Duke-Ruhuna Collaborative Research Centre

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟. 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐍. 𝐀𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐑𝐂𝐑𝐂

The Duke-Ruhuna Collaborative Research Centre (DRCRC), Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, was honored to welcome Prof. Soman N. Abraham; Distinguished Professor of Pathology from Duke University Medical Center, USA, and Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.
During his visit, Prof. Abraham participated in several discussions together with Prof. Truls Ostbye, (Co-Lead of DRCRC), faculty members, researchers, and staff on strengthening research collaborations and future academic opportunities.
Prof. Abraham notably delivered a guest lecture titled “Mast Cell Modulation of Immune Responses to Infection: Friend and Foe” at the GMA Auditorium, NHG on 28th April 2026.
DRCRC sincerely appreciates Prof. Abraham’s valuable engagement towards advancing international research collaboration.

𝐒𝐋𝐎𝐇𝐔𝐍 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

The Sri Lanka One Health University Network (SLOHUN) successfully held its quarterly meeting on 07th April 2026 with the virtual participation of national and international collaborators representing multiple universities and institutions.
The meeting focused on ongoing One Health initiatives, collaborative research activities, network expansion, website development, future awareness programmes, and funding opportunities. Discussions also highlighted key priority areas including antimicrobial resistance (AMR), zoonotic diseases, surveillance, climate and health, and pandemic preparedness.
SLOHUN remains committed to promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, research, and capacity building to strengthen the One Health approach in Sri Lanka.

𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐑𝐃𝐂𝐈𝐃 𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

The 3rd Advisory Board Meeting of the Ruhuna Duke Centre for Infectious Diseases (RDCID) was successfully held on 26th March 2026 at the Skills Laboratory, Clinical Block, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, with both onsite and virtual participation.
The meeting brought together a distinguished panel of local and international experts, collaborators, and researchers to review the progress of ongoing research activities and discuss future directions of RDCID. Key discussions focused on acute febrile illness surveillance, respiratory infections, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), The Sri Lanka One Health University Network (SLOHUN) initiatives, laboratory infrastructure development, capacity building, and future collaborative opportunities.
RDCID sincerely appreciates the continued guidance and support provided by the Advisory Board members, collaborators, and research teams in strengthening infectious disease research and public health initiatives in Sri Lanka.

𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟. 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐑𝐂𝐑𝐂

The Duke Ruhuna Collaborative Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, was pleased to welcome Lead of Infectious Diseases, Prof. Christopher Woods, on 10th February 2026.
His visit included productive discussions on ongoing research, capacity building, and future collaborations, along with visits to the National Hospital Galle and the RDCID Advanced Molecular Laboratory and new office construction site.
We sincerely appreciate his continued support and commitment to strengthening the partnership with Duke University.

𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞

𝐃𝐮𝐤𝐞 -𝐑𝐮𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞, 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐮𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐚

Applicants are requested to submit their updated curriculum vitae, along with the copies of all relevant educational certificates to [email protected] on or before 28.05.2026.

https://dukeruhuna.org/vacancies-list/7

𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐒𝐫𝐢 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐚 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 (𝐒𝐋𝐎𝐇𝐔𝐍)

The Sri Lanka One Health University Network (SLOHUN) is a pioneering national initiative bringing universities together to advance a unified One Health vision for Sri Lanka. By promoting multidisciplinary research and capacity building at the human, animal, and environment interface, SLOHUN aims to address emerging health challenges sustainably. Established through a partnership between the Universities of Ruhuna, Jaffna, and Peradeniya, the network was formally approved in February 2025 by the Senate of University of Ruhuna, and officially launched at Faculty of Medicine Academic Sessions (FMAS), Ruhuna in May 2025.
Objectives of the Network:
 Promote One Health based multidisciplinary research
 Strengthen national and regional One Health workforce capacity
 Develop training and educational opportunities aligned with local and global health needs
 Foster collaboration among universities, government agencies, and other stakeholders
Membership Eligibility:
 Academic staff and researchers from Medicine, Veterinary Science, Agriculture, Science, Environmental Sciences, and other related disciplines
 Academics and researchers who are committed to advancing the One Health approach through research, training, or community engagement
Benefits of Membership:
 Interdisciplinary collaboration and networking opportunities
 Enhanced institutional recognition and access to funding opportunities
 Contribution to national public health, environmental sustainability, and policy impact
📌 Interested faculty and professionals are encouraged to apply and contribute to building Sri Lanka’s One Health workforce.
More Information: [email protected]
Membership Application- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScD99i9zC_lTrEdRlyuAEWpjvuf9waygDVfm2Bxv9ntcXOFkg/viewform

𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐮𝐤𝐞 𝐑𝐮𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞
As we begin 2026, the Duke Ruhuna Collaborative Research Centre (DRCRC) reaffirms its commitment to advancing collaborative research, innovation, and capacity building across multiple disciplines to impact human health.

Founded on a strong partnership between the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna and Duke University, the Centre enters the new year with a renewed focus on strengthening laboratory systems, expanding high-quality and impactful research, and fostering meaningful global collaborations.

Guided by a vision that extends beyond borders, we aspire to be a beacon of excellence in research, clinical practice, and education, contributing to improved health outcomes at local, regional, and global levels.

We look forward to another year of scientific progress, teamwork, and impactful research.

Here’s to a productive and successful year ahead !

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭'𝐬 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

We proudly announce another national recognition received for a collaborative research publication at the ceremony of President's Awards 2025 held on 18 December 2025 at Waters Edge, Battaramulla, organised by the National Research Council of Sri Lanka.

Congratulations to the authors who are affiliated with the Duke–Ruhuna Collaborative Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka, Prof. Champika K Bodinayake, Prof. Ajith De S. Nagahawatte, Prof. I. V. Devasiri, Dr. W. Kodikara Arachchichi, and Dr. Ruvini Kurukulasooriya, for receiving the President’s Award for scientific publication for the research publication titled “The Host Response to Viral Infections Reveals Common and Virus-Specific Signatures in the Peripheral Blood,” which was published in 2021 in the international peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Immunology.

In addition to the Sri Lankan authors, we congratulate the authors; Prof. L Gayani Tillekeratne, Prof. Ephraim L Tsalik, Cassandra Fiorino, Ammara Aqeel, Yiling Liu, Prof. Ricardo Henao, Prof. Emily R Ko, Dr. Thomas W Burke, Prof. Megan E Reller, Prof. Micah T McClain, Prof. Christopher W Woods, Dr. Geoffrey S Ginsburg, and Dr. Klaus Schughart, who greatly contributed to this achievement.

This recognition was granted under the category of highly rated scientific research, based on peer evaluation. The publication highlights a strong international research collaboration between scholars from the Duke University School of Medicine and the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, along with several other partner institutions. The full manuscript can be accessed at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34777354/