Madhara K. Wimalasena

Type: Research Student

Madhara K. Wimalasena holds a B.Sc. (Honours) degree in Agricultural Resource Management and Technology, specializing in Agricultural Biology, from the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka, and a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Physical & Natural Sciences, with a focus on mycology, from the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka.

A young and dynamic researcher, she leads a freshwater fungal research project that has produced significant and impactful scientific contributions, including the discovery of novel fungal species, and the identification of new geographical and host records for freshwater fungi. Her work has been published in high-index peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences. At present, she has two research articles published in Q1 and Q3 journals, with two additional manuscripts in preparation, along with eight published abstracts stemming from her freshwater fungal studies. Madhara pioneered the renewed study of freshwater hyphomycetes taxa (Ingoldian fungi) in Sri Lanka following the work of Gunasekera & Rukmani (1984). While her core focus is on freshwater fungi, her research extends to terrestrial fungi and fungi from extreme environments, demonstrating a broad and versatile interest in fungal biodiversity.

Beyond her research achievements, Madhara actively contributes to the taxonomic documentation of Sri Lanka’s fungal diversity, including the development of comprehensive fungal checklists and the conservation of fungal strains in culture collections. She collaborates with national and international mycologists, fostering scientific exchange and joint studies. Committed to capacity building, she mentors young researchers and research assistants, sharing her expertise in fungal morphological and molecular identification, phylogenetic analysis, and bioactive compound identification. Her long-term vision is to advance fungal taxonomy and ecology in Sri Lanka, uncovering its hidden fungal wealth while promoting its global scientific significance

Publications:

Published research articles in SCI-indexed journals:
  1. Wimalasena, M. K., Wijayawardene, N. N., Bamunuarachchige, T. C., Zhang, G.-Q., Jayalal, R. G. U., Bhat, D. J., Dawoud, T. M., de Zoysa, H. K. S., & Dai, D.-Q. (2025). Ectophoma salviniae nov., Neottiosporina mihintaleensis sp. nov., and four other endophytes associated with aquatic plants from Sri Lanka and their extracellular enzymatic potential. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 14, 1475114. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1475114 | Quartile score: Q1
  2. Wimalasena, M. K., Bamunuarachchige, T. C., Jayalal, U., Sci, C. J. M., Jayalal, R. U., Bhat, D. J., Dawoud, T. M., Rathnayaka, R. K., & Dai, D.-Q. (2024). Ongoing study reveals high aquatic fungal diversity: An untouched component in Sri Lankan biodiversity. Chiang Mai Journal of Science, 51(3), 1–31. https://doi.org/10.12982/CMJS.2024.039 | Quartile score: Q3
Ongoing research manuscripts:
  1. Madhara K. Wimalasena, Nalin N. Wijayawardene, Susan B. Dharmarathne, Nimesha Gunasekara, Manavi S. Ekanayake, R.G. Udeni Jayalal, Jayarama D. Bhat, Turki M. Dawoud, Gui-Qing Zhang, Damith C. Weerasinghe, Heethaka K. S. de Zoysa, Dong-Qin Dai, Haohan Wang, Thushara C. Bamunuarachchige. (2025). In vitro Evaluation of Synthetic Dye Decolorization by Fungi Isolated from Freshwater Environments in Sri Lanka. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. Manuscript ID:1650835 | Quartile score: Q1 | In review
  2. Madhara K. Wimalasena, Nalin N. Wijayawardene, Thushara C. Bamunuarachchige, Heethaka K. S. de Zoysa, Gui-Qing Zhang, Darbhe J. Bhat, Turki M. Dawoud, Sajeewa S. N. Maharachchikumbura, Dong-Qin Dai, Udeni Jayalal. (2025). Colletotrichum hydei nov. and New Geographical and Five New Records of Endophytic Fungi Associated with Freshwater Plants in Sri Lanka. New Zealand Journal of Botany | Quartile score: Q3 | In prep.
Published abstracts:
  1. Wimalasena, S.D.M.K. et al. (2025). Exploring the Untouched Diversity of Freshwater Hyphomycetous in Lentic Freshwater Habitats in Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka. 4th International Symposium on Agriculture (ISA 2025). 6th of March 2025. Eastern University of Sri Lanka
  2. Wimalasena, S.D.M.K. et al. (2024). Revealing the Endophytic Fungal Diversity Associated with Freshwater Plants in Anuradhapura and Ratnapura Districts, Sri Lanka. Graduate Colloquium 2024 (ARS-24). 20th December 2024. Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
  3. Wimalasena, S.D.M.K. et al. (2024). Lasiodiplodia crassispora & pseudotheobromae isolated in Sri Lanka show mycoremediation abilities for decolorizing crystal violet. The 50th International Congress on Science, Technology & Technology-based Innovation (STT 50). 27th of November 2024. Chiang Mai University, Thailand
  4. Wimalasena, S.D.M.K. et al. (2024). Exploring laccase-producing fungi isolated from freshwater ecosystems in the Anuradhapura & Ratnapura Districts, Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the 44th Annual Sessions, Institute of Biology Sri Lanka (IOBSL). 28th of September 2024. Institute of Biology Sri Lanka
  5. Wimalasena, S.D.M.K. et al. (2023). Morphological & molecular identification of Rhytidhysteron neorufulum found in aquatic environments of Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka. Young Scientists’ Conference on Multidisciplinary Research (YSCMR). 09th of November 2024. National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Sri Lanka
  6. Wimalasena, S.D.M.K. et al. (2023). Diversity of freshwater fungi in Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka. 1st International Conference on Technological Research & Innovation (ICTRI – 2023). 28th of September 2023. Faculty of Technology, Eastern University, Sri Lanka
  7. Wimalasena, S.D.M.K. et al. (2022). Screening & identification of the cellulolytic, hemicellulolytic & lignocellulolytic enzymes of freshwater fungi in the Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka. International Conference on Development & Utilization of Fungal Resources (ICDUFR 2022). 26th October 2022. Qujing Normal University, China
  8. Wimalasena, S.D.M.K. et al. (2022). Freshwater fungal diversity in selected Anuradhapura lakes of Sri Lanka. 3rd International Eurasian Mycology Congress (EMC’22). 09th of September 2022. Van YYU Mushroom Application and Research Center, Van, Türkiye
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