Sahan Ranamukhaarachchi
Microneedles for Epidermal Vaccine Delivery
Peradeniya, Central Province, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
Upon completing my masters degree at Waterloo in Chemical Engineering, I was interested in pursuing further studies as a doctoral student in the area of drug delivery.
Why did you decide to study at UBC?
UBC offered me a project that not only aligned with my research interests but one that is multidisciplinary and dynamic; the ability to work in both science and engineering settings presented a unique opportunity.
What do you hope to accomplish with your research?
At the end of my PhD work, I aim to create a microneedle product that is inexpensive, pain-free, and can deliver vaccines efficiently to the skin. Since skin vaccination also has dose-sparing advantages, this product will allow us to get vaccines to a much larger population on a global level at a very low cost, and more importantly, without the need for medical facilities.
What are your future career goals?
I aim to pursue a career in the medical industry as a biomedical engineer to find efficient and cost-effective solutions to treat fatal diseases prevailing our world today.
What has been your most memorable Vancouver experience so far?
Vancouver offers a balanced combination of city-life and nature like no other place, and there is always something to do and new places to see.
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
Pick a city, university, a professor, and a research group that will offer you something different and hopefully better than what you had before. Gather as much information as possible to make an informed decision on the research project, its duration, the financial aspects of living in Vancouver, and housing before choosing the right place for your graduate studies.
Personal Interests / Hobbies
Sports (Soccer, Cricket, Tennis, Badminton, Table Tennis, Running), Photography (Landscape, for which Vancouver is fantastic), Music, etc.