SUSL Staff Directory

Dr. Chaminda N. Walpita

Position: Senior Lecturer

walpitacn@agri.sab.ac.lk

Qualifications

  • PhD (Biology) 2008. Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Catholic University of Leuven), Belgium. A four year PhD program in the department of Biology,  Laboratory of Comparative Endocrinology, where in the influence of Thyroid Hormones on embryonic development were studied using zebrafish as a teleost model. Predominantly, target gene knock-down by morpholinos, gene expressions using real-time quantitative PCR, hormone and deiodinase enzyme assays were used.
  • International training on “Food safety management, quality assurance systems and risk analysis” in Belgium, conducted by Ghent University, Belgium
  • International training on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), conducted by Central Environmental Authority, Sri Lanka. 2014
  • MSc Aquaculture 2004. Ghent University, Belgium (Great Distinction). This international masters program in Aquaculture was completed as the best student of the year, with a research titled “The influence of stress on thyroid hormone production and peripheral deiodination in the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)”.
  • Diploma in Complementary studies in Aquaculture 2003. Ghent University, Belgium (Greatest Distinction). This international diploma program in Aquaculture was completed as the best student of the year 2002-2003. A compulsory one semester study was done in Wageningen University, The Netherlands
  • BSc Agriculture 1998. This four year degree was obtained with a second class upper division. Specialization was done in animal science and the thesis specialization in Aquaculture, titled  “The influence of major water sources on white-spot and yellow-head virus diseases outbreak in Shrimps”

Research Publication in Indexed Journals

  1. Premadasa SHK, Rathnayake RMKT, Thiranagama W and Walpita CN 2018. Remodeling the educational usage of fecebook in smart-mobile age. Education and Information technologies, p 1-21 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639
  2. Pratheeba Yogendrarajah, Liesbeth Jacxsens, Carl Lachat, Chaminda N Walpita, Patrick Kolsteren, Sarah De Saeger, Bruno De Meulenaer, 2014; Public health risk associated with the co-occurrence of mycotoxins in spices consumed in Sri Lanka. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 74, 240-248. 
  3. Walpita C N, Crawford A D, Van der Geyten S, Darras V M 2010. Combined antisense knockdown of type 1 and type 2 deiodinase disrupts embryonic development in zebrafish Danio rerio. General and comparative endocrinology. 166 :134-141
  4. Walpita C N, Crawford A D, Janssens E D R, Van der Geyten S, Darras V M 2008. Type 2 iodothyronine deiodinase is essential for thyroid hormone-dependent embryonic development and pigmentation in zebrafish. Endocrinology. 150: 530-539
  5. Walpita C N, Van der Geyten S, Rurangwa E, Darras V M 2007. The effect of 3,5,3’-triiodothyronine supplementation on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryonic development and expression of iodothyronine deiodinases and thyroid hormone receptors. Gen Comp Endocrinol 152:206-214.
  6. Walpita CN, Grommen VH, Darras VM, Van der Geyten S 2007. The influence of stress on thyroid hormone production and peripheral deiodination in the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Gen Comp Endocrinol 150:18-25
  7. Ratnayake RMG, Sivananthawerl, Walpita CN, Edirisinghe U 2011. Determination of Optimum Male: Female Ratio and Salinity Level for Larval Production of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man 1879) under Sri Lankan Conditions. Tropical Agriculture Research. 22 (4): 410 – 415

Published as full paper at the National/International Conferences/Symposium

1) AC Wickramasinghe and CN Walpita 2014. Development of high quality chicken sausage by incorporating soybean oil, sunflower oil and cod-liver oil. International symposium on Agriculture and environment. 27th November 2014. University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. P 255-258.

2) PG Tharanga, KAS Kasthurirathna, CN Walpita 2014. Captive Breeding of Channa striata (snakehead): an endogenous fish species in Sri lanka. International symposium on Agriculture and environment. 27th November 2014. University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. P 265-268.

3) Walpita C N, Crawford A D, and  Darras V M 2013. Thyroid regulation in teleost embryonic regulation – can it be a promise for aquaculture. Proceedings of Larvi 2013, Sixth fish and shell-fish larviculture symposium,Ghent University, Belgium. 2-5 September 2013. Pp 481-484

4) Walpita C N, Darras V M 2011. Thyroid Endocrine System as an indicator for detecting functional and molecular level modification in fish, caused by stress and environmental changes. Proceedings of the International Conference on the Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture (ICICCA), 20th December 2011, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. Pp 193-199

5) Hirimuthugoda N Y, Jayawardane C, Walpita C N, Athauda A R S B, Perera P A C T, Edirisinghe U 2011 Fisheries biotechnology in Sri Lanka; past, present and the future. Invited review. Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Biotechnology in Animal Production, Kandy, Sri Lanka. Pp 99-104


Published in abstract/Extended abstract at the National/International Conferences/Symposium

1) Perera W P T N, Walpita C N and Perera S J, 2018. Current status of taxonomy and biogeography of family Channidae (Snakeheads) of Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the 8th Annual Research Session of Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. 19th December 2018

2) Priyanath H M S, Premadasa H K and Walpita C N, 2018. The impact of health care cost on living condition of farmers who suffer from CKDu: a case from Rideemaliyadda area in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the 8th Annual Research Session of Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. 19th December 2018

3) Priyanath H M S, Premadasa H K S, Malavipathirana S and Walpita C N, 2018. Strength of social capital on living condition of CKDu patients: a case from Rideemaliyadda area in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the International Conference of Chronic Kidney Disease of Uncertain Eitiology (CKDu), Post Graduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, 8-9 December 2018

4) Athula J A, Walpita C N, Ruwandeepika H A D, Thilakasiri T N S, Dayananda E G R, Thilakasiri W D K C and Chandrarathna P N, 2018. Stock health of commercially important Penaeid shrimps in Sri Lanka; A comprehensive molecular based study on six diseases found in the region. Proceedings of the twenty fourth scientific sessions of the Sri Lanka Association for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, University of Kelaniya. 08th June 2018.

5) Digoarachchi D A S U and Walpita C N, 2018. Determination of geographical variations of heavy metals in Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares). Proceedings of the Second international research symposium of Uwa Wellassa University, 1-2nd Feb. 2018.

6)G.L.A.Subhashini, K.W.S. Ariyawansa, P.H.Ginigadderage, K.S.Hettiarachchi & C.N. Walpita, 2016. Microbial safety of oysters (Crassostreamadrasensis) harvested from Kalpitiya lagoon in Sri Lanka. International Conference of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa university f Sri Lanka.

7) Walpita CN and RDRG Abeyrathne, 2016. Relationship between Redox Potential & pH in pond Water; A possible prediction of algae crashes in shrimp farming. Proceedings of Wayamba University International Conference, Wayamba University, Sri Lanka.

8) Walpita CN 2015. Captive breeding of freshwater fish species: Promise for natural stock enhancement. First International conference on Environmental Management and planning. 23rd-24th February. Colombo, Sri Lanka.

9) Pratheeba Yogendrarajah, Liesbeth Jacxsens, Carl Lachat, Chaminda N Walpita, Patrick Kolsteren, Sarah De Saeger, Bruno De Meulenaer, 2014; Risk Assessment of Micotoxins in Species: a case study in Sri Lanka. World Micotoxin forum. Eighth Conference. 10-12th November, Vienna, Austria

10) Walpita C N and Jacxens L 2014. Quantitative risk assessment of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in cultured shrimps Peneaus monodon bound-to local markets in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of AgInsight 2014, International conference of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa university of Sri Lanka. p 34

11) Wijehewa T C E and Walpita C N 2014. Effect of removing adhesiveness of common carp Cyprinus carpio eggs on hatchability and larval survival. Proceedings of AgInsight 2014, International conference of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa university of Sri Lanka.  p 47

12) Madusanka S M P M and Walpita C N 2014. Development of a sausage using a shrimp processing by-product; chin cut. Proceedings of AgInsight 2014, International conference of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa university of Sri Lanka. p 57

13) Walpita C N, Darras V M 2011. Egg laying ability of zebrafish is thyroid hormone dependent. Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Biotechnology in Animal Production, Kandy, Sri Lanka. Pp 47-48

14)Tharanga PG, Kasthurirathna KAS and Walpita CN 2014. Captive breeding of Channa striata (Snakehead), an endogenous fish species in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the fourth annual research session of Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

15) Kumara P S, Walpita C N, Mudalige A R 2011. Some aspects of captive breeding and larval feeding of Devario aequipinatus, an indigenous fish species in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Agriculture and Environment 09th November 2011. University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. P 84

16) Herath H M G P, Walpita C N, Munasinghe M A J P, Epasinghe M 2011. Growth and survival rate of guppy (Poecilia reticulate) fry fed with decapsulated and hatched Artemia. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Agriculture and Environment 09th November 2011. University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. P 86

17) Rathnayake R M G, Walpita C N, Edirisinghe U 2011. Identification of natural breeding season of Macrobrachium rosenbergii under Sri Lankan conditions and socio-economic status of prawn catches in Deduru oya. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Agriculture and Environment 09th November 2011. University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. P 89

18) Walpita C N, Kumari Y T G 2010. Effects of goitrogens in aquatic environment on reproductive ability and thyroid axis in zebrafish Danio rerio. Proceedings of the Third International Symposium of the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, p 130

19) Walpita C N 2010. Morpholino knock-down as a tool to understand the effects of thyroid hormones on zebrafish   (Danio rerio) embryonic development. Proceedings of the Third International Symposium of the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, p 53

20) Walpita C N, Kumari Y T G, Rurangwa E 2010. Developing vitrification protocols for Cryopreserving zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. Proceedings of the Third International Symposium of the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, pp 132

21) Walpita CN, Van Der Geyten S, Darras VM 2010. Thyroid hormones are essential for zebrafish embryonic development. Abstracts of the first annual research sessions of Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, 02 Dec. 2010

22) Walpita C N, Crawford A D, Darras V M 2008. “ Type 2 iodothyronine deiodinase is essential for embryonic development and pigmentation in zebrafish (Danio rerio)” in the 24th Conference of European Comparative Endocrinologists, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy. 2-6 Sept.

23) Darras V M, Walpita C N, Crawford A D, Danneels E L, Van Herck S L J 2007. “Study of the role of iodothyronine type 2 deiodinase in embryonic development using morpholino and RNAi technology” in the 78th Annual meeting of American thyroid association, New York, USA. 4-7 Oct.

24) Walpita C N, Danneels E L, Crawford A D, Darras V M 2007. “Role of thyroid hormones in zebrafish embryonic development” in the European zebrafish genetics and development meeting, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 12-15 July

25) Walpita C N, Van der Geyten S, Rurangwa E, Darras V M 2006. “The involvement of thyroid hormones in zebrafish embryonic development” in the 13th Benelux congress of zoology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium. 27-28 Oct.

26) Walpita C N, Van der Geyten S, Rurangwa E, Darras V M 2006. “Thyroid hormones are involved in early embryonic development in zebrafish” in the 23rd Conference of European Comparative Endocrinologists, University of Manchester, United Kingdom. 29 Aug – 02 Sept.

27) Kasthurirathne S, Chandrarathna N and Walpita C N 2013. Determination of optimum stocking density for carp fingerling transportation. Proceedings of National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) scientific sessions 2013. p 6

28) Wijerathne V H and Walpita C N 2013. Effectiveness of probiotics in controlling Vibrio in shrimp culture system in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) scientific sessions 2013. p 8.  

29) Kumara P K M P, Mudalige A R and Walpita C N 2013. Captive breeding of Esomus thermoicos (flying barb), an endemic freshwater fish in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) scientific sessions 2013. p 11.

30) Wijewardane V, Jayaweera TSP, Walpita CN, Gajanayake TN 2002. Occurrences of photosensitization in cattle in the Boralanda area – Sri lanka,. 54th Annual Convention and Scientific Sessions of Sri Lanka Veterinary association. Sri Lanka.

31) Walpita CN, Edirisinghe U, Jayasinghe JMPK 1999. The influence of major water sources on white-spot and yellow-head virus diseases outbreak in Shrimps. Annual Seminar Sessions of University of Peradeniya. Sri Lanka.

 


Chapters and Books of Scholarly Work

Walpita C N, Van Der Geyten S, Darras V M 2008. The use of zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model organism to study the role of thyroid hormones in embryonic development of teleost fish.  Faculty of Science, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium. ISBN 978-90-8649-208-4


Recognized National/International awards for learning, research and teaching

  • VLIR (Flemish Interuniversity council, Belgium) scholarship to follow “International Training Program on “Food safety management, quality assurance systems and risk analysis”
  • Outstanding oral presentation award for “Egg laying ability of zebrafish is thyroid hormone dependent” in the 16th International Conference on Biotechnology in Animal Production, Kandy, Sri Lanka.
  • Awarded a certificate for outstanding research contribution in aquaculture in 2011, by Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka at the university day 2012.
  • Best Presenter of the session “Molecular Biology and Biotechnology” of the Third International Symposium of the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. 26-28 August, 2010.
  • Best Presenter of the session “Aquatic Resources” of the Third International Symposium of the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. 26-28 August, 2010
  • Best Student in the year 2003-2004, in Aquaculture M.Sc. (University of Gent, Belgium) Advance studies – 77% average, Grate Distinction
  • Best student in the year 2002-2003, in Aquaculture M.Sc. (University of Gent, Belgium) complementary studies - 84% average, Greatest Distinction.
  • Four year IRO (Interuniversity Research body, Katholieke University of Leuven, Belgium) scholarship (2004-2008) to follow PhD in fish biology, KULeuven, Belgium.
  • Two year VLIR (Flemish Interuniversity council, Belgium) scholarship (2002-2004) to follow “International Course Program on “Masters in Aquaculture”, Ghent University, Belgium.
  • Second best performances in Animal science module, B.Sc. Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka –1999.
  • CIC scholarship for most meritorious students in the faculty of agriculture, University of Peradeniya, 1996
  • Best student, 2300 series, B.Sc. Agriculture, University of Peradeniya. Sri Lanka – GPA :3.5 (1996)
  • Best individual performance for Animal science in 3200 & 4100 series exams University of Peradeniya, 1997, 1998.