Meet Sri Lankan Researcher — Chamindie Punyadeera

What are you currently working on?

Salivary Diagnostics and liquid biopsy

What encouraged you to pursue your research topic?

My brother in law passed away within 6 months of diagnosis at the age of 37 years. I saw first hand how late diagnosis can affect.

What is the name of your current institute?

Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Australia and Saliva and Liquid Biopsy Translational Research Team.

Where do you find your best inspiration for your work?

I practice yoga and meditation as well as going for walks in the morning.

Can you share with us some of your publications?

Yes absolutely, you can find it here.

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

We have been able to detect tiny cancers using saliva sampling. This is a great achievement as we now have a method to screen for head and neck cancer in the community through saliva sampling.

What lessons would you share with a budding researcher?

Have a clear vision and a mission about your career. Be strategic with your research. Embrace qualities such as networking, collaboration, cross-disciplinary research and be resilient.

What motivated you to be a researcher?

My desire to make a difference to patients with cancer.

If there is a chance, will you help build research in Sri Lanka?

Of course. I am a proud Sri Lankan and my mother always tells me to do service to the country where I was born.

According to your opinion, what are the changes that the Sri Lankan education system needs to do, in order to meet the requirement of the international industry and academia?

I am at heart a Sri Lankan. The government of Sri Lanka should fund research and infrastructure to accelerate research and development. Sri Lanka has a strong education system. However, research is constrained due to the lack of research facilities.