Dr J. Arjuna Ratnayaka BSc, MPhil, DIC, PhD
Lecturer in Vision Sciences
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Dr J Arjuna Ratnayaka is a Lecturer in Vision Sciences (School of Medicine) at the University of Southampton.
Dr Ratnayaka brings together expertise in Retinal Cell Biology and Neurodegeneration. After graduating from the University of Aberdeen, Dr Ratnayaka completed a Master’s degree at Imperial College, London, followed by a PhD from the University of Liverpool. His doctoral work characterised the molecular/biochemical fate of proteins associated with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and proliferative vitreoretinopathy. He extended his interests in degenerative pathophysiology at King’s College London, and at the University of Sussex, where his postdoctoral work investigated axonal and synaptic mechanisms in the central nervous system. Dr Ratnayaka’s work helped unravel the molecular pathways of neurotransmission by describing how synaptic vesicles are shared by adjacent synapses, how signalling occurs via extra-synaptic sites and by uncovering novel mechanisms modulating synaptic plasticity.
His group at Southampton studies molecular mechanisms underlying degenerative pathophysiology in the senescent retina and brain. His team comprises of technical and postdoctoral staff as well as PhD students. Their work utilises in-vitro and animal models as well as human donor tissues, and employs techniques such as gene-editing, lentiviruses, stem cells, ultrastructural and 3D imaging. Dr Ratnayaka’s work involves collaborations with other scientists and clinicians as well as industrial partners. His portfolio includes supervision, teaching and mentoring across two Faculties, as well as acting as a PhD examiner. He is the Head of Field (Neuroscience, labs) for BMedSci projects and hosts MSc, MMedSc and BMedSci students in his laboratory.
Dr Ratnayaka is involved in raising awareness of blinding diseases as well as conditions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia through public lectures, workshops and outreach activities on behalf of charities. He also serves in several scientific and academic advisory panels, and acts as a peer-reviewer for grant-awarding bodies (UKRI and other UK/international research charities) as well as scientific journals in his area of expertise.
Qualifications
BSc (Hons) Biochemistry/Immunology, University of Aberdeen with a year industrial placement (Zeneca Pharmaceuticals), (1998)
MPhil (Medicine), DIC (Microbiology), Imperial College, London (2001)
PhD Metabolic and Cellular Medicine, University of Liverpool (2007)
Appointments held
Research Scientist, University of Manchester (2000-2001)
Research Assistant/Associate, University of Liverpool (2003-2006)
Postdoctoral Researcher, King’s College, London (2006-2009)
Research Fellow and Assistant Tutor, University of Sussex (2009-2013)
Lecturer in Vision Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton (2013-present
