Meet Sri Lankan Researcher- Gamalendira Shivapatham

What are you currently working on or worked on before?

Investigating local strain distributions / sub-tendon sliding in the Achilles tendon and implications for health and disease.

What encouraged you to pursue your research topic?

I developed an interest in biomedical engineering during my undergraduate studies, after having completed MSc in Biomedical Engineering program at Brunel University London my interest further heighten in this filed.

What methodology are you using or used for your research?

My project is a combination of in-vivo biomechanics and biomedical imaging, basically developing and validating an ultrasound imaging based novel algorithm to understand regional strain distribution in human Achilles tendon.

What is the name of your current University?

Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom

Where do you find your best inspiration for your work?

I am a highly research-oriented person with a higher level of analytical skills this motivates me to be an independent researcher so doing a PhD is the only way to achieve my aim.

What do you hope to achieve with your research or what were the final outcomes of your research?

We are trying to develop a clinically useful imaging tool to help clinicians to predict tendon injury in advance and to monitor their rehabilitation program within the person with tendinopathy

Can you share with us some of your publications?

Yes, you can find it here.

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

I was recipient of Anson Fund Prize for the year of 2014/15 which is awarded for the Second Best Dissertation in Biomedical Engineering at Brunel University London, UK

What lessons would you share with a budding researcher?

The research STEM means that things will not always go according to plan. It does not mean you are a bad student. So don’t be stress or lose yourself, never give up but it is okay to take a break and then carry on

What motivated you to be a researcher?

Simply I do not like to do the same thing again and again for a long time, being a researcher is a wonderful experience which always challenges you to solve a real scientific problem.

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

Abroad, Yes

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?

Need more international collaboration with leading universities in the world. Less political influences or other influences on the requirement process.