Ms. Judy Mathushika Manohitharaj |Biotechnology | Young Researcher Award
The Open University of Sri Lanka Sri Lanka
Judy Mathushika Manohitharaj is an interdisciplinary researcher from Sri Lanka with expertise in microbiology, plant biotechnology, molecular biology, and environmental science 🌱🔬. With academic foundations from the University of Colombo, she is driven by a passion for climate-resilient agriculture, microbial solutions, and sustainable innovations. Judy has served in diverse roles from lecturer to faculty coordinator, blending her teaching and research capabilities. She has actively contributed to both national and international scientific platforms through publications, conferences, and collaborative research . Committed to continuous learning, she is currently pursuing a Master’s in Environmental Management and aims to pursue a Ph.D. to deepen her scientific journey. She has also mentored students, served as an academic examiner, and contributed to environmentally impactful community services. Known for her collaborative spirit, bioinformatics skills, and commitment to science education, Judy stands out as a dedicated academician and researcher with global aspirations.
Profile
🎓 Education
Judy earned her B.Sc. (Hons) in Plant Biotechnology from the University of Colombo (2017–2021) , securing a GPA of 3.28 overall and 3.88 in the final year. Her undergraduate years were marked by intensive research in fungal bioactive compounds, plant stress physiology, and public health studies . She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Environmental Management (2024–2025) at the same university, having completed the first semester with a GPA of 3.68/4.0 . Her academic excellence is complemented by certified courses in Structural Bioinformatics & Drug Discovery, Teaching in Higher Education, and an internship in molecular biology. Her education is enriched by field and lab research, with a strong focus on in vitro analysis, microbial ecology, and genomics-based approaches. Judy’s interdisciplinary training across plant, microbial, and environmental sciences positions her uniquely for advanced doctoral studies and impactful scientific contributions .
💼 Experience
Judy’s professional journey includes roles as a Lecturer in Plant Sciences at the Open University of Sri Lanka (2024–present) and Temporary Lecturer (2023–2024) . Earlier, she served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Colombo, assisting in microbiology, molecular biology, and bioinformatics courses . Her research tenure spans diverse projects including microbial degradation of plastics at KDU-CARE (2022–2023), climate impact on rice yield, and in silico antifungal screening . She has also acted as a Faculty Coordinator managing academic activities, labs, and student counseling at the Batticaloa Regional Centre . Beyond teaching, Judy has contributed to environmental research, community science communication, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Her roles required proficiency in experimental design, statistical analysis, teaching delivery, and mentoring . This hands-on academic and research exposure, backed by extensive publication and presentation records, reflect Judy’s commitment to advancing scientific understanding and education.
🏅 Awards & Honors
Judy was honored as the Best Student of the Year 2014 at St. Cecilia’s Girls’ College . She has been competitively selected into Scholar X, a mentoring program by the Sustainable Education Foundation, with an acceptance rate below 30% . She contributed nationally as an Examiner Panel Member for Sri Lanka’s Central Environmental Authority, involved in setting and evaluating recruitment exams for environmental officers . Judy completed recognized training in Bioinformatics & Drug Discovery, Higher Education Teaching, and Molecular Biology Internship, enhancing her scientific proficiency . As a prolific presenter, she has delivered 9+ presentations at international scientific conferences and received appreciation for her research on biofuels, microbial solutions, and climate-smart agriculture . Her memberships in professional bodies like SLAMPP, NSF, and International Society for Advancement of Cytometry reflect her active engagement in academic networks and lifelong dedication to learning and leadership in science .
🔬 Research Focus
Judy’s research integrates plant biotechnology, microbial ecology, molecular biology, and environmental science to address real-world challenges. She investigates microbial stress responses, bioactive compounds, and biodegradation mechanisms, using both wet lab and computational approaches . Her current focus includes molecular docking of Sri Lankan phytochemicals against fungal pathogens, analysis of climate variability’s impact on crop yield, and bioremediation using native microbial isolates . She applies advanced bioinformatics tools like PyRx, SwissADME, and GROMACS for protein-ligand interactions and pharmacokinetics modeling . Additionally, she explores smart farming, remote sensing for agriculture, and functional genomics to enhance crop resilience and food security . Judy’s research is deeply interdisciplinary, with strong implications for sustainable development, climate resilience, and environmental biotechnology, making her work highly relevant in the era of global environmental challenges and innovation-driven solutions .
Conclusion
Judy Mathushika Manohitharaj is a highly promising early-career researcher whose passion, technical competencies, and interdisciplinary contributions position her as a strong contender for the Young Researcher Award. Her dedication to scientific exploration, paired with her proactive involvement in teaching, publication, and community service, speaks volumes about her commitment to both knowledge creation and societal impact. With continued academic growth and international research engagement, she is poised to become a future leader in the fields of biotechnology, environmental science, and applied microbiology.
Publication
1. Development of Microalgae‑based Biofuels as a Viable Green Energy Source: Challenges and Future Perspectives
-
Year: 2022
-
Authors: Judy Mathushika, Chandima Gomes
-
Citation: Biointerface Research in Applied Chemistry, Vol. 12(3), pp. 3849–3882; DOI:10.33263/BRIAC123.38493882 taylorfrancis.com+5biointerfaceresearch.com+5scholar.google.com+5
2. Smart Farming Using Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, and Robotics: A Comprehensive Review
-
Year: 2022
-
Authors: M. J. Mathushika, R. Vinushayini, C. Gomes
-
Citation: Chapter in Artificial Intelligence and Smart Agriculture Technology (Taylor & Francis/Auerbach, 1st ed. 2022); DOI:10.1201/9781003299059‑1 ou.ac.lk+4taylorfrancis.com+4taylorfrancis.com+4
3. Emerging Concepts and Practices in Post‑Harvest Management of Horticultural Crops Revisited
-
Year: 2021
-
Authors: J. M. Mathushika, C. Gomes
-
Citation: International Journal of Current Research and Review, Vol. 4(08), March 2021 scholar.google.com
4. The Anti‑microbial Potential of Lasiodiplodia theobromae Inhabiting the Lichen Heterodermia sp. Available in Sri Lanka
-
Year: 2022
-
Authors: J. Mathushika, C. M. Nanayakkara, U. Jayalal, S. Thanthirige
-
Citation: Journal of Innovative Science and Sustainable Technologies, Vol. 2, pp. 129–136 (2022) taylorfrancis.com+4scholar.google.com+4ou.ac.lk+4ou.ac.lk
5. Biodegradation of Burnt Engine Oil by Surfactant‑Producing Marine Isolates of Pseudomonas sp.
-
Year: 2022
-
Authors: J. Mathushika, H. S. Jayasinghearachchi, S. B. Alahakoon
-
Citation: 2022 (journal not specified) scholar.google.com
6. The Antimicrobial Activity of Crude Extract of Pyocyanin from a Marine Isolate of Pseudomonas sp. Against Clinical Strain of Staphylococcus aureus
-
Year: 2022
-
Authors: J. Mathushika, P. Alwis, W. Nakkawita, H. S. Jayasinghearachchi
-
Citation: 2022 (journal not specified) scholar.google.com
7. Lichens as Potential Antimicrobial Agents: A Comprehensive Review
-
Year: 2021
-
Authors: C. M. N. J. Mathushika
-
Citation: International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Applications, Vol. 6(04), 2021