Nilu is a Molecular and biochemical Parasitologist and a Senior Lecturer in Biological Science with a background in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. She obtained her doctorate from Durham University, UK, and specialised in Toxoplasma gondii drug target research. She graduated with BSc (Hons) in Biological sciences the at University of Colombo, Sri Lanka and majored in Immuno-parasitology with emphasis on recombinant vaccine research for Malaria.

Nilu is passionate about her teaching and has over 13 years of university teaching experience with a range of UG and PG degree programmes in Biomedical, Biological, Life, and Health Sciences and foundation degrees. Currently, she teaches on the MBChB Phase I programme at Bolton School of Medicine. She is the unit lead for MCBG and MEH.

She has taught in several universities, including Russell Group and Collegiate universities. In her previous employment at Chester Medical School, she was the programme leader for the BSc in Biomedical Science. During her tenure at the University of Westminster, she was the course leader for FDSc in Biomedical and Physiological Sciences and co-course leader for BSc Applied Biomedical Science (apprenticeships).

Nilu is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Science. She is a member of HUCBMS and ESLTIS and is involved in knowledge exchange and networking activities. She is a regular attendee at the UK bioscience education summit and a delegate of Sri Lankan Expatriates in the UK (for NSF). Nilu is keen on developing partnerships with industry, the NHS and the community & outreach activities to align with the widening participation strategy of the Institute of Medical Sciences. She likes public engagement and awareness activities and believes in the good impact on society.

Research Interests and Research Subject Specialisms:
Molecular and biochemical parasitology, Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular biology and biomedical sciences.
Pedagogic research in interactive teaching and learning innovations in understanding Molecular Biosciences.

Teaching specialisms;
Biological and Biomedical Sciences for Phase I in MBChB programme
Unit lead for: Medical Cell Biology and Genetics, Metabolism, Endocrinology and Haematology.

Publications and Research:
Wansadhipathi-Kannangara N K (2011) Sphingolipid synthases of Toxoplasma gondii and other organisms, Doctoral thesis, Durham University

Pratt S, Wansadhipathi-Kannangara N K, Bruce C R, Mina J G, Shams-Eldin H, Casas J, Hanada K, Schwarz R T, Sonda S and Denny P W (2013), Sphingolipid synthesis and scavenging in the intracellular apicomplexan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, Journal of Molecular a d Biochemical Parasitology, 187, 43-51

Mina J G, Okada Y, Wansadhipathi-Kannangara N K, Pratt S, Shams-Eldin H, Schwarz R T, Steel P G, Fawcett T and Denny P W (2010), Functional analyses of differentially expressed isoforms of the Arabidopsis inositol phosphorylceramide synthase, Journal of Plant Molecular Biology, 73, 399-407

Mina J G, Pan S, Wansadhipathi N K, Bruce C R, Shams-Eldin H, Schwarz R T, Steel P G and Denny P W (2009), The Trypanosoma brucei sphingolipd synthase, an essential enzyme and drug target, Journal of Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology, 168, 16-23

Premarathne P H, Wansadhipathi N K, Wickremarachchi W T A, Perera K L R L, Bandara S, Handunnetti S M and Udagama-Randeniya P V (2005), Comparison of the two different recombinant proteins representing region II of the Duffy Binding protein of Plasmodium vivax by assaying for natural antibodies, Annual proceedings of Allergy and Immunology society of Sri Lanka and FIMSA, B-4

Wansadhipathi N K, Wickremarachchi W T A, Perera K L R L, Bandara S, Longacre S, Handunnetti S M and Udagama-Randeniya P V (2004), Human antibody responses to the Plasmodium vivax Duffy Binding protein in Sri Lanka, Annual proceedings of University of Colombo Joint (Faculties of Science and Medicine) academic sessions, 29

Professional Online Profile Links
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nilu-wansadhipathi-kannangara-phd-fhea-fibms-4909732a/
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nilu_Wansadhipathi-Kannangara