Dhanushka Nadeeshan Wanasinghe

Publications:

• Wanasinghe et al. 2018. Taxonomic circumscription and phylogenetics of novel didymellaceous taxa with brown muriform spores. Studies in Fungi
• Wanasinghe et al. 2018. Fungal diversity notes 709–839: taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions to fungal taxa with an emphasis on fungi on Rosaceae. Fungal Diversity
• Wanasinghe et al. 2018. Novel palmicolous taxa within Pleosporales: Multigene phylogeny and taxonomic circumscription. Mycological Progress
• Wanasinghe et al. 2017. Saprobic Dothideomycetes in Thailand: Muritestudina gen. et sp. nov. (Testudinaceae) a new terrestrial pleosporalean ascomycete, with hyaline and muriform ascospores. Studies in Fungi
• Wanasinghe et al. 2017. Phylogenetic revision of Camarosporium (Pleosporineae, Dothideomycetes) and allied genera. Studies in Mycology
• Wanasinghe et al. 2017. Saprobic Dothideomycetes in Thailand: Neoaquastroma gen. nov. (Parabambusicolaceae) introduced based on morphological and molecular data. Phytotaxa
• Wanasinghe et al. 2017. A family level rDNA based phylogeny of Cucurbitariaceae and Fenestellaceae with descriptions of new Fenestella species and Neocucurbitaria gen. nov. Mycosphere
• Wanasinghe et al. 2016. Saprobic Dothideomycetes in Thailand: Vaginatispora appendiculata sp. nov. (Lophiostomataceae) introduced based on morphological and molecular data. Studies in Fungi
• Wanasinghe et al. 2016. Neoleptosphaeria jonesii sp. nov., a novel saprobic sexual species, in Leptosphaeriaceae. Mycosphere
• Wanasinghe et al. 2016. Taxonomy and phylogeny of Laburnicola gen. nov. and Paramassariosphaeria gen. nov. (Didymosphaeriaceae, Massarineae, Pleosporales). Fungal Biology
• Wanasinghe et al. 2016. Book reviews. Fungal diversity
• Wanasinghe et al. 2015. The Genus Murispora. Cryptogamie Mycologie
• Wanasinghe et al. 2015. A new species of the genus Comoclathris (Pleosporaceae). Journal of Fungal Research
• Wanasinghe et al. 2014. An Exciting Novel Member of Lentitheciaceae in Italy from Clematis Vitalba. Cryptogamie Mycologie
• Wanasinghe et al. 2014. Dematiopleospora mariae gen. sp. nov., from Ononis spinosa in Italy. Cryptogamie Mycologie

Experiences at the University

Time spent in the University campus has given me wonderful life experiences which I shall perceive as lifetime rewards. I have encountered some of the most life enriching moments ever. Few are the occasions when you get such freedom outside of your homeland. So better seize the opportunity and get the maximum from it!

Undoubtedly, I have learned and polished my knowledge on fungal taxonomy which has subsequently enabled me to undertake an innovative career. However, I have earned further achievements beyond the academic framework, such as how to manage time, finance, studies and social life and simply how to get along with a variety of people from many different walks of life.

Students nowadays, as per my perception, seem to be seeking more supervision rather than self-learning and discovering. I would instead encourage you to take more initiatives and be more curious. Embrace the whole experience; it is a chance not to be missed!

I would love to go back being an undergrad again where I could also make a better job of my first paper.

Work experience and present expertise since leaving the University.

The evolution from student to graduate life is a different experience for every person and it undoubtedly has its own challenges, especially following the graduation. In my case, however, I did not struggle with unemployment since I found a postdoc soon after completing my PhD from the Center. It is true that we always get a ‘decent recognition’ from outside as graduates from the Center.

I am currently a postdoctoral fellow in the Kunming institute of botany at Chinese academy of sciences, where my research is based on the impact of climate change on microfungal diversity and biogeography in the Greater Mekong Subregion.

As a graduate from the Center with a solid educational background, extensive research experience and good sense of teamwork, I am confident that I shall be able to make a significant contribution to any place.

Alumni wisdom

Be helpful without a hidden agenda. Mostly it won’t be appreciated, remembered or rewarded. But keep doing it !!!
Don’t envy success, be a part of it.
Follow your passion and don’t let anyone or anything stop you! You’ll be glad you did.
Enjoy life. Make opportunities to spend time abroad. Volunteer. Explore the Chiang Rai. Go to gym. Booze sometimes.  Have fun!

Personal details

Current affiliation: Key Laboratory for Plant Biodiversity and Biogeography of East Asia (KLPB), Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming 650201, Yunnan China

Aspirations: Travelling the world, trek the Inca trail, boat ride on lake Titicaca, achieve my ideal weight