Tanaka Lab – Personnel

 

Samodya K. Jayasinghe

Graduate Research Assistant

Contact Information

WSU Plant Pathology
PO BOX 646430
Pullman, WA, 99163-6430
Office – Plant Sciences Building 255
Lab – Plant Sciences Building 215 & 235
Phone: (509) 335-5813 | Fax: (509) 335-9581
samodya.jayasinghe [at] wsu.edu

Education

• 2024 (expected) Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
• 2022 Graduate Certificate in Bioinformatics, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
• 2021 M.S. in Plant Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
• 2013 B.S. in Biological Science, Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka

Professional Experience

• Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA (2018- Present)
• College Representative, Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA), Washington State University, Pullman, WA (2022-Present)
• Chair of Grant Panel for GPSA, Washington State University, Pullman, WA (2022-Present)
• Student Senator for Department of Plant Pathology, GPSA, Washington State University, Pullman, WA (2021-22)
• Abstract Reviewer, Academic Showcase and GPSA Research Expo, Washington State University, Pullman, WA (2021)
• Treasurer, Plant Pathology Graduate Student Organization, Washington State University, Pullman, WA (2019-20)
• Research Officer, Plant Pathology Division, Sri Lanka Tea Research Institute, Talawakele, Sri Lanka (2014 – 2015)

Teaching Experience

• Teaching Assistant for PL_P 429 General Plant Pathology, Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA (2019)
• Teaching Assistant, Department of Botany, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka (2013 – 2014)

Academic Honors, Awards, and Achievements

• USDA NIFA AFRI EWD Predoctoral Fellowship (2023 – Present)
• 1st Place in poster competition in Plant Pathology Departmental Statewide Meeting (2022)
• Membership Grant Award, GPSA, Washington State University, Pullman, WA (2021)
• Ann Chittenden Holland Master’s Thesis Award for Graduate Excellence, Washington State University, Pullman, WA (2021)
• 2nd Place in oral presentation competition, International Science and Technology Conference, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka
• 2nd Class Upper Honors, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka

Current Research Focus

• Systems-level analysis of antagonistic and mutualistic dialogues in tripartite interactions among potato-protist-virus

Profile links

ResearchGate | LinkedIn

Publications

1. Sinniah GD, Munasinghe CE, Mahadevan N, Jayasinghe SK, Kulatunga DCM (2017) Recent incidence of collar canker and dieback of tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) caused by Fusarium solani species complex in Sri Lanka. Australasian Plant Dis. Notes 12: 41. doi:10.1007/s13314-017-0262-5