Kosala Ranathunge

Kosala Ranathunge is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Western Australia's School of Biological Sciences. He holds a PhD in Plant Physiology and Phytochemistry from the University of Bayreuth, Germany, and has held prestigious fellowships including the Alexander-von-Humboldt and ARC Future Fellowship. His research focuses on phosphorus-efficient plant mechanisms, root anatomy, and stress physiology, particularly in Australian native species like Proteaceae. He supervises PhD and HDR students and chairs the School's Health and Safety Committee.

Education:

• BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Biology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
• PhD in Plant Physiology and Phytochemistry, University of Bayreuth, Germany

Research Interests:

• Phosphorus acquisition mechanisms in low-phosphorus soils
• Plant stress responses to salinity, drought, and nutrient deficiency
• Root anatomy and suberin/lignin biosynthesis
• Ecophysiology of Australian native plants

Awards:

• Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellowship (2017)
• Alexander-von-Humboldt Fellowship (2007–2011)
• DAAD Fellowship, Germany

Teaching:

• BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology
• PLNT2201 Plants in Action
• PLNT3301 Plant Physiological Ecology

Labs/Teams: Conducts research in the School of Biological Sciences' plant physiology labs, focusing on root biology and nutrient dynamics.