Professor S.Tharanga Thoradeniya

Tharanga Thoradeniya is a Professor at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. She obtained her Bachelor of Veterinary Science (B.V.Sc) degree with distinctions from the University of Peradeniya, and her Ph.D. in Nutritional Biochemistry from the University of Colombo. She is a Commonwealth Academic Fellow and undertook her training at the Southampton General Hospital, UK. Prof. Thoradeniya has broad research interests and experience in metabolism and functionality of micronutrients and adipose tissues, nutrition modulation of chronic disease risk, food environment, animal welfare and ethics, alternatives and planetary-health. She is a SEDA (UK) accredited teacher in higher education and has participated at Erasmus+ staff mobility for teaching programme in Riga, Latvia. She has received several competitive research grants from International and national organizations; National research Council (NRC), National Science Foundation (NSF) and University of Colombo. She is currently the country lead of a 9-country research project on food promotion funded by the International Development Research Center (IDRC). She has several supervisions of research projects for MPhil/PhD/MD and MSc candidates. Prof. Thoradeniya has received many awards and honours for excellence in research including the President’s Awards for scientific research, NRC merit awards, National Consultative Award- International Atomic Energy Authority (IAEA) and has won many competitive awards/scholarships including IUBMB Women in Science award to disseminate her work. She has a special interest in animal ethics and welfare and was awarded the prestigious Global Animal Welfare Award in 2020 for her service and dedication in promoting welfare in research animals. Prof. Thoradeniya is a vibrant advocate for science; particularly for young scientists and women in science and held/currently holding key positions in professional associations. Her veterinary background, specialty in nutrition and experiences in the medical field well positions Prof. Thoradeniya to have a multi- and trans- disciplinary approach in her research and teaching.