Dr. GRNN Waidyarathna

PhD in Nutritional Biochemistry (USJ), BSc (Nutrition -WUSL), RD, RNutr
Lecturer in Biochemistry
Qualifications
Teaching Areas
Publications
Professional Experience
Awards
Involvement with other Organizations
Research Supervision
Other
  • Qualifications

  • Qualifications

    • PhD in Nutritional Biochemistry, University of Sri Jayewardenepura
    • B. Sc (Special) in Food Science and Nutrition (Specialized in Applied Nutrition), Wayamba University of Sri Lanka
    • SLMC Registered Dietitian (RD)
    • SLMC Registered Nutritionist (RNutr)
    • Post Graduate Diploma in Buddhist Aurvedic Concepts of Food, Medicine, and Behavioral Management- The Nagananda International Institute for Buddhist Studies, Kelaniya.
    • The Certificate of Teaching in Higher Education (CTHE) – Staff Development Center, KDU. 
  • Teaching Areas

  • Teaching Areas

    • Human Nutrition
    • Biochemistry
  • Publications

  • Publications

    • AA Abeysekara, GAI Uwanthika, WMKS Ilmini and GRNN Waidyarathna, (2024) Advanced Approaches to Diet Recommendations for Liver Disease Patients: A Systematic Literature Review, Proceedings of the17th International Research Conference KDU - 27th September 2024.
    • RMDJ Rathnayaka, SBWD Premasiri, KADL Bhagya, GRNN Waidyarathna, LAMHP Udayakumari, (2024) Dietary Intake and Nutritional Status of Selected Adolescents in Uva Province, Sri Lanka, 17th International Research Conference KDU - 27th September 2024.
    • PHN Muthumali, WMKS Ilmini and GRNN Waidyarathna, (2023) NUTRICARE: Optimizing Personalized Diet Recommendation through a Knowledge-based Approach, Proceedings of the16th International Research Conference KDU. 8th September 2023.
    • SJW Withanage, S Dias, G Nawagattegama, GRNN Waidyarathna, A Karunanayake, (2023) Enhancing Recovery and Reducing Severe Acute Malnutrition through Effective Management at MOH level, 16th International Research Conference KDU. 8th September 2023.
    • KADL Bhagya, GRNN Waidyarathna, JAEC Jayawardena, M Jayasinghe (2023) The Realistic Impact of Diet on Depression: A Holistic Review. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine Research. 7 (4):515-523.
    • Waidyaratna G.R.N.N., & Ekanayake, S. (2022) Nutrient composition and glycaemic response of nine sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) varieties in Sri Lanka, Research Conference of Faculty of Medicine - Jaffna (RCFMJ), 6th August 2022. Pp 22.
    • Waidyarathna G.R.N.N., Ekanayake S., (2021) Nutrient composition and functional properties: suitability of flour of sweet potatoes (Ipomea batatas) for incorporation into food production. Int. J. Biol. Chem. Sci. 15(3): 897-908.
    • Waidyarathna G.R.N.N., Ekanayake S., A. Chandrasekara., (2021) Comparative analysis of nutrient composition and glycaemic indices of nine sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) varieties. Int. J. Biol. Chem. Sci. 15(4): 1410-1420.
    • Waidyaratna G.R.N.N., & Ekanayake, S. (2020) Development of Ready to Eat Extruded Composite Flour Blends Incorporating Underutilized Ipomoea batatas (Sweet potatoes) Variety, The sixth International Conference on Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Plant Biomass- Opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship in Kerala. University of Kerala, India. December 2020.
    • Waidyaratna G.R.N.N., & Ekanayake, S. (2019) Selected properties of carbohydrates of some sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) varieties in Sri Lanka. 75th Annual Scientific Sessions of SLAAS (Sri Lanka Association of Advancement of Science). University of Colombo. December 2019. Pp 181.
    • Waidyaratna G.R.N.N., & Ekanayake, S. (2019) Glycemic index and glycemic load of selected Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato) cultivars available in Sri Lanka. Young Scientist Forum (YSF). 8th Symposium. January 2019. Pp 145-147.
    • Waidyaratna G.R.N.N., & Ekanayake, S. (2019) Starch characteristic of selected Ipomea batata (Sweet potatoes) cultivars in Sri Lanka. RISTCON (6th Ruhuna International Science and Technology Conference). University of Ruhuna. January 2019. Pp 152.
    • Waidyaratna G.R.N.N., & Ekanayake, S. (2018) Variation in WSI and WAI of Ipomea batatas (sweet potato) cultivars. IRSPAS 2018 (International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences) University of Kelaniya. October 2018. Pp 62.
    • Waidyaratna G.R.N.N., Ekanayake, S. & Chandrasekara G.A.P (2018). Assessment of glycaemic indices of Ipomea batata (sweet potato) cultivars. Wayamba International Conference (WINC -2018) Wayamba university of Sri Lanka. August 2018. Pp 228.
    • Waidyaratna G.R.N.N., Ekanayake, S. & Chandrasekara G.A.P. (2018). Some functional properties of Ipomea batata (sweet potatoes) cultivars for potential use in Industry. 73rd Annual Sessions of Institute of Chemistry. Chemistry in Sri Lanka 35 (2). Pp 19-20.
    • Waidyarathna G.R.N.N., Ekanayake, S. & Chandrasekara G.A.P. (2017) Selected fatty acids in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) tuber flour. 73rd Annual Sessions, SLAAS. Open University of Sri Lanka. December 2017. Pp 188.
    • Waidyarathna G.R.N.N., Ekanayake, S. & Chandrasekera, A. (2017) Newly introduced Makandura Purple sweet potato (Ipomea batata) cultivar: Nutritional facts. iPurse 2017, University of Peradeniya. November 2017. Pp 116.
    • Waidyarathna G.R.N.N., & Ekanayake, S. (2017) Nutrient composition of some boiled Ipomea batata (sweet potatoes) cultivars. Annual Sessions 2017. Institute of Chemistry Ceylon. Chemistry in Sri Lanka. June 2017. Pp 37-38.
    • Waidyarathna G.R.N.N., & Ekanayake, S. (2017) Proximate composition of raw and boiled Ipomea batata (sweet potatoes) cultivars. Nutrition Society Annual Sessions, University of Peradeniya, January 2017. Pp 10-11.
    • Waidyaratna G.R.N.N., & Silva K.D.R.R. (2014) Relationship between adiposity and nutritional status of school children, Wayamba University Undergraduate Research Symposium, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka. November 2014.
  • Professional Experience

  • Professional Experience

    • Visiting Clinical Dietitian & Nutritionist – University Hospital KDU, Werahera.  
    • Visiting lecturer in Biochemistry – MSc in Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, KDU.
    • Visiting lecturer in Biochemistry – BSc in Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, KDU.
    • Visiting lecturer in Biochemistry – BET (Hons.) in Biomedical Instrumentation Technology, Faculty of Technology, KDU.
    • Visiting lecture (Human Nutrition and Food Science) - Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education, Gampaha. 
    • Visiting Lecturer (Human Nutrition) - Studies of Plantation, Faculty of Agriculture, Aquinas Collage of Higher Studies. 
    • Scientific Officer in Food, Nutrition and Agriculture, Life Sciences Division, Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board.
    • Graduate Research Assistant - Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
    • Consultant Clinical Dietitian/ Nutritionist – Sethma Hospital Gampaha (2019- 2021).
    • One-year Dietetic Internship - Hemas Hospital, Wattala. 
  • Awards

  • Awards

    • PhD Scholarship – University Research Grants, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
    • Prof. HPM Gunasena Award for the best academic performance in Applied Nutrition Specialization, B.Sc. in Food Science & Nutrition (2015)
    • Best oral presenter in Nutrition - Undergraduate Research Symposium, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka (2014)
  • Involvement with other Organizations

  • Involvement with other Organizations

    • Member of the Dietetic Advisory Board of the Department of Applied Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka
    • External Resource Person – Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka.
    • Member of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS) 
    • Member of the Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka
    • Member of the Dietitians Association of Sri Lanka DiASL
  • Research Supervision

  • Research Supervision

    • Postgraduate Research Supervision (Principal supervisor) - PhD/MPhil - Dr. S.J.W. Withanage, Development of a standard homemade egg and peanut -based diet as an alternative for the Ready to Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) in the Management of Severe Acute Malnutrition, (2023 - on going).
    • Supervision - Student research project - MBBS (Community Medicine) Patterns and Frequency of Fast Food Consumption Among Grade 11 Students Attending School in the Ratmalana Divisional Secretariat Division, Sri Lanka (2023- completed).
    • Supervision (Principle) - Undergraduate research project (British College of Applied Sciences) on the Nutritional status of a selected elderly population in Colombo: A Preliminary Study (2023- completed).
    • Supervision - Student final year undergraduate research project - Faculty of Computing, NutriCare: An adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system enabled cloud-based diet recommender system for Sri Lankans, (2023 - completed).
    • Supervision - Student final year undergraduate research project - Faculty of Computing, Empowering health through ontology-based personalized food recommendations, (2024 - on going).
  • Other

  • Other

    CONTRIBUTION TO ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH SESSIONS

    • Member of the Reviewer panel of the International Conference on Applied and Pure Sciences (ICAPS) 2024 - University of Kelaniya.
    • Stakeholder in Curriculum Development and Evaluation (disciplines of Human Nutrition) of the Department of Applied Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka (2024).
    • Member of the Judge Board- Technical Sessions: Undergraduate Research Symposium, Faculty of Livestock Fisheries and Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka (2023).
    • Member of the Judge Board- Poster Sessions: Annual Scientific Sessions of the Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka (2023).
    • Member of the panel of reviewers – Faculty of Medicine, International Research Conference (IRC), KDU (2023).
    • Member of the Reviewer panel of the International Conference on Applied and Pure Sciences (ICAPS) 2023 – University of Kelaniya.
    • Member of the Judge Board – Poster Sessions: Scientific Session of the Faculty of Medicine, International Research Conference, KDU (2022).
    • Member of the Judge Board (Nutrition section)- Undergraduate Research Symposium – Wayamba University of Sri Lanka (2023).
    • Member of the Reviewer panel – IRC KDU 2022.

    POSITIONS HELD AT FACULTIES & UNIVERSITY

    • Faculty coordinator (Faculty of Medicine) – Introductory program for MBBS intake 42- KDU (2024).
    • Convener –Research Cell, Faculty of Medicine, KDU (2024 – present).
    • Faculty coordinator (Faculty of Medicine) – International Research Conference (IRC), KDU (2023).
    • Faculty coordinator (Faculty of Medicine) – Introductory program for MBBS intake 41- KDU (2023)
    • Biochemistry Subject coordinator of the degree on BET in Biomedical Instrumentation Technology, Faculty of Technology, KDU (2022- present).
    • Main committee member of the scientific sessions of the Faculty of Medicine – International Research Conference (IRC), KDU (2022).
    • Committee member – Hall arrangement committee- Scientific Sessions of the Faculty of Medicine, IRC, KDU (2022).
    • Committee Member of the Research cell – Faculty of Medicine, KDU (2022 – 2024).
    • Committee Member & Nutritionist – The Center for Sports Health and Research at KDU (2022-present).
    • The Secretary of the Film Society, Faculty of Medicine, KDU (2022- 2024).
    • Committee member – Art Society, Faculty of Medicine, KDU (2024 - Present).