Chano Ranwala

Chano Ranwala

Higher Degree by Research Candidate

School of Biomedicine

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

My research will investigate the functional contribution of genetic variants impacting enhancer gene elements in common epilepsy.

Common epilepsies are neurological disorders that are characterized by unprovoked seizures. While 70% of cases are implicated to be genetic in nature, the mechanism of action of 50% of genetic cases remain unknown due to complex genetic aetiologies. Therefore, improved insight on the underlying genetics of common epilepsies is vital for better prognostics, diagnostics and therapeutics in patients.

Outcomes of this study would lead to better understanding of non-coding enhancer contributions towards driving common epilepsy and reveal potential drug targets for precision treatments.

  • Awards and Achievements
    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2025 Scholarship University of Adelaide Research Scholarship University of Adelaide Australia -
    2023 Achievement Adelaide MedTech Hackathon : First Place University of Adelaide Australia -
    2023 Scholarship Global Citizens International Scholarship University of Adelaide Australia -
    2022 Award Vice Chancellor’s List Award RMIT University Australia -
    2022 Scholarship Undergraduate Research Scholarship Hudson Institute of Medical Research Australia -
    2020 Award RMIT Biomedical Science Award RMIT University Australia -
    2020 Scholarship Future Leaders Scholarship RMIT University Australia -

  • Language Competencies
    Language Competency
    English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review
    Sinhala; Sinhalese Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    2025 University of Adelaide Australia PhD
    2023 - 2024 University of Adelaide Australia Master of Biotechnology (Biomedical Science) (Advanced)
    2020 - 2022 RMIT University Australia Bachelor of Biomedical Science

  • Research Interests
    Neurogenetics Genomics Biochemistry and Cell Biology Regenerative medicine (incl. stem cells) Neuroscience, Behaviour and Brain Health Early Origins of Health Translational Health Outcomes

Workshop Facilitator for ENTREP1002 : Personal Professional Development

Casual Tutor for BIOTECH7001 : Drug Discovery and Development    

  • Memberships
    Date Role Membership Country
    2022 - ongoing Member Golden Key Honour Society Australia

  • Community Engagement
    Date Title Engagement Type Institution Country
    2021 - ongoing Finalist - In2Science Regional Impact Award Public Community Engagement In2Science Organisation -
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