Anna Karunatilleke | Qualitative Study | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Anna Karunatilleke | Qualitative Study | Best Researcher Award

Anna Karunatilleke at University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.

Ms. Anna Karunatilleke is an experienced maritime professional and researcher specializing in business administration, maritime labor policies, and logistics management. With a strong academic background and extensive sea and shore-based experience, she actively contributes to industry discourse on labor strategies, gender inclusion, and unconscious bias in the maritime sector. She is a dedicated advocate for seafarers’ rights and continues to engage in scholarly research and professional initiatives to advance knowledge and equity in the field.

Publication Profile

Orcid

Google Scholar

Educational Details

Ms. Anna Karunatilleke is currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at the University of Kelaniya (2021 – Present). She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Postgraduate Institute of Management, University of Sri Jayawardenepura (2017-2020). Additionally, she has completed the Critical Media and Information Literacy program under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and holds a Certificate of Competency as an Engineering Watch Officer, Class III (Marine Engineering) from the Ministry of Merchant Shipping (2013). Her certifications also include multiple STCW’95-compliant maritime training programs from CINEC, covering areas such as fire prevention, medical first aid, and advanced safety protocols.

Professional Experience

Ms. Karunatilleke has a strong background in both seafaring and shore-based maritime operations. She served as an Engine Cadet at Rickmers Reederei, Germany, on MCS Florida and Delmas Zambia, handling responsibilities related to vessel operations and maintenance. Transitioning to shore-based roles, she worked at Colombo Dockyard Limited (2010-2011), where she gained expertise across various departments, including calibration, automation, ship repair, and fire safety. She later served as an Assistant Quality and Planning Manager at Seagulf Consultancy Lanka (2014-2015), overseeing operations at the Beruwela shipyard. Her extensive experience in the maritime industry is complemented by leadership roles in academia and professional organizations.

Research Interest

Ms. Karunatilleke’s research interests lie at the intersection of maritime engineering, business administration, and transportation sector safety. She is particularly focused on the impact of human factors in maritime operations, safety learning through marine accident investigations, and enhancing seafarer welfare policies. Her contributions to global maritime discussions, including collaborations with IMarEST on safety policies and whitepapers, underline her commitment to industry advancements.

Top Noted Publication

Unconscious Bias Among Seafarers: A Review of the Theoretical Literature

  • Authors: A. Weerakoon Karunatilleke, H. Herath, U. Gunesekara
  • Journal: Pomorstvo
  • Volume: 38 (1)
  • Pages: 67-81
  • Year: 2024

Labour Compensation Strategies/Practices of Maritime Industry – Discussion on Critical Cases

  • Author: W.A. Karunatilleke
  • Journal: Економіка та суспільство (Economy and Society)
  • Year: 2022

Bridging the Waves: A Study of Gender Dynamics and Career Experiences Among Women Seafarers

  • Authors: A.W. Karunatilleke, H. Herath, T. Gunasekare
  • Conference: ICSDB 2024 and SLIIT Business School
  • Year: 2024

Constructal Law Conference (CLC 2023) – Freedom, Design, and Evolution, Turin (Italy), 21–22 September

  • Author: A.W. Karunatilleke
  • Conference: 12th Constructal Law Conference
  • Pages: 180
  • Year: 2023

Essentials in Logistics: Quick Notes to Supply Chain Management (Book 1)

  • Author: A.W. Karunatilleke
  • Year: 2024

Conclusion

Ms. Anna Karunatilleke is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award, given her impactful research on maritime labor policies, gender dynamics, and unconscious bias. Her ability to integrate academic insights with industry challenges makes her a distinguished researcher in her field. By focusing on high-impact publications, international collaborations, and policy development, she can further solidify her contributions to maritime research.

 

 

Suvendu Ojha | Bacteriology | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Suvendu Ojha | Bacteriology | Best Researcher Award

Research Scholar at Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India.

Mr. Suvendu Ojha is a dedicated microbiologist specializing in antimicrobial resistance and bacterial pathogenesis. Currently completing his Ph.D. at BRIC-Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India, his research focuses on efflux-mediated drug resistance in Staphylococcus aureus. With expertise in microbiology, molecular biology, biophysical techniques, and antimicrobial drug discovery, he has contributed to multiple high-impact publications and a patent. His work has led to the identification of FDA-approved drug candidates that restore antibiotic susceptibility in MDR bacteria. He has also actively participated in COVID-19 testing at BSL-3 facilities and presented his research at various scientific forums.

Publication Profile

Scopus

Orcid

Google Scholar

Educational Details

  • Ph.D. in Biotechnology (Microbiology) (Expected: March 2025)

    • Institution: BRIC-Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India

    • Thesis Title: Targeting Efflux-Mediated Drug Resistance in S. aureus to Enhance the Therapeutic Potential of Existing Antibiotics

    • Supervisor: Dr. Tushar Kant Beuria

  • Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Botany (January 2018)

    • Institution: Sambalpur University, India

  • Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Botany (January 2016)

    • Institution: Udayanath Autonomous College of Science and Technology, India

Professional Experience

Junior/Senior Research Fellow (January 2019 – Present)
BRIC-Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India

  • Conducting research on efflux-mediated drug resistance in Staphylococcus aureus, with a focus on developing strategies to restore antibiotic susceptibility.

  • Expertise in microbiology, molecular biology, biophysical techniques, and drug discovery methodologies.

  • Experienced in working with BSL-2 and BSL-3 facilities, including COVID-19 testing.

  • Designed and optimized high-throughput screening assays for identifying novel efflux pump inhibitors.

  • Worked with murine subcutaneous infection models to study bacterial pathogenesis and therapeutic interventions.

Research Interest

  • Investigate efflux-mediated drug resistance in multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens.

  • Develop and repurpose FDA-approved drugs as efflux pump inhibitors to enhance antibiotic efficacy.

  • Explore biofilm inhibition mechanisms in bacterial infections.

  • Understand immune responses and bacterial pathogenesis to design novel therapeutic interventions.

  • Apply biophysical and biochemical techniques to study protein-drug interactions.

Top Noted Publication

1. Efflux Pump Modulation by Montelukast and Its Roles in Restoring Antibiotic Susceptibility in Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

📌 Authors: S. Ojha, S. Sinsinwar, P. Chatterjee, S. Biswal, P. Pradhan, T.K. Beuria
📌 Journal: eBioMedicine (The Lancet)
📌 Volume & DOI: eBioMedicine 114, 105658 (2025)
📌 Summary:

  • Investigates Montelukast, an FDA-approved drug, as a potential efflux pump inhibitor (EPI) in multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MDR S. aureus).

  • Demonstrates that Montelukast enhances antibiotic susceptibility by modulating bacterial efflux pumps.

  • Utilizes biophysical assays and molecular docking to confirm Montelukast’s interaction with bacterial efflux proteins.

  • Implications: Provides a promising combination therapy to counteract antibiotic resistance in S. aureus.

2. Ajoene: A Natural Compound with Enhanced Antimycobacterial and Antibiofilm Properties Mediated by Efflux Pump Modulation and ROS Generation Against M. Smegmatis

📌 Authors: A. Sarangi, B.S. Das, I. Pahuja, S. Ojha, V. Singh, S. Giri, A. Bhaskar
📌 Journal: Archives of Microbiology
📌 Volume & Pages: 206 (12), 1-22 (2024)
📌 Summary:

  • Explores Ajoene, a sulfur-containing compound from garlic, as an efflux pump inhibitor in Mycobacterium smegmatis.

  • Demonstrates dual action of Ajoene:

    • Efflux pump inhibition, leading to increased antibiotic retention inside bacterial cells.

    • Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generation, causing bacterial stress and enhanced cell death.

  • Findings suggest that Ajoene has strong antibiofilm properties, making it a promising natural antimicrobial agent for tuberculosis drug development.

3. Thymol as a Biofilm and Efflux Pump Inhibitor: A Dual-Action Approach to Combat Mycobacterium tuberculosis

📌 Authors: B. Shankar Das, A. Sarangi, I. Pahuja, V. Singh, S. Ojha, S. Giri, A. Bhaskar
📌 Journal: Cell Biochemistry and Function
📌 Volume & DOI: 42 (8), e70030 (2024)
📌 Summary:

  • Investigates Thymol, a natural phenolic compound, as a potent efflux pump and biofilm inhibitor against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

  • Shows that Thymol disrupts bacterial biofilms, thereby enhancing antibiotic penetration.

  • Provides mechanistic insights into how Thymol modulates bacterial efflux pumps, improving antibiotic efficacy.

  • Potential application: Could be developed as a natural adjuvant therapy to combat drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).

Conclusion

Mr. Suvendu Ojha is a strong contender for the Best Researcher Award due to his pioneering work in antimicrobial resistance, high-impact publications, and expertise in microbiology and drug discovery. His research is highly translational, with potential real-world applications in infectious disease treatment. While he can enhance his profile through greater leadership roles and independent funding, his existing contributions make him a highly suitable candidate for this award.