I completed my Honours degree in Microbiology in Sri Lanka, where I developed a strong interest in molecular biology and biotechnology, which motivated me to pursue higher studies. I was awarded a PhD scholarship in 2018 at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT). My research focused on investigating the molecular mechanisms of the co-chaperone Arabidopsis thaliana BAG4 in plant abiotic stress tolerance. During my PhD, I also worked on genetically modified chickpea and studied nodulation processes, which further strengthened my passion for crop biotechnology. Following my PhD, I worked on legumes and cereals in postdoctoral roles before joining the Craik Group (2024) at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB), The University of Queensland as a Plant Molecular Biologist.

As a postdoctoral research fellow in the Craik group, I am exploring the potential of plants to produce therapeutics. My project focused on producing an anti-malarial peptide, PDIP, in cowpea seeds through stable genetic transformation. The goal is to develop cowpea seeds as an edible delivery system for PDIP, potentially providing a cost-effective and accessible treatment for malaria in the future. This research involves cowpea stable transformation and molecular characterization of the resulting plants.

I was initially inspired by Dr. Jose Barrero Sanchez’s talk at the International Conference on Legume Genetics and Genomics in 2024, which strongly influenced my research direction. I approached Dr. Jose after the talk to discuss collaboration opportunities, and he kindly supported my request to visit his lab. I was supported by the CIPPS Capacity Building Grant to visit the Legume Engineering Research Team at CSIRO- Black Mountain site in Canberra. The team specializes in legume genetic engineering, including developing insect-resistant and stress-tolerant legume crops. They are internationally recognized for producing the world’s first genetically modified insect-resistant cowpea, which is already in use by farmers in Africa. 

The CIPPS Capacity Building Grant enabled me to gain hands-on experience in cowpea stable transformation, covering the entire workflow from vector construction and tissue culture to generating genetically modified cowpea plants, acclimatizing them to soil, and managing their growth in glasshouse conditions.
This opportunity provided not only technical training but also invaluable guidance and troubleshooting advice from leading experts in legume engineering. I learned best practices that we can now implement in the current project at the Craik lab, significantly improving the likelihood of success in producing PDIP-expressing cowpea plants.
In addition, the collaborative discussions opened doors for future joint projects and mentorship. Specially, Dr. Jose’s guidance and advice have been instrumental in shaping both my current research and my long-term career development. This visit has also laid the foundation for an ongoing and long-standing research collaboration between the teams.

One of the most memorable aspects of my exchange was the opportunity to work closely with such a highly skilled, collaborative, and welcoming team. I had the privilege of attending their team meetings, where I observed their effective, group-based approach to problem-solving, something I aspire to emulate in my own research environment.

I am sincerely grateful to Jose for providing this invaluable opportunity and for his generous support throughout my visit. A special thank you also goes to his exceptional team – Jenny Gibson, Luch Hac, Javier Atayde, Andy Moore, Helen Lee, and Sue Allen -for their guidance, training, and practical advice, which were instrumental in enhancing my technical skills.

A piece of advice that truly resonated with me during these interactions was:

“Don’t say if my cowpea transformation is successful; say when my cowpea transformation is successful.”

This positive and determined mindset has left a lasting impression and will guide me throughout my career.
Another highlight of my visit was having a mentorship discussion with Professor TJ Higgins, a pioneer in legume engineering. His insights and encouragement were invaluable in shaping both my research vision and long-term career trajectory.

Outside the lab, I enjoyed a team dinner at a local restaurant, which provided a wonderful opportunity to build friendships and share fun conversations. Throughout the three-week period, we also went for lunches and coffee catchups, which helped me build strong relationships with the team members. I also explored Canberra, including the Australian National University(ANU), and experienced the local culture.

Jose (Left) and Nipuni (right) at the Synergy building CSIRO, Canberra.

This experience broadened not only my technical skills but also my perspective on working in a professional, industry-oriented research environment. For early-career researchers, I strongly recommend applying for the Capacity Building Grant. It is an incredible opportunity to collaborate with world-leading scientists, learn cutting-edge techniques, and gain insight into professional research culture, all of which can significantly accelerate your career. The support from CIPPS made this experience possible, and I am truly grateful to be part of such a collaborative and forward-thinking research community.