Dr. P. B. Galhena is an Senior Lecturer (Grade I) and Head of the Department. His Research Interests : Cancer Genetics Herbal and Complimentary Medicine Proteomics in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Honors & Awards: Urine micro albumin/creatinine ratio in wistar rats given unboiled and boiled water collected from dug wells in high disease prevalent areas for CKDU in North Central Province (NCP) and water from low disease prevalent Huruluwewa area in NCP Thammitiyagodage MG, Gunatillake MM, Karunakaran R, Kumara WGSS, Galhena BP, Thabrew MI, awarded S Ramachandran Prize for the best paper in Nephrology, SLMA Annual Sessions 2015 Presidential award for outstanding contribution for research in year 2014. Vice- chancellors award for outstanding research in year 2014. SLAAS, General Research Council award for the “Best Researcher in Medicine, Dental Sciences and Veterinary Medicine for the year 2013”. WHO travel grant to present paper titled “Cytotoxic activity of hot water and ethanolic extracts of a poly-herbal preparation comprised of Nigella sativa, Hemidesmus indicus, and Smilax glabra” at 58th International Congress and Annual Meeting of the Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research, 2010, Berlin, Germany. Fellowship awarded by India- Sri Lanka Foundation to train on in-vitro toxicology assessments after radiation exposure at Indra Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research – 2010. Fellowship awarded by India- Sri Lanka Foundation to carry out collaborative research on cancer genetics at the Dept. of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, India. – 2007. Paper presented on “The effect of periodontal therapy on glycosylated haemoglobin levels in patients with moderate to severe adult periodontitis” was judged as a commendable paper at The Kandy Society of Medicine, 23rd Annual Academic Conference, Volume 23, February 2001. Current research: Study the association of Lipoprotein glycation in diabetic macrovascular complications. Evaluate the potential cardiovascular risk of different Lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)] isoforms. Study the systemic risk of chronic periodontitis focused on coronary heart diseases and diabetes mellitus. Study the use of soluble protein markers of oral and peri-oral cystic lesions in early diagnosis of cystic ameloblastomas. Assessment and evaluation of anti-cancer properties of endemic herbs targeting the development of novel anti-cancer drug leads. Assessment and evaluation of anti-diabetic effects of natural herbal extracts in terms of developing novel anti-diabetic drug leads. Pathophysiological study on the effect of drinking water in initiating and progressing the reported CKDU in North Central Province. Immune modulatory effects of Virgin Coconut oil (VCO); with perspective to its use in the long term management of chronic inflammatory diseases.

Cancer Genetics, Herbal and Complimentary Medicine and Proteomics in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma