Dr. Anusha Jatheesan

Senior Lecturer (Grade II)

Bsc. Human Biology (Special), PhD (Biochemistry)

Basic Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
RG GS
Contact:

Colombo Regional Center, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, The Open University of Sri Lanka,

Office: 0112881000, Ext: 721

janus@ou.ac.lk

I graduated with B.Sc. Special Degree (Hons) in Human Biology from the University of Jayewardenepura. I started my higher studies at Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. I earned my PhD degree in Biochemistry during 2019. In 2022, I joined The Open University of Sri Lanka as a Senior Lecturer in Human Physiology and Human Anatomy.

Google Scholar : https://scholar.google.com/citations?authuser=1&user=fYwytHIAAAAJ 

ResearchGate profile : https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anusha-Kaneshapillai

ORCID : https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9356-5294

Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57197771719

Last Updated on 9 months

Areas of Specialization:

Human Biology, Biochemistry, Nutrition

Research interests:

Nutrition and Biochemistry

Programme Coordination:

Human Physiology and Human Anatomy

Course Coordination:

BSU3431, BSU3230, BSU4245

Awards:
  • UNS Early Carrier Travel Grant in the International Congress of Nutrition: IUNS-ICN 2022. Held in the
    Tokyo, Japan during 6th to 11th December. Held in the Tokyo, Japan during 6th to 11th December.
  • THE PROFESSOR ZEF EBRAHIM AWARD for the Best paper in the tropical Paediatrics. At 24th Annual Scientific Congress of the Sri Lanka College of paediatricians, April 2022.
  • Semi-finalist at the SLAYS 3MT competition 2018. 
  • Merit award at the 7th National Science and Technology Commission, Young Scientists Forum (YSF) symposium. held on 19th January 2018 at Wayamba University of Sri Lanka.
  • Best oral presentation: Nursing & Allied Health Sciences category, National Health Research Symposium, 2017, organized by Ministry of health, Sri Lanka 
  • Session’s best oral presentation award at 3rd International Conference on Public Health (ICOPH) 2017 help in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 27th – 29th  July.

Travel grants 

  • Awarded with the “National Science Foundation Travel Grant” to participate in the 13th Asian congress of Nutrition 2019 held in Bali, Indonesia.
Publications:

Published journals full papers (National)

  • K Anusha, U P K Hettiaratchi, G Liyanage and D P S Gunasekera. Vitamin D status of pregnant mothers and its effect on anthropometric measures in the offspring: A preliminary study. Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health. 2018; 47: 211-214

Published journals full papers (International)

  • Guwani Liyanage, Anusha Kaneshapillai, Suthesan Kanthasamy, “Serum Vitamin D Level and Risk of Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Case-Control Study”, Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases, vol. 2021, Article ID 2157337, 6 pages, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/2157337 
  • Kaneshapillai A, Hettiaratchi U, Prathapan S, Liyanage G. Parathyroid hormone in Sri Lankan pregnant women: Vitamin D and other determinants. Plos one. 2021 Oct 8;16(10):e0258381. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0258381
  • Kaneshapillai Anusha, Usha Hettiaratchi, Dulani Gunasekera, Shamini Prathapan and Guwani Liyanage (2019). Maternal vitamin D status and its effect on vitamin D levels in early infancy in a tertiary care centre in Sri Lanka. The International Journal of Endocrinology.2019; 1-6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/9017951
  • Kaneshapillai Anusha, Liyanage Guwani, Hettiaratchi Usha, Gunasekera Dulanie. Impact of diet on vitamin D status in a Sri Lanka-based sample of pregnant women. Journal of Health and Social Sciences. 2018; 3,1:75-84. DOI: 10.19204/2018/mpct7 
  • K Anusha, U.P.K Hettiaratchi, L.V Athiththan and P.P.R Perera. Inter-relationship of serum leptin levels with selected anthropometric parameters among a non diabetic population- A cross sectional study. Eating and Weight Disorders-Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity. 2017 published online first. DOI 10.1007/s40519-017-0413-x. 
  • Kasuni N. W. Walatara, Nusha Farook, Anusha Kaneshapillai, Lohini V. Athiththan, Rasika Perera, Usha P. K. Hettiaratchi (2014). Effect of central obesity on lipid profile in non-diabetic, non-hypertensive subjects – A preliminary study. International Journal in Multidisciplinary Studies (IJMS)-2014; vol 1(1): 123-129.

 

Published journal abstract (International)

  • Anusha K, Hettiaratchi UPK, Gunasekera DPS, Liyanage GSH. Vitamin D [25(OH)D] deficiency in a cohort of mothers and their offspring in Sri Lanka. Is it real? (2019). Annals of nutrition Metabolism-13th Asian Congress of Nutrition 2019, Bali, Indonesia. 75 (suppl 3): p 314. 
  • K Anusha, Guwani Liyanage, UPK Hettiaratchi (2017). Dietary Vitamin D intake among lactating mothers and it’s correlation to Vitamin D status of their offspring. International Journal of Non-communicable Diseases- Official Publication of World NCD Federation: The 1st World Non communicable Diseases conference Chandigarh, India. Abs. No. AB00OR745; 2 (1): p 99-100.
  • K.N.W.Walatara, K. Anusha, M.F.F. Nusha, U.P.K. Hettiaratchi L.V Athiththan and P.P.R. Perera (September 15–20, 2013). Correlations between different anthropometric measurements and indices in a selected Sri Lankan population-a preliminary study. Annals of nutrition Metabolism- 20th International Congress of Nutrition Granada, Spain; 63 (suppl 1): p 469-470. 
  • M.F.F. Nusha, K. A, K.N.W.Walatara, U.P.K. Hettiaratchi L.V Athiththan and P.P.R. Perera (September 15–20, 2013). Food frequency data of a selected Sri Lankan population. Annals of nutrition Metabolism- 20th International Congress of Nutrition Granada, Spain; 63 (suppl 1): p 1772.

 

Published journal abstracts (National)

  • Anusha K, Hettiaratchi UPK, Prathapan S, Gunasekera DPS, Liyanage GSH and Dammike Silva. Serum vitamin D levels and exposure to sun-a study among a population of pregnant mothers in the Colombo District (2019). The Sri Lankan Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology-52nd Annual Scientific Congress Sri Lankan College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists. 41 (suppl 1): pp 40.
  • K Anusha, U P K Hettiarachchi, S. Prathapan, D P S Gunasekera and G Liyanage. Maternal vitamin D, parathyroid hormone and bone specific alkaline phosphatase among a population of pregnant mothers in the Colombo District. The Sri Lanka Journal of Diabetes Endocrinology and Metabolism-SLENDO 2019 international conference. 

 

Proceeding extended abstracts (National)

  • K Anusha, UPK Hettiaratchi, S Prathapan and G Liyanage (2020). Cut off for hypovitaminosis D based on parathyroid hormone levels among a population of pregnant mothers in the Colombo District. 9th National Science and Technology Commission, Young Scientists Forum (YSF) symposium. 
  • Anusha K, Liyanage GSH and Hettiaratchi (2018). Maternal vitamin D levels during 3rd  trimester of pregnancy, lactation and its relationship with vitamin D level of their offspring   among a selected population of mothers in Sri Lanka. 7th National Science and Technology Commission, Young Scientists Forum (YSF) symposium, p:15-18.
  • K.N.W Walatara, K.Anusha, M.F.F Nusha, L.V Athiththan, U.P.K Hettiaratchi and P.P.R Perera (2014). Assessment of insulin resistance using anthropometric measurements in selected non-diabetic Sri Lankan subjects. 3rd National Science and Technology Commission, Young Scientists Forum (YSF) symposium.
  • K.N.W. Walatara, M.F.F. Nusha, K. Anusha, L.V. Athiththan, P.P.R. Perera, and U.P.K. Hettiaratchi (2014). Association of fasting levels of plasma glucose and serum insulin with anthropometric parameters in healthy Sri Lankan adults. 3rd National Science and Technology Commission, Young Scientists Forum (YSF) symposium.
  • M.F.F Nusha, K.N.W Walatara, K Anusha, P.P.R Perera, L.V Athiththan & U.P.K Hettiaratchi (2014).  Is apolipoprotein B good marker for dyslipidaemia? A study among selected normal healthy population. 3rd National Science and Technology Commission, Young Scientists Forum (YSF) symposium.

Communications (International)

  • Anusha Kaneshapillai, Usha Hettiaratchi, Shamini Prathapan, Guwani Liyanage. Determining the
    cut off values for hypovitaminosis D among pregnant mothers in Colombo District-Sri Lanka. 22nd
    IUNS-International Congress of Nutrition. Held in the Tokyo, Japan during 6th to 11th December
  • Anusha K, Prathapan S, Hettiaratchi UPK, Gunasekera DPS, Silva D, Liyanage G. Do   socio   demographic   characteristics   influence   the   correlation   between   vitamin   D   and parathyroid hormone? Study among pregnant mothers in the Colombo district, Sri Lanka. International Conference on Health Sciences 2019. P 119
  • Anusha K, Hettiaratchi UPK, Prathapan S and Liyanage G. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among a population of pregnant mothers in urban, rural and estate sectors in the Colombo District (2019). 6th International conference on multidisciplinary approaches, p:45.
  • K. Anusha, G.S.H Liyanage, U.P.K Hettiaratchi and Gunasekera DPS. Vitamin D levels during early infancy in a cohort of Sri Lankan children (2017). 6th Global Congress for Consensus in Paediatrics and Child Health (CIP 2017), p:166.
  • K. Anusha, G.S.H Liyanage and U.P.K Hettiaratchi. Adequacy of calcium intake of breast feeding mothers in selected Sri Lankan population (2017). Peradeniya University International Research Sessions (iPURSE), vol 21, p:302
  • K. Anusha, G.S.H Liyanage and U.P.K Hettiaratchi. Does sun exposure affect vitamin D level in neonates? (2017). Peradeniya University International Research Sessions (iPURSE), vol 21, p:301. 
  • K. Anusha, G.S.H Liyanage and U.P.K Hettiaratchi   Vitamin D status of a cohort of breast feeding mothers and their offspring in Sri Lanka- A preliminary study (2017). 4th International conference on multidisciplinary approaches, p:80.
  • K. Anusha, U.P.K Hettiaratchi, G.S.H Liyanage (2017). Effect of maternal vitamin D levels on anthropometric measures in infants. 3rd International Conference on Public Health (ICOPH) 2017- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, p:49. 
  • Perera P.P.R., Walatara K., Anusha K., Nusha M.F.F., Hettiarachchi U.P.K., Athiththan L.V. (2014). Can fasting serum leptin predict fasting insulin levels and insulin resistance in non-diabetics? 127th Anniversary International Medical Congress of the Medical Association
  • Kaneshapillai A, Mahawithanage S.T.C. Suresh T.S (2014). Customer preferences regarding purchase of foods and associations with socio-demographic characteristics. International Conference on Developmental Origins of Adiposity and Long-Term Health, Germany.
  • K. Anusha, M. F. F. Nusha, K. N. W. Walatara, U. P. K. Hettiaratchi, P. P. R. Perera and L. V. Athiththan (2014). Relationship between anthropometric parameters, socio-demographic characters and physical activity: a cross-sectional study among non-diabetic population. 1st Ruhuna International Science and Technology Conference.
  • K.N.W. Walatara, M.F.F. Nusha, K. Anusha, L.V. Athiththan, P.P.R. Perera and U.P.K. Hettiaratchi (2014). Study of fasting plasma glucose levels in non-diabetic subjects related to selected risk factors for type-2 diabetes. 1st Ruhuna International Science and Technology Conference.
  • M.F.F. Nusha, K. Anusha, K.N.W.Walatara, P.P.R. Perera, L.V Athiththan and U.P.K. Hettiaratchi (2013). The association between lipid profile and anthropometric indices in selected normal healthy Subjects. 6th Annual international research symposium of Sir John Kotelawala Defense University. 

 

Communications (National)

  • Guwani Liyanage, Anusha Kaneshapillai, Suthesan Kanthasamy. Serum Vitamin D Level and Risk of Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Case-Control Study (2022). 24th Annual Scientific congress of the Sri Lankan College of Paediatricians.
  • Anusha Kaneshapillai, Usha Hettiaratchi, Shamini Prathapan, Dulanie Gunasekera, Dammike Silva, Guwani Liyanage. Is peripheral ultrasound BMD measure, a useful tool to identify the Vitamin D deficiency: A study among a population of pregnant mothers in the Colombo district (2019). National Health Research Symposium, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, p:67
  • K Anusha, U P K Hettiaratchi and G Liyanage. Assessment of 25(OH)D threshold in a population of pregnant mothers (2018). 1st Bi-annual conference of College of Biochemists of Sri Lanka, p:22.
  • Anusha K, Liyanage GSH, Hettiaratchi UPK, Silva KCDP and Gunasekara DPS. Dietary vitamin D intake among a selected population of pregnant mothers in Sri Lanka (2018). Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka, annual scientific sessions, p:08.
  • Anusha K, Liyanage GSH, Hettiaratchi UPK, Silva KCDP and Gunasekara DPS. Vitamin D levels in pregnant and lactating mothers: Are they adequate? (2018). Annual Scientific sessions of clinical society, Colombo South Teaching Hospital, p:10. 
  • Anusha K, Liyanage GSH and Hettiaratchi UPK. Dietary vitamin D intake among a selected population of lactating mothers and it’s correlation to vitamin D status of the infant (2017). National Health Research Symposium, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, p:129. 
  • Anusha K, Liyanage GSH, Hettiaratchi UPK, Silva KCDP and Gunasekara DPS (2017), Dietary calcium intake among a selected population of pregnant mothers: A preliminary study. Scientific Sessions of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, p:87. 
  • A. Kaneshapillai, S. Mahawithanage and S. Suresh Customer preferences regarding purchase of foods and the impact of nutritional knowledge on the food selection (2016). Annual Scientific Sessions, Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka.
  • K. Anusha, K.N.W.Walatara, M.F.F. Nusha, U.P.K. Hettiaratchi L.V Athiththan and P.P.R. Perera (2014). Association between serum leptin levels with anthropometric assessments in a non-diabetic Sri Lankan population. Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka, annual scientific sessions.
  • K.N.W. Walatara, M.F.F. Nusha, K. Anusha, L.V. Athiththan, P.P.R. Perera and U.P.K. Hettiaratchi (2014). Insulin resistance and serum lipid profile in non-diabetic subjects. Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka, annual scientific sessions.
  • Nusha MFF, Walatara KNW, Anusha K, Perera PPR, Athiththan LV and Hettiaratchi UPK (2014). Do food habits have an impact on lipid profile? A study among selected normal healthy subjects. Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka, annual scientific sessions.
  • .N.W. Walatara, K. Anusha, M.F.F. Nusha, L.V. Athiththan, U.P.K. Hettiaratchi and P.P.R. Perera (2014). Anthropometric measurements and indices on a selected Sri Lankan non-diabetic population. Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka, annual scientific sessions.
  • Anusha K, Walatara KNW, Nusha MFF, Hettiaratchi UPK, Athiththan LV, and Perera PPR (2013). Associations between serum leptin concentrations with waist circumference, hip circumference and waist hip ratio in a selected non-diabetic population. The Physiological Society of Sri Lanka, Annual Scientific Sessions.
  • Nusha MFF, Anusha K, Walatara KNW, Perera PPR, Athiththan LV and Hettiaratchi UPK (2013). Lipid profile and selected lifestyle factors; smoking and consumption of alcohol in a selected non-diabetic population. The Physiological Society of Sri Lanka, Annual Scientific Sessions.
  • Walatara KNW, Anusha K, Nusha MFF, Athiththan LV, Hettiaratchi UPK and Perera PPR (2013). Fasting serum insulin, demographic factors and physical activity in a selected healthy population in the Colombo district. The Physiological Society of Sri Lanka, Annual Scientific Sessions.
  • Walatara KNW, Nusha MFF, Anusha K, Athiththan LV, Perera PPR and Hettiaratchi UPK (2013). Fasting plasma glucose and anthropometric indices in a selected non-diabetic population. The Physiological Society of Sri Lanka, Annual Scientific Sessions.
  • K. Anusha, K.N.W.Walatara, M.F.F. Nusha, U.P.K. Hettiaratchi L.V Athiththan and P.P.R. Perera (2013). Association of MAC and WHtR with BMI, WC and WHR of a non-diabetic population. College of General Practitioners of Sri Lanka, 39th Annual Academic Sessions.
  • K.N.W.Walatara, M.F.F. Nusha, K. Anusha, L.V Athiththan, P.P.R. Perera and U.P.K. Hettiaratchi (2013). Association of serum creatinine and selected anthropometric parameters in selected non-diabetic subjects-a preliminary study. College of General Practitioners of Sri Lanka, 39th Annual Academic Sessions.
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