معرفی
Dr. Thilini Jayasinghe is a Research Fellow at the Sydney Dental School within the Faculty of Medicine and Health at The University of Sydney. She is also a member of the Charles Perkins Centre, where she conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of oral health, microbiome science, and nutrition. Her work bridges clinical dentistry with molecular biology and public health approaches to understand the complex relationships between diet, inflammation, and systemic diseases.
Education:
- PhD in Health Sciences, Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland
- Master of Science in Molecular Bioscience, The University of Sydney
- Master of Science in Food and Nutrition, Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Food Science and Nutrition, Wayamba University, Sri Lanka
Dr. Jayasinghe's research primarily focuses on the intricate relationships between the oral and gut microbiome, inflammation, and diet across various diseases such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and periodontitis. She investigates how oral pathogenic bacteria and inflammatory substances can cross the oral epithelial barrier and enter the bloodstream, leading to systemic inflammation. Her work utilizes infectious mouse models and human experimental gum disease models to understand diet's impact on inflammation. She is actively developing machine learning-based prognostic tools for predicting periodontal disease progression and examining oral health's influence on pregnancy outcomes through the BABY1000 study, which follows pregnant women to explore how the first 1000 days of life might influence long-term health risks for obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Her publication record demonstrates a strong focus on the connections between oral health, gut microbiome, and systemic diseases. Recent work has explored cardiovascular medications' effects on microbiome health, dietary protein's impact on periodontal health, and the role of advanced glycation end-products in periodontitis. She has conducted significant research on fecal microbiota transplantation for obesity treatment and has investigated how preterm birth affects gut bacterial populations in children. Her interdisciplinary approach combines molecular biology, microbiology, and nutrition science to address complex health questions.
Scientific Awards:
- Bursary to attend STAMPS at Marine Biological Laboratory (2017)
- Best short talk at 'Exploring Human Host-Microbiome Interactions' conference (2016)
- University of Auckland Residential Excellence award (2016, 2015)
- University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship (2014)
- Best Presentation at International Course in Nutrition Research Methods (2014)
- Group Academic Excellence in 'Health Research Methods' course (2013)
- Professor HP Gunasena Award for best performance (2008)
Dr. Jayasinghe contributes to teaching in the Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) program, specifically in Evidence Based Practice, Oral & Systemic Biosciences, DMD research projects, and Treatment Planning. She also teaches human nutrition and microbiology. Her current research projects include investigating maternal oral health and adverse pregnancy outcomes, diet-induced stimulation of gut immune regulatory functions against periodontal disease, and the role of dietary fiber in periodontal disease using infectious mouse models. She received the FMH Bright Ideas Grant in 2023 to support her innovative research. Her work on developing a machine learning-based prognostic tool for predicting periodontal disease progression represents an important intersection of dental science and artificial intelligence.
As a member of the Charles Perkins Centre, Dr. Jayasinghe collaborates with multidisciplinary teams focusing on chronic diseases and aging. Her research on oral bacterial translocation in relation to diabetes and cardiovascular diseases provides valuable insights into the oral-systemic connection. Her work with the BABY1000 study positions her at the forefront of understanding how early life factors influence long-term health outcomes, particularly in the context of oral health and its systemic implications.
