Profile
My plant biotech journey began at the Wayamba University of Sri Lanka. In my undergraduate research, I Investigated soil microbial properties in potential management zones of paddy fields in the Intermediate Zone of Sri Lanka. Completing BSc degree with a specialization in Biotechnology provided me with an opportunity to pursue an MSc at Justus Liebig University (JLU) in Germany. I tried to optimize the growth of Bacillus subtilis in the presence of the SDHI-carboxamide fungicides nicobifen and fluxapyroxad for my MSc. thesis project. My willingness to work in different research teams motivated me to complete two internships: Trait assessment in disease-resistant hybrid wheat in KWS and a recombinant Uricase enzyme production project at the Institute of Bioprocess Engineering & Pharmaceutical Technology at THM. Before joining this PhD program, I was working as a research assistant in the project called Phytochemical characterization and in-vitro conservation of medicinal Qatari flora at Qatar University. I have a long-standing interest in phytopathology with a view to contributing to the advancement of the field.