Lakshanie Wickramasinghe receives ATA Scientific award

Lakshanie Wickramasinghe is a PhD student
working on lung disease in babies, seen here
presenting at Monash's 2019 3MT finals

Congratulations to Lakshanie Wickramasinghe on her runner up ATA Scientific award!

Lakshanie is a PhD student in Central Clinical School's Department of Immunology and Pathology, working under the supervision of Associate Professor Margaret Hibbs. Lakshanie will be using her award to contribute to the cost of registration and attendance for the Fetal and Neonatal Physiological Society conference, 16 – 19 October 2019 in Marysville, Victoria.


Lakshanie's research is focused on understanding the immune mechanisms underlying the development of a severe, yet common lung disease that affects preterm babies known as Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD).  Of particular interest is understanding how it begins in the early neonatal period and how it can lead to long-term damage to vital organs such as the lungs.

“By attending this conference it will give me to opportunity to hear about current research being undertaken by scientists in the field around the world. It will also give me the opportunity to share my own research with others which may lead to fantastic collaborations in the future”.

More about the award and how to apply

ATA Scientific initiated their Encouragement award in 2011. The award is run four times every year and provides an opportunity for young scientists and their departments to win financial assistance to further their education and to attend scientific conferences and foster collaborations. So far more than 50 students have been awarded over $50K in prize money.

Entries for the competition close 30 September 2019.  Participants need to simply answer a question on the ATA website in 500 words or less. The most amusing or imaginative entry, will receive A$1500. There are also two runner up awards of $600 each.

See award details: www.atascientific.com.au/awards-events-training/current-award/