Neuro science student from Jayewardenepura university wins schol from AIST Japan

Mr. Nalaka Wijekoon a PhD student from the Interdisciplinary Centre for Innovation in Biotechnology and Neuroscience of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJP) has been awarded a scholarship from the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) Japan, the university said.

The institute is the 7th innovation centre worldwide according to Thomson Reuters list of Top 25 Innovation Centres, for hands-on training. The 4th AIST International Imaging Workshop is to be held from January 15-22, 2017 at Biomedical Research Institute, AIST, Japan. (https://unit.aist.go.jp/bmd/en/ event/index).

The hands-on training will cover laser scanning microscopy, super resolution microscopy, electron microscopy, bioluminescence imaging etc. The scholarship will cover airfare, local transportation in Japan, conference registration fees, bench fees and consumable cost for hands-on training and local hospitality in Japan, the university said in its website.

The title of the poster presentation was, “Analysis of mutation pattern of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) in Sri Lanka: A cohort study.”

Out of 179 eligible applications received from worldwide, the selection committee has selected 20 candidates from 10 countries including India, China, Korea, Thailand, Pakistan, Japan and Sri Lanka.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed between AIST, Japan and USJP in 2015, initiating a trilateral collaboration in Science and Technology between Japan, India and Sri Lanka. The MOU has been signed by Dr. Yoshihiro Ohmiya, Director, Biomedical Research Institute (BMRI), AIST and Prof. Sampath Amaratunge, Vice Chancellor of USJP, while the Japanese Ambassador in Sri Lanka Kenichi Suganuma, Dr. Sunil Kaul, Chief Senior Research Scientist, AIST and Prof. Ranil de Silva, Director, World Class University Project, signed as the witnesses.