Dilantha Fernando

Dr. Dilantha Fernando is a Professor and Dean of Studies at St. Paul's College, University of Manitoba. He holds adjunct professorships at the Centre for Crop Health, University of Southern Queensland and the National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Sri Lanka. His career spans over 25 years in plant pathology research, with a focus on host-pathogen interactions in canola and wheat diseases.

• Education: PhD in Plant Pathology (Oregon State University), MSc in Microbiology (University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka), BSc (Hons) in Botany (University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka)

Dr. Fernando is renowned for his work on blackleg disease in canola, developing 38 cultivars with improved resistance. His research integrates molecular approaches with conventional methods for sustainable disease management. Key areas include fungal pathogenesis, phytomicrobiome dynamics, and fungicide resistance in crops.

His recent publications emphasize Verticillium wilt, Fusarium head blight, and genetic resistance mechanisms. By 2024, he had over 165 peer-reviewed papers and 14 book chapters, with a h-index of 53 and citations exceeding 9,878.

Professional Recognition:

• 2024 Fellow – Canadian Phytopathological Society
• 2024 Lifetime International Research Achievement in Agriculture Award, Taiwan
• 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award for Agricultural and Environmental Sustainability
• 2022 Fellow – Asian PGPR Society

Dr. Fernando has mentored over 75 graduate students and postdocs, including the 2019 PhD student Rasanie Padmathileke. He has secured over $47 million in research funding, including the largest NSERC-CRD grant in Canadian agriculture.

As Editor-in-Chief of Plant Pathology (2023–present), he shapes global research discourse. His laboratory in Manitoba leads studies on plant immunity, fungal epidemiology, and genomic-based disease forecasting.