Dr. Thilina Lakmini Gunathilaka is a graduate of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, holding a BSc in Human Biology with a specialization in Food and Nutrition. She furthered her academic journey by earning a Ph.D. in the fields of biochemistry, natural product chemistry, and cancer biology, in collaboration with the Industrial Research Institute.
In 2021, she received the prestigious Young Innovators Award (1st runner-up) in recognition of the groundbreaking findings of her Ph.D. research. She also received two merit awards for her exceptional oral presentations at the 8th and 10th Young Scientists Forum symposia in 2019 and 2021, acknowledging her outstanding contributions.
Currently, Dr. Gunathilaka serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Basic Science and Social Science for Nursing in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Colombo. Dr. Thilina Gunathilaka’s expertise encompasses biochemistry, natural product chemistry, and cancer biology. Her ongoing research endeavors focus on innovative approaches to address various disease conditions, including diabetes and cancer, by harnessing the potential of natural products.