Piyumika Madushani

Ph.D. in Molecular Biology with a specialization in zebrafish immunology, immune cell biology, and virology. Proficient in conducting advanced molecular and cellular assays. Experienced in sample preparation, data analysis, and maintaining detailed, accurate documentation of experimental outcomes. Adept at collaborating with multidisciplinary research teams and contributing to all phases of experimental design and execution. Committed to driving scientific discovery through meticulous research and innovative problem-solving.

My research focused on utilizing CRISPR/Cas9 mediated gene editing to explore the roles of key immune genes, including mxa, myd88, and trif, in response to viral and bacterial infections. I successfully created zebrafish knockout models using CRISPR/Cas9 and performed a series of viral and bacterial infection experiments that shed light on the modulation of immune cell dynamics during pathogen invasion. I have strong experience in a variety of molecular biology techniques, including cloning, PCR, and in situ hybridization, as well as skills in cell culture and biochemistry. This experience, combined with my strong background in RNA viruses and zebrafish immunology, has provided me with a deep understanding of host-pathogen interactions and innate immune mechanisms.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Marine Life Sciences
Jeju National University, South Korea 

09.2021 – 08. 2024
Dissertation: Investigating the regulatory mechanisms governing immune responses during pathogenic infections by targeting the myd88, trif, and mxa zebrafish mutants: Genomic editing by CRISPR/Cas9

Cumulative GPA: 4.30

Thesis supervisor: Professor Jehee Lee

Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Marine Life Sciences
Jeju National University, South Korea 

09.2019–08.2021
Dissertation:  The dynamics of two teleost fish immune protein response during RNA viral attack: A study on viperin from redlip mullet (Liza haematocheila) and Bcl-2 from yellowtail clownfish (Amphirion clarkii)

Cumulative GPA: 4.23