Research & Grants

Research Interests

  • Research interest - 1
  • Research interest - 2

Research Grants

  • 2016 -2019   Reducing cardiometabolic risk by addressing adolescent health and nutrition (20162018). Ongoing doctoral project working on body composition and energy expenditure through stable isotopes and development of an intervention programme.

    Financial support – International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Technical Corporation grant no SRL 6035. (Main counterpart)

  • 2014 to date      Longitudinal measures of body composition from 0 to 24 months – Multicenter study. The Sri Lankan arm is within an ongoing doctoral project with a student registered at the University of Colombo.

    Financial support – IAEA CRP (co  investigator)

  • 2014 – date   Micronutrient status obesity, cardiometabolic markers including body composition in 7-9 year old primary school children – ongoing Mphil project.

    Financial support – National Science Foundation research Contract grant no: RG/2014/HS/09 (principal investigator and grant holder)

  • 2008 to date   Improving accuracy of dietary estimation : development  and validation of Portion Size Assessment tools in the form of photographs, line diagrams and realistic food models  for Sri Lankan populations. No financial assistance
  • 2010 – 2014 Body composition analysis, biochemical risk markers and lifestyle in identifying risk of dysglycaemia and relationship to body fat in urban adult women in Sri Lanka and effectiveness of a culturally appropriate nutrition and lifestyle modification counseling programme for reduction of cardiovascular disease risk.  Doctoral project with PhD awarded in 2014.

    Financial support –

    1. International Atomic Energy Authority (IAEA) Research Contract, grant no 15920: (2009-2012). (co investigator)
    2. University of Colombo Research grant AP 03 (Principal Investigator and grant holder).

  • 2013 – 2014 Iron and Vitamin A status and effect of supplementation among healthy infants funded by the National Science Foundation (co investigator- not grant holder)
  • 2012 – 2014 Hydration status and micronutrient status in national level athletes. Funded by the Department of Biochemistry
  • 2008 – 2010 Assessment of Body Composition and Improving Micronutrient Health status of Adolescent girls through Dietary Modification – Doctoral project with PhD awarded in 2012 :

    Financial support –

    1. International Atomic Energy Authority (IAEA) Technical Cooperation Project no: SRL/6030 (2008-2011).  (Co Investigator ).
    2. Nutrition Coordination Division of the Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition. Grant No: 2.1.b.G/vi (2008-2011) (Co investigator).

Supervision of Postgraduate - PhD/MPhil/ MSc Research

  • 2016 to date   Co supervisor, School-based physical activity intervention in 11-13 year -old adolescents. Ongoing. Doctoral student registered for PhD, University of Colombo.
  • 2017 to date  Co supervisor, Obesogenic behaviors, their correlates and cardio-metabolic risk among 11-13 year old school children in Colombo Municipal Council area. Ongoing. Doctoral student registered for part time PhD, University of Colombo.
  • 2014 to date   Co supervision Longitudinal measures of body composition in 0 to 24-month old infants. Ongoing. Doctoral student registered for part time PhD, university of Colombo.
  • 2016 to date  Co supervisor Micronutrient status and obesity, in 9-year old primary school children. Ongoing doctoral student registered for PhD.
  • 2019   Co supervisor, Resting energy expenditure in healthy adults and alpha -tocopherol content in palm oil on repeated frying. MSc completed.
  • 2019   Co supervisor, Development of a thermogenic index for protein-rich foods and applying it to a test meal. MSc completed.
  • 2016  Co supervisor – Association between fat free mass and iron status in overweight women.  MSc awarded in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Colombo.
  • 2015   Principal Supervisor: Iron status, Vitamin A status, total energy intake and associated factors among female field hockey players. MSc awarded. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Colombo
  • 2014   Principal Supervisor: Body composition analysis, biochemical risk markers and its application in identifying risk of body fat related co-morbidities and evaluation of nutritional intervention for risk reduction in Diabetes Mellitus. PhD awarded, University of Colombo.
  • 2013    Principal Supervisor: Hydration status in athletes: urine osmolality and specific gravity. MSc awarded. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Colombo
  • 2013   Principal Supervisor: Chemical nutrient analysis and cafeteria food consumption patterns. MSc awarded. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Colombo
  • 2013   Principal Supervisor: Chemical analysis of Sodium and Potassium content of fruits and vegetables. MSc awarded. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Colombo
  • 2012    Co supervisor: Assessment of body composition and micronutrient status of out of school adolescent girls. PhD awarded, University of Colombo