Waruni C Dissanayake

Experienced biomedical Research Fellow with a strong track record of research success. Self-directed and motivated professional with a highly ethical, meticulous, and thorough approach. Knowledgeable biomedical scientist with a solid background in conducting pioneering research projects and contributing to peer-reviewed publications. Proven ability to advance scientific understanding through innovative methodologies and collaborative efforts. Demonstrated expertise in data analysis and hypothesis testing and grant writing and teaching.

14 years

Research funding

• Maurice Wilkins Centre- Funding for proteomic studies in human beta cells, $30K, 01/01/24
• Maurice Phyllis Paykel Trust, $10K, 01/01/24
• Maurice Wilkins Centre Metabolic health theme funding, $240,000, 01/01/22
• Maurice Wilkins Centre Training grant, $10,000, 01/01/22
• Auckland Medical Research Foundation, $2,900, 01/01/22
• Maurice Phyllis Paykel trust project grant, $8,000, 01/01/20
• Auckland Medical Research Foundation Travel grant, $3,000, 01/01/20
• Maurice Wilkins Centre -Winner of Dragon’s den competition, $9,200, 01/01/19
• University of Auckland publication funding support, $5,000, 01/01/17
• Maurice Wilkins Centre Flexible Research grant, $6,400, 01/01/15
• University of Auckland- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology travel grant, $1,000, 01/01/16
• University of Auckland- Post graduate student association travel grant, $500, 01/01/16
• Maurice Phyllis Paykel trust travel grant, $1,250, 01/01/16

Awards and Scholarships

• University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship, 01/05/14 - 01/05/17
• Honours Graduate award for maintaining the highest GPA, 09/01/13
• Graduate Research Enhancement Grant, USD 44,000, 01/01/11 - 01/01/13
• New Graduate Student Award for the best academic performance, 01/01/11
• Graduate Fellowship, 01/01/10 - 01/01/11

Second Class Upper Division Honours, 01/01/09

9

Research Articles

Wang Q, Leask MP, Lee K, Jaiswal J, Kallingappa P, Dissanayake W, Puli'uvea C, O'Sullivan C, Watson H, Wilcox P, Murphy R, Merry TL, Shepherd PR,(2024) The population-specific Thr44Met OCT3 coding variant affects metformin pharmacokinetics with subsequent effects on insulin sensitivity in C57Bl/6J mice. Diabetologia

Masson SWC, Dissanayake WC, Broome SC, Hedges CP, Peeters WM, Gram M, Rowlands DS, Shepherd PR, Merry TL (2023) A role for β-catenin in diet-induced insulin resistance. Physiological reports11(4):e15536

Dissanayake, W. C and Shepherd, P. R. (2022) β-cells retain a pool of insulin-containing secretory vesicles regulated by adherens junctions and the cadherin binding protein p120 catenin. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 298 (8)102240

Dissanayake, W. C.,Oh, J, Sorrenson, B. and Shepherd P.R (2021)Glucose regulates expression of pro-inflammatory genes IL-1b and IL-12 through a mechanism involving hexosamine biosynthesis pathway dependent regulation of α-E catenin in the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. Bioscience reports, ) 41 (7): BSR20211066.

Sorrenson, B., Dissanayake, W. C., Hu, F., Lee, K. L., & Shepherd, P. R. (2021) A role for PAK1 mediated phosphorylation of β-catenin Ser552 in the regulation of insulin secretion, Biochemical journal BCJ20200862.doi: 10.1042/BCJ20200862.

Dissanayake, W. C., Sorrenson, B., Lee, K. L., Barre, S. & Shepherd, P. R. (2020). α-catenin isoforms are regulated by glucose and involved in regulating insulin secretion in  rat clonal β-cell models, Biochemical journal, 477(4):763-772

Dissanayake, W. C., Sorrenson, B., Cognard, E., Hughes, W. E., & Shepherd, P. R. (2018). β-catenin is important for the development of an insulin responsive pool of GLUT4 glucose transporters in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Experimental Cell Research, 366 (1), 49-54.

Dissanayake, W. C., Sorrenson, B., & Shepherd, P. R. (2018). The role of adherens junction proteins in the regulation of insulin secretion. Bioscience reports, 38 (2).

Sorrenson, B., Cognard, E., Lee, K. L., Dissanayake, W. C., Fu, Y., Han, W., ... Shepherd, P. R. (2016). A Critical Role for β-catenin in Modulating Levels of Insulin Secretion from β-cells by Regulating Actin Cytoskeleton and Insulin Vesicle Localization. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 291 (50), 25888-25900.

Posters

Dissanayake, W., and Shepherd P.R (2024 July) Novel role of plakoglobin in insulin secretion. Gordon research conference. New Hampshire, USA

Sorrenson, B., Dissanayake, W. C., & Shepherd, P. R (2018) Both a- and b-catenin are involved in the mechanisms regulating insulin secretion. The islet biology workshop. Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. September 6-7, 2018

Dissanayake, W. C., Sorrenson, B., & Shepherd, P. R. (2017). Novel role of a-catenin in insulin secretion. Paper presented at Queenstown Research Week: Cell Signalling Satellite, Queenstown, New Zealand. 7 September - 8 September 2017.

Dissanayake, W. C., Sorrenson, B., & Shepherd, P. R. (2016). Regulatory role of a-catenin in insulin secretion. poster presented at Queenstown Research Week: Cell Signalling Satellite, Queenstown, New Zealand. September 2016.

Dissanayake, W. C., Sorrenson, B., & Shepherd, P. R. (2016). α-Catenin levels change in response to glucose stimulation and modulate insulin release in rat pancreatic beta cells. Paper presented at 76th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. June 10- 14, 2016. Diabetes.

Invited  Presentations

Dissanayake, W.C (2024) Signalling by adhesion receptors. GRS conference, New Hampshire, USA July 2024

Dissanayake, W.C. (2022) catenin regulating the traffic. Role of catenin proteins in the regulation of insulin secretion. Asia Pacific Diabetes and Obesity Annual meeting. Singapore. November 2022

Dissanayake, W.C. (2022) Crucial role of catenins in insulin secretion in beta cells. Diabetes and obesity research session. University of Sydney. October 2022

Dissanayake, W.C. (2022) catenin regulating the traffic. Role of catenin proteins in the regulation of insulin secretion. Paper presented at Queenstown Research Week: Queenstown, New Zealand. September 2022

Dissanayake, W. C., Sorrenson, B., & Shepherd, P. R. (2017). Novel role of a-catenin in insulin secretion. Paper presented at Queenstown Research Week: Cell Signalling Satellite, Queenstown, New Zealand. 7 September - 8 September 2017.

Dissanayake, W. C., Sorrenson, B., & Shepherd, P. R. (2016). Novel regulators in insulin secretion. Research work presented at, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney April 2016

.As a biomedical researcher, I focus on the signaling mechanisms associated with type 2 diabetes, particularly the roles of cell-cell communication in regulating insulin secretion and the genetic factors contributing to health disparities in Māori and Pacific populations. My expertise spans diverse areas, including vesicle trafficking, calcium channel regulation and flux, insulin secretion, actin cytoskeleton remodeling, macrophages in diabetes, and traditional Māori medicine (Rongoā).

Key Research and Technical Expertise:

• Research Areas:Vesicle trafficking and actin cytoskeleton dynamics
  Calcium channel regulation and calcium flux analysis
  Insulin secretion mechanisms, insulin resistance and macrophage involvement in diabetes
  Health inequality research with a focus on Māori and Pacific communities
  
• Laboratory Techniques:

Cellular and Molecular Biology: In vitro mammalian cell culture, plasmid siRNA transfection of mouse and human islets, cloning, and qPCR, genotyping
Biochemical Assays: Calcium flux assays, insulin secretion studies, ELISA, enzyme kinetics, Western blotting,
Microscopy and Imaging: TIRF, confocal microscopy, immunocytochemistry, immunohistochemistry, Super resolution microscopy
Protein Chemistry: Protein purification and analysis
Biophysical and Analytical Chemistry: Organic synthesis, electrochemistry, HPLC, and biophysical analysis

This diverse expertise enables me to integrate advanced biochemical and molecular techniques with a culturally informed perspective to address health inequalities and diabetes-related challenges.