Qualifications

• PhD (Physiotherapy), The University of Newcastle 
• MPhil, University of Peradeniya 
• Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Statistics, University of Peradeniya 
• BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy, University of Peradeniya 
• Diploma in Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Peradeniya 
• Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Education, Federation University

Areas of interest

• Evidence-based research 
• Systematic and scoping reviews 
• Musculoskeletal research  
• Chronic diseases 
• Research methods  
• Meta research

Grants

• Rebecca Phillips, Naomi Norris, Nicholas Johnson, Richard Hession, Daniel Crowder, Ishanka Weerasekara, Marie-Louise Bird. Enhancing rural healthcare access through Community Co-design of a Student-led Interdisciplinary Health and Wellbeing Hub service, CERC – SEED grant ($5,000)  
• Porter J, Hualda L, Soldatenko D,  S, Weerasekara I. Offshore wind energy workforce preparation study, TAFE Gippsland ($30,000) 
• Suzanne Snodgrass, Jodie Marquez, Frini Karayanidis, Sarah Johnson, Sarah Blyton, Ishanka Weerasekara, Sarah Valkenborghs, Suzi Edwards.  Neural mechanisms underpinning the effects of cognitive load on postural stability with ageing. The Balance and Brain Study. School of Health Sciences Strategic Pilot Grant Scheme, School of Health Sciences – University of Newcastle ($9,953) 
• Jodie Marquez, Suzanne Snodgrass, Sarah Blyton, Ishanka Weerasekara, Sarah Valkenborghs. Rehabilitation technology in clinical practice: providing opportunity and evaluating implementation, Strategic Research Grant, The University of Newcastle, Australia ($5,000) 

Awards

• 2025: Vice Chancellor´s Early Career Research Award, Federation University
• 2025: Vice Chancellor´s commendation for Enhancing the Student Experience, Federation University (Richard Biss, Marie-Louise Bird, Daniel Crowder, Richard Hession, Christine Hiscks, Paul Kemel, Dulan Kodikara, Naomi Norris, Rebecca Phillips, Jane Strachan, Ishanka Weerasekara, Mitchell Wheeler, Lisa Zeldenryk, Maryam Zoghi)  
• 2025: IHW teaching excellence commendation, Federation University
• Evidence Synthesis Ireland Top Up Bursary Award, University of Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland 
• 2020: Faculty Research Award, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka 
• 2015: University of Newcastle IPRS (International Postgraduate Research Scholarship) and APA (Australian Postgraduate Awards) Scholarships, The University of Newcastle  

Current

• PhD student, Federation University, 'Supporting Academic Success in Tertiary Students Living with Persistent Pelvic Pain: Identifying Needs, Understanding Cultural and Health Belief Influences, and Developing Targeted Support Strategies', principal supervisor.  
• PhD student, The University of Adelaide, 'The healthcare access and utilisation for neck pain in Australia', co-supervisor 
• Master's student, The University of Adelaide, 'The contemporary occupational health-related problems amongst podiatry professionals', co-supervisor. 
• Master's student, University of Peradeniya , 'Clinical Decision Making on Weight-Bearing Status of Radiographs in Assessing Foot and Ankle Musculoskeletal Complaints of Ambulatory Patients: Current Practice and the Sri Lankan Health Care Practitioners’ Perspectives', co-supervisor 
• Honours student, Federation University, 'What are the most common outcome measurement instruments used to assess the core domain set? (pain severity, ankle range of motion and health-related quality of life) in clinical trials for ankle osteoarthritis (OA)', principal supervisor. 
• Honours student, Federation University, 'What are the most common outcome measurement instruments used to assess the core domain set? (function, and disability) in clinical trials for ankle osteoarthritis (OA)', principal supervisor. 
• Honours student, Federation University, 'The effect of Pilates Exercises on Urinary Incontinence within the Postpartum population', principal supervisor.
• Honours student, Federation University, 'A Systematic Review of Exercise Interventions for Postpartum Diastasis Recti: Influence of Caesarean and Vaginal Delivery Modes on Recovery Outcomes', co-supervisor.

Past

• PhD student, The University of Newcastle, 'Effect of Exercise on Older Adults, and Factors Influencing Physical Activity for Residents Living in Australian Residential Homes', co-supervisor. 
• Master's student, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, 'Painful considerations in exercise-management for rotator cuff related shoulder pain: a scoping review on pain-related prescription parameters', co-supervisor. 
• Master's student, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, 'What is the effect of ambulatory oxygen on exercise capacity, dyspnea and quality of life, in COPD patients that are normoxemic at rest?', co-supervisor 
• Master's student, University of Peradeniya, 'Effectiveness of the shock wave therapy in combination with intensive physiotherapy exercise program for the officer cadets diagnosed with Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome at Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka', co-supervisor. 
• Master's student, University of Peradeniya, 'Characteristics in Individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis Presenting with Lower Back Pain; Can lumbar strengthening exercises combined with routine exercises improve Pain and Disability?', principal supervisor. 
• Honours student, The University of Newcastle, 'Retinal Thickness Changes in Alzheimer’s Disease Assessed by Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography and Neuropsychological Tests', co-supervisor. 
• Honours student, The University of Newcastle, 'Cerebral Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Analysis of Post-COVID-19 Biochemical Changes in the Brain', co-supervisor.
• Honours student, The University of Newcastle, 'Retinal Thickness in Huntington’s Disease as assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography', co-supervisor.
• Honours student, The University of Newcastle, 'Evaluating retinal changes associated with heart failure as assessed by Optical coherence tomography (OCT)', co-supervisor. 
• Honours student, The University of Newcastle, 'Sport related concussion and retinal changes in optical coherence tomography', co-supervisor. 
• Honours student, The University of Newcastle, 'Evaluation of the Stroke Research Register (Hunter, New South Wales, Australia)`, co-supervisor. 
• Honours student, University of Peradeniya, 'The secretor status of abo blood group antigens in saliva in people with oral cancers', principal supervisor. 
• Honours student, University of Peradeniya, 'Quality and Sources of Food and Water Consumed by People with Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Aetiology in Sri Lanka', principal supervisor. 
• Honours student, Federation University, `Systematic Review of Balance Outcome Measures for Spaceflight and Lunar Missions´, co-supervisor. 
• Honours student, Federation University, 'Endometriosis and Tertiary Students in Australia:  Journey Through Pain, Stigma, and Societal Impact', co-supervisor. 
• Honours student, Federation University, 'Exploring Patient Reported Outcome Measures of Quality of Life in Women with A Diagnosis of Endometriosis: A Scoping Review', co-supervisor. 
• Honours student, Federation University, 'Mapping Evidence Associated with Muscle Strength whilst in Microgravity Conditions: A Scoping Review', co-supervisor. 
• Honours student, Federation University, 'The Role of Healthcare Professionals in the Rehabilitation and Injury Management of E-Sports Athletes: A Scoping Review', co-supervisor 
• Honours student, Federation University, 'Psychology as a Kuhnian Paradigm: A Citation Analysis', co-supervisor. 
• Honours student, Federation University, 'Psychology and Kuhn’s Model of Science: A Systematic Review of 50 Years of Debate', co-supervisor. 
• Honours student, Federation University, 'From Computer to Clinic: Exploring the Aetiology and Management of Lower Back Pain in Esports: A scoping review', co-supervisor.
• Honours student, Federation University, 'Investigation of Exercise Physiologist Students' Knowledge and Attitudes on Physiotherapy Scope of Practice', co-supervisor.
• Honours student, Federation University, 'Investigation of Physiotherapy Students' Knowledge and Attitudes on Exercise Physiologist Scope of Practice', co-supervisor. 

• Evidence-based practice 
• Musculoskeletal physiotherapy 
• Physiotherapy skills 
• Healthcare and health promotion  
• Interprofessional education 
• Evidence synthesis 

Specialist roles

• Adjunct Senior Lecturer, The University of Adelaide  
• Adjunct Lecturer, The University of Newcastle 
• Staff member, Cochrane Norway 
• Member, Australian Physiotherapy Association grant review committee 
• Associate Editor, BMC Systematic Reviews

• Research Bar, Research dissemination channel iwth over 950 subscribers: https://www.youtube.com/@IshankaWeerasekara