The National Science Foundation awarded Sandani Wijerathne, a fourth-year microbiology Ph.D. student at Alabama State University a prestigious $75,000 fellowship from the National Science Foundation. The funding will support her efforts to eradicate the coronavirus.
The “Alabama Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, Graduate Research Scholars Program” will support Wijerathne’s investigation into the Feline Coronavirus, which significantly contributes to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am very grateful for the EPSCoR grant, which will greatly assist me in obtaining my Ph.D. in microbiology from Alabama State University,” Wijerathne said. “My research in this area has as its ultimate goal the prevention or the lessening of the effects of future outbreaks of the Coronavirus, which recently had such a negative impact worldwide.”
The COVID-19 crisis influenced Wijerathne’s educational journey, driving her commitment to apply her knowledge to solve critical health challenges.
“As a student of microbiology, I thought of no better use of my research capabilities than to work for a cure for one of the most dangerous diseases that threatens the global population, and ASU’s microbiology program and the grant that I have received, are both making my work possible,” stated Wijerathne.
Making Alabama State University Proud
Dr. Qiana Matthews, the faculty advisor for graduate students in the microbiology department, expressed her pride in Wijerathne’s accomplishments.
“I am very excited that such a hard worker and gifted student as Ms. Wijerathne was awarded this important fellowship,” Matthews said. “She is among our brightest and kindest students, and she has a real desire to make a positive impact in the field of science. She has discussed with me the possibility of her one day starting a non-profit so she will be able to help individuals in a manner that makes medical care more affordable to them and enhances their overall health.”
Matthews believes that the NSF’s EPSCoR award highlights Wijerathne’s academic ability and the university’s microbiology program.
“This award informs academics and healthcare professionals worldwide that Alabama State University’s microbiology program and its graduate students – like Ms. Wijerathne — are conducting and being recognized for achieving the highest level of research that helps lessen the effects of disease, and helps us, as a university, recruit more gifted students to study within our microbiology graduate program, which will contribute to the cycle of greatness that ASU is known for worldwide,” says Matthews.
Wijerathne, a Sri Lankan native, is on track to graduate with her Ph.D next year.