Danushka Kumara Wijesundara wins prestigious Finkel Prize for Advance Medical Research at Australian National University
December 17, 2013
From Left – Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, the High Commissioner, Dr. Alan Finkel, the Chancellor of the Monash University, Mr. Danushka Wijesundara, a Sri Lankan PhD scholar, Dr. Chris Parish, the Director of the John Curtin School of Medical Research, Dr. Charani Ranasinghe, the PhD Advisor
Mr. Danushka Wijesundara, a Sri Lankan PhD scholar attached to John Curtin School of Medical Research of the Australian National University, Canberra was awarded the Finkel Prize for his significant medical research work on HIV-1 vaccine development which is expected to be beneficial for conferring protection against HIV-1 in the future.
Dr. Alan Finkel, the Chancellor of the Monash University being the sponsor of the Finkel Prize was there at the ANU University to award the prize to 28 year old Danushka Wijesundara on 13th of December 2013 in the presence of Dr. Chris Parish, the Director of the John Curtin School of Medical Research, Dr. Charani Ranasinghe, the PhD Advisor, Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, the High Commissioner, his proud parents, other Sri Lankan dignitaries and academics.
Danushka Wijesundara is also recognized as a medical research writer contributing papers to many international medical research journals which includes forums in USA, Italy and Australia.
In addition, to his successful professional career, Danushka is a first grade Cricketer representing the East Lake Club in Canberra with high performances. His distinguished achievements in his chosen medical profession and in the field of Cricket is contributing immensely to raise the image of Sri Lanka, in Australia.
Danushka is the only child of Mr. Somadasa Wijesundara, Ex-Sri Lanka Foreign Service Officer and former Minister Counsellor of the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra and Mrs Seetha Wijesundara.