it here.

What’s one of your biggest personal achievements so far?

My biggest achievement was being part of a group that was able to translate a research method into a fully accredited medical test.

What lessons would you share with a budding researcher?

Always be open to new ideas, and take criticism as an opportunity to learn

What motivates you to be a researcher?

My motivation comes from the understanding that technology is rapidly evolving and it’s only a matter of time that better healthcare diagnostics will significantly improve people’s lives To play my role and be a part of that healthcare transformation truly excites me

What are the changes the Sri Lankan education system needs to meet the requirement of high tech industries?

At the grassroots level, Sri Lanka needs to educate the teachers to be more flexible and open. This will seed creativity within budding scientist resulting in innovative idea generation. At a more advanced level, students should be given the opportunity to take part in industry forums to share their ideas and listen to expert advice. By creating such a supportive educational infrastructure, Sri Lanka can use local talent to improve every industry while moving towards self-sustainability.