Professor Jennifer Perera

Professor Jenifer Perera completed her doctoral studies in Medical Microbiology in 1986 and became a Professor in Microbiology 2001 and previously held the position of Chair Professor in Microbiology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. She has completed a PG Diploma in Medical Education and Women’s studies from Universities of Dundee and Colombo respectively and also completed a MBA from University of Wales. She is a fellow of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists and National Academy of Sciences of Sri Lanka.

Professor Jenifer has trained and examined undergraduates for 38 years and postgraduates for 30 years and has served in numerous committees related to curriculum and examinations in the faculty. She was an active member in the re -orientation of medical curriculum that was launched in 1996. She has attended numerous staff development programs for self-development and later became a resource person for staff development programs.

She has contributed to Microbiology related sciences through conduct of research and in the process contributed to human resource development, Pioneered the use of Molecular Biology for the diagnosis of infectious diseases in general and specifically tuberculosis in Sri Lanka, Contributed to the literature on  rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis and drug resistance of M tuberculosis using molecular methods.

Professor Jenifer has won NSF research awards and Presidential awards for more than 10 years and numerous awards for best oral and poster presentations in scientific sessions locally and overseas.

She has research interests including women’s health and career and medical education, and conducted research on improving educational achievement of students.

Professor Jenifer has contributed as a member of numerous consultative meetings in relation to infectious diseases, health, research, women’s health and education most of which were held as consultations leading to policy and/ or  action plan formulation.