Meet Sri Lankan Researcher — Thimanthi Withana
What are you currently working on or worked on before?
Currently, I’m working on 2 projects. One is studying the timing of the Spheno-occipital Synchondrosis (SOS) fusion in patients with craniosynostosis. The other is a pictorial review of soft tissue calcifications (STC)’s in the Head and Neck region.
Previously, I have completed projects in Oroantral Communication, Upper airway predictions in orthographic cases, and Cardiotoxicity effects of Doxorubicin.
I am currently attached to Case Western Reserve University, USA.
What encouraged you to pursue your research topic?
Right now, the diagnostic standard of care in dentistry in orthodontics is transitioning to cone beam CT technology. Additionally, other technologies such as intraoral scanning it is also gaining traction. So, I’m interested in doing orthodontic clinical research by incorporating these new technologies as they have the potential of being a powerhouse of data.
You can find my publications here.
Where do you find your best inspiration for your work?
I have the perspective of being a clinician as well as a researcher. So many times, I get inspired when seeing patients with various rare syndromes which then inspires us to study and try to fill the gaps in the literature.
What’s one of your biggest personal achievements so far?
Receiving the AADR Bloc Grant would probably be the biggest achievement in my research career thus far. The AADR is the American Association of Dental Research, and they offer grants funded by the NIDCR (National Institute Dental & Craniofacial Research) of the NIH (National Institute of Health) based on merits to abstracts submitted to the IADR (International Association of dental research) general sessions.
Being chosen to present at the most important dental research conference in the world in itself is an achievement, but receiving the grant was the icing on top.
What lessons would you share with a budding researcher?
Try different things — different topics, different types of research (clinical vs. benchtop research), and different labs. In my experience, the environment of the lab and the support from your PI (principal investigator) can heavily shape your experience in research. The first lab you may join might not be the ideal lab for you, so don’t be afraid to look around, shadow, and ask questions from current lab members before you settle into a lab and projects.
What motivated you to be a researcher?
It was the combination of enjoying the lab practicals, and the requirement to participate in research for at least one semester in my major in university that initially drove me into research. But I enjoyed applying techniques learned in class to projects that could have real-world application and contribute to society on a greater level that I continued it for three years afterward.
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?
The Sri Lankan education system centers mostly around theoretical knowledge but I think it needs to find a balance of theoretical with applied knowledge. Even in the undergraduate studies, they could incorporate a class which discusses the conceptualization, study design and completion of a mini-research project. Additionally, it should foster and support a culture of curiosity and questioning for students.
