Dr Harindra Sathkumara Mudiyanselage ~ Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Dr. Harindra Sathkumara is a highly dedicated postdoctoral researcher currently affiliated with Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine at James Cook University (JCU). With a strong background in immunology and infectious diseases, his current research endeavors revolve around understanding complex immune mechanisms underlying tuberculosis (TB); a highly infectious and potentially life-threatening disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb).

As an early career researcher, he has made significant contributions to the field of TB immunology. His research focuses on unraveling the immune correlates of BCG vaccination and protection against tuberculosis (TB) in humans as well as understanding the intricate mechanisms underlying tuberculosis susceptibility, vaccine efficacy and disease interactions in high-risk populations, particularly in individuals with HIV/AIDS and type 2 diabetes, contributing to a deeper understanding of tuberculosis immunology.

Harindra's research findings have featured in prestigious scientific journals such as PNAS and Science Advances and has also been presented at numerous national and international conferences, further contributing to the scientific community's knowledge and understanding.

Driven by a passion for advancing knowledge and improving human health, Harindra has received several notable awards, and scholarships throughout his academic journey. These include the JCU's Dean's Award for Research Higher Degree Excellence and the prestigious Early Career Scientist Award from the CTVD-Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, highlighting the exceptional contributions to the field.

With a commitment to excellence and a relentless pursuit of scientific breakthroughs, Harindra engages in collaborative efforts with fellow scientists, clinicians, and industry professionals. 

LinkedIn

ORCiD

Interests

Research

• Novel anti-TB vaccines
• TB immunology
• Trained Immunity

Experience

• 2023 to present - Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University (Cairns, Australia)
• 2022 to 2023 - General Manager, Green Laboratories Lanka (Pvt) Ltd (Colombo, Sri Lanka)
• 2021 to 2023 - Application Scientist & Research Development Lead, Avon Pharmo Chem (Pvt) Ltd (Colombo, Sri Lanka)
• 2020 to 2021 - Postdoctoral Research Fellow, IBMBB, University of Colombo (Colombo, Sri Lanka)
• 2020 - Lecturer in Medical Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Wayamba University (Sri Lanka)
• 2016 to 2020 - PhD Candidate, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University (Townsville, Australia)
• 2014 to 2016 - Research Scientist, Genetech Research Institute (GRI) (Colombo, Sri Lanka)
• 2013 to 2015 - Masters Student, IBMBB, University of Colombo (Colombo, Sri Lanka)

Research Disciplines

• Medical microbiology (3207)
• Clinical sciences (3202)
• Microbiology (3107)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Expanding knowledge (2801)

Awards

• 2021 - NRC Merit Award for Scientific Research
• 2021 - Dean’s Award for Research Higher Degree (PhD) Excellence - JCU
• 2020 - CTVD Early Career Scientist Award - Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
• 2020 - Scholarship for ‘Tuberculosis: Science Aimed at Ending the Epidemic’ - Keystone Symposia
• 2020 - Australasian Society of Immunology Postgraduate International Travel Awards
• 2019 - President’s Awards for Scientific Research
• 2016 - ICGEB Scholarship for Training Courses
• 2016 - Travelling Fellowship - Overseas Special Training Programme (OSTP)
• 2014 - Research Grant for Medical Research in Primary, Immunodeficiencies - Medical Research Institute (MRI), Sri Lanka
• 2016 to 2020 - AITHM PhD Scholarship
• 2018 to 2019 - JCU Higher Degree by Research Enhancement Scheme (HDRES)

Memberships

• 2016 - Australian and New Zealand Society for Immunology (ASI)
• 2013 - Allergy and Immunology Society of Sri Lanka (AISSL)

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Enjeti A, Sathkumara H and Kupz A (2023) Impact of the gut-lung axis on tuberculosis susceptibility and progression. Frontiers in Microbiology, 14. pp. 1-8
• Heijmenberg I, Husain A, Sathkumara Mudiyanse H, Muruganandah V, Seifert J, Miranda-Hernandez S, Kashyap R, Field M, Krishnamoorthy G and Kupz A (2021) ESX-5-targeted export of ESAT-6 in BCG combines enhanced immunogenicity & efficacy against murine tuberculosis with low virulence and reduced persistence. Vaccine, 39 (50). pp. 7265-7276
• Sathkumara H, Eaton J, Field M, Govan B, Ketheesan N and Kupz A (2021) A murine model of tuberculosis/type 2 diabetes comorbidity for investigating the microbiome, metabolome and associated immune parameters. Animal Models and Experimental Medicine, 4 (2). pp. 181-188
• Muruganandah V, Sathkumara H, Pai S, Rush C, Brosch R, Waardenberg A and Kupz A (2020) A systematic approach to simultaneously evaluate safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of novel tuberculosis vaccination strategies. Science Advances, 6 (10).
• Sathkumara H, Hansen K, Miranda-Hernandez S, Govan B, Rush C, Henning L, Ketheesan N and Kupz A (2020) Disparate effects of metformin on Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in diabetic and nondiabetic mice. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 65 (1).
• Sathkumara H, Muruganandah V, Cooper M, Field M, Alim M, Brosch R, Ketheesan N, Govan B, Rush C, Henning L and Kupz A (2020) Mucosal delivery of ESX-1–expressing BCG strains provides superior immunity against tuberculosis in murine type 2 diabetes. National Academy of Sciences. Proceedings, 117 (34). pp. 20848-20859
• Alim M, Sikder S, Sathkumara Mudiyanselage H, Kupz A, Rush C, Govan B and Ketheesan N (2019) Dysregulation of key cytokines may contribute to increased susceptibility of diabetic mice to Mycobacterium bovis BCG infection. Tuberculosis, 115. pp. 113-120
• Sathkumara H, Pai S, de Jesús Aceves-Sánchez M, Ketheesan N, Flores-Valdez M and Kupz A (2019) BCG vaccination prevents reactivation of latent lymphatic murine tuberculosis independently of CD4+ T cells. Frontiers in Immunology, 10.
• Muruganandah V, Sathkumara H, Navarro S and Kupz A (2018) A systematic review: the role of resident memory T cells in infectious diseases and their relevance for vaccine development. Frontiers in Immunology, 9. pp. 1-21
• Sathkumara H, Merritt A, Corea E, Krishnananthasivam S, Natesan M, Inglis T and De Silva A (2018) Clinical, Bacteriologic, and Geographic Stratification of Melioidosis Emerges from the Sri Lankan National Surveillance Program. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 98 (2). pp. 607-615
• Krishnananthasivam S, Jayathilaka N, Sathkumara H, Corea E, Natesan M and De Silva A (2017) Host gene expression analysis in Sri Lankan melioidosis patients. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 11 (6).
• Krishnananthasivam S, Sathkumara H, Corea E, Natesan M and De Silva A (2017) Gene Expression Profile of Human Cytokines in Response to Burkholderia pseudomallei Infection. mSphere, 2 (2).

More

ResearchOnline@JCU stores 16+ research outputs authored by Dr Harindra Sathkumara Mudiyanselage from 2015 onwards.

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.