I have graduated from the University of Jaffna with B.Sc. honours degree in 2008 and later gained my M.Phil in 2012 from the University of Jaffna. I have got my Ph.D from Jeju National University, South Korea in 2016. I teach Cell Biology, Molecular Immunology, Marine Biology and Animal Histology.

Membership in professional organizations:

• Member, Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka
• Life Member Jaffna Science Association
• Student member, World Aquaculture Society 2015-2016.
• Member, Young Scientist Forum, Sri Lanka

Contributions:

• Academic Counselor: September 2020 onwards
• Student Counselor: 2017 to 2019
• Senior Treasurer of the Zoological Student Association (ZSA) of the Department of Zoology – 2018 onwards
• Member of the Monitoring committee of the of the Gender Equity and Equality Center (GEEC) of the University of Jaffna (2018-2019)
• Activity coordinator for the world bank funded project – AHEAD ELTA ELSE of the Faculty DP, Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna, 2019 onwards
• Proposal writing team member, AHEAD ELTA ELSE, Department of Zoology, University of Jaffna
• Coordinator for the Certificate course in Molecular Biology Laboratory Techniques – 2018
• Secretary of the first Vingnanam International Research Conference – 2018 (VIRC 2018), Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna.
• Member of the Career Guidance cell of the Faculty of Science in 2018

Grants:
• University of Jaffna Research Grant – 2018

Awards & Fellowships:

• AMETEC – Korean Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) International Fellowship to attend two weeks training on Passive air sampling: Long range transport of pollutants at KIOST, South Korea from to October 2012.

Umasuthan, N., Bathige, SNDK., Thulasitha, W.S., Oh, M. and Lee, J. 2020. Comparative Characterization of Two cxcl8 Homologs in Oplegnathus fasciatus: Genomic, Transcriptional and Functional Analyses. Biomolecules.2020, 10, 1382.  (Published online).
https://doi.org/10.3390/biom10101382

Nilojan,J., Bathige, SDNK., Thulasitha,W.S., Kwon,H., Jung, S., Kim,M.J., Nam, B.H. and Lee, J. 2018. Transcriptional profiling, molecular cloning, and functional analysis of C1 inhibitor, the main regulator of the complement system in black rockfish, Sebastes schlegelii. Fish & shellfish immunology. 75: 263-273.

Gunawardane, K.G.V. and Thulasitha, W.S. 2020. Detection of external parasites from ornamental cyprinids from selected aquariums in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Accepted for presentation in 27 th Annual session of Jaffna Science Association.

Subothini, G and Thulasitha, W. S. 2019. Preliminary study on the effect of 2-methyl-4- chlorophenoxy acetic acid (MCPA) on the gonadal development of zebrafish Danio rerio. Proceedings of Jaffna Science Association, Volume: 26 (1): 14

Rajapiravinthan, R and Thulasitha, W. S. 2019. Species composition and abundance of zooplankton from Ariyakulam freshwater pond, Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Proceedings of Jaffna Science Association, Volume: 26 (1): 9.

Thulasitha, W.S., Umasuthan, N., Wan, Q., Nam, B., Kang, T. and Lee, J. 2017. A proto-type galectin-2 from rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus): Molecular, genomic, and expression analysis, and recognition of microbial pathogens by recombinant protein. Developmental and Comparative Immunology. 71: 70-81.

Bathige, S.N.D.K., Thulasitha, W.S., Umasuthan, N., Jayasinghe, J.D.H.E., Wan, Q., Nam, B. and Lee, J. 2017. A homolog of teleostean signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) from rock bream Oplegnathus fasciatus: Structural insights, transcriptional modulation, and subcellular localization. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology. 186: 29-40.

Thulasitha, W.S. Umasuthan, N., Whang, I., Nam, B. and Lee, J. 2016. Antimicrobial response of galectin-1 from rock bream Oplegnathus fasciatus: Molecular, transcriptional, and biological characterization. Fish & Shellfish Immunology, 50: 66-78.

Thulasitha, W.S., Whang, I., Umasuthan, N., Kang, H., Mothishri, M.S., Lee, S., Qiang, W. and Lee, J. 2016. A galectin related protein from Oplegnathus fasciatus: Genomic, molecular, transcriptional features and biological responses against microbial pathogens. Developmental and Comparative Immunology, 56: 13-24.

Thulasitha, W.S., Umasuthan, N., Jayasooriya, R. G. P. T., Noh, J. K., Park, H. and Lee, J. 2016. A thioredoxin domain-containing protein 12 from black rockfish Sebastes schlegelii: Responses to immune challenges and protection from apoptosis against oxidative stress. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology, 185: 29-37.

Umasuthan, N., Mothishri, M.S., Thulasitha, W.S., Nam, B. and Lee, J. 2016. Molecular, genomic, and expressional delineation of a piscidin from rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus) with evidence for the potent antimicrobial activities of Of-Pis1 peptide. Fish & Shellfish Immunology, 48: 154-168.

Thulasitha, W. S., Umasuthan, N., Revathy, K.S., Whang, I and Lee, J. 2015. Molecular characterization, genomic structure and expressional profiles of a CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) from rock bream Oplegnathus fasciatus. Fish & Shellfish Immunology, 44(2): 471-477.

Umasuthan, N., S.D.N.K., Thulasitha, W.S., Qiang, W., Lim, B.S. and Lee, J. 2014. Characterization of rock bream Oplegnathus fasciatus cytosolic Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase in terms of molecular structure, genomic arrangement, stress-induced mRNA expression and antioxidant function. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 176:18-33.

Sutharshiny, S., Sivashanthini, K. and Thulasitha, W.S. 2013. Lipid changes in relation to maturation and spawning of double spotted queen fish Scomberoides lysan (Forsskal, 1775). Asian Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 8 (4):555-570.

Thulasitha, W.S. and Sivashanthini, K. 2013. Reproductive characteristics of double spotted queen fish Scomberoides lysan (Forsskal, 1775) from Sri Lankan waters: Implication for fisheries management. Acta Ichthyologica et piscatoria, 43 (1): 7–13.

Thulasitha, W.S. and Sivashanthini, K. 2013. Microscopic staging system used in the identification of Gonad developmental stages of Scomberoides lysan. Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science, 8(2): 355- 366.

Sivashanthini, K., Thulasitha, W. S. and Charles, G. A. 2010. Reproductive Characteristics of squid Sepioteuthis lessoniana (Lesson, 1830) from the Northern coast of Sri Lanka. Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science, 5(1): 12-22.

My research is focus on Aquatic animal biology, physiology and molecular biology. I have worked on gene expression analysis with special reference to molecular immunology of fish and shellfish. Currently I’m working on fish toxicogenomics and aquabiology.