Tharanga Nandasena | Public Health | Distinguished Scientist Award

Prof. Tharanga Nandasena | Public Health | Distinguished Scientist Award

Professor | University of Peradeniya | Sri Lanka

Professor B.G.T.L. Nandasena is a distinguished researcher and academic, currently serving as a Professor in Dental Anatomy at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, as well as the SWAC Chairperson and Senior Student Counselor. He obtained his BDS (Honors) from the University of Peradeniya in 2000, followed by an MPhil in Developmental Biology (Odontogenesis) in 2007 from the same institution, and a PhD in Oral Life Sciences from Niigata University, Japan, in 2009. With over 20 years of teaching and research experience, Professor Nandasena’s work focuses on oral histology, craniofacial morphometry, developmental biology, preventive oral health, bioactive natural products, and oral diseases such as dental caries and maxillofacial injuries. He has made significant contributions to the field through numerous high-impact publications, including studies on the distribution of cholinesterase enzymes in human tooth germs, regional distribution of interglobular dentine, and the bioactivity of traditional Sri Lankan herbal formulas for oral health. His research excellence has been recognized with prestigious awards such as the Presidential Award (2009) for research on interglobular dentine and the NRC Merit Award (2010) for studies on cholinesterase enzymes, as well as the Lucy de Abrew Medal for outstanding academic performance. Beyond research, Professor Nandasena plays an active role in the scientific community as an editorial and scientific committee member at national and international journals, contributing to the advancement of dental science and education. His career exemplifies a commitment to bridging fundamental research with clinical and preventive oral health applications, mentoring future dental professionals, and fostering global collaboration in dental and biomedical sciences. She has 30 citations from 7 documents with an h-index of 3.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID

Publications

1. Nandasena, T. (2022). Functional oral anatomy. In The Science of Sea Salt.

2. Nandasena, T. (2021). Gender and ethnic group differences in dental caries in a Sri Lankan population. Journal of Oral Health and Community Dentistry.

3. Arambawatta, K., Abeysundara, A., Ihalagedera, D., Nawarathna, G., Nandasena, T., Peiris, R., Banneheka, S., & Nanayakkara, D. (2021). Morphological analysis of cementoenamel junction in premolars of Sri Lankans. Anatomical Science International.

4. Nanayakkara, D., Nawarathna, L. S., Nandasena, T., Alahakoon, S., Ariyasinghe, S., & Arambawatta, K. (2021). Hand and handprint measurements in the estimation of stature in a Sri Lankan population. International Journal of Morphology.

5. Nandasena, T. (2020). Dental arch morphology in normal occlusion of the Sri Lankan population. Sri Lanka Dental Journal.