Professor Neelika Malavige has been appointed as the President-Elect of the International Society for Infectious Diseases (ISID). She will assume the presidency in 2027, with each term lasting two years. Professor Malavige has made significant contributions to the field of infectious diseases, particularly in Covid-19 testing, sequencing, and identifying virus strains. Her research has been pivotal in understanding the molecular epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Sri Lanka, the University of Sri Jayewardenepura said.

In recognition of her impactful research, Professor Malavige was listed among the world’s top 2% of scientists, according to the Elsevier-Stanford rankings. Additionally, Professor Malavige has extensively researched dengue pathogenesis, focusing on its immunopathogenesis, biomarkers, and immune correlates of protection. Her work has been instrumental in advancing clinical trials and understanding the disease’s molecular mechanisms, the university added.

“This prestigious appointment not only highlights Professor Malavige’s individual achievements but also brings significant recognition to Sri Lanka and our university,” the university added. “Her leadership role in ISID underscores the global impact of research and scholarship emerging from our institution and emphasises the vital contributions of scientists from diverse backgrounds in addressing infectious diseases worldwide,” the University said.