Dr Gelshan Godahewa
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science
College of Health
Dr. Gelshan Godahewa is a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Adelaide in the Genome Engineering Laboratory. Prof. Paul Thomas directs the lab.
Dr. Gelshan Godahewa completed his Ph.D. in Genetics at Jeju National University in 2018 and remained there for his first postdoctoral position, focusing on molecular genetics. In 2019, he relocated to Adelaide to join Prof. Paul Thomas’s laboratory, where he further explored the application of CRISPR/Cas9 for genome engineering. Since then, he has undertaken research positions investigating the application of genetic engineering and gene drive technologies for controlling invasive pest populations.
Dr. Godahewa’s current research at the University of Adelaide focuses on developing innovative mammalian gene drive strategies and genetic engineering approaches for population control of invasive pests. His work integrates fundamental studies in reproductive biology and gene regulation with applied solutions aimed at reducing ecological impacts. The laboratory is also investigating how these genetic technologies can be safely and effectively implemented to advance both scientific understanding and environmental management.
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 - ongoing | Postdoctoral Research Fellow | University of Adelaide |
| 2019 - 2022 | Postdoctoral Research Fellow | Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation |
| 2019 - 2019 | Researcher | University of Adelaide |
| 2018 - 2018 | Postdoctoral Research Fellow | Jeju National University |
| 2011 - 2013 | Lecturer | University of Peradeniya |
| Date | Type | Title | Institution Name | Country | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Award | FHMS Research Travel Awards | Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide | Australia | $1000 |
| 2018 | Research Award | Best Poster | Korean Society of Fisheries and Aquatic Science Conference 2018 | Korea, Republic of | - |
| 2018 | Award | Presidential Award | Jeju National University | Korea, Republic of | - |
| 2017 | Achievement | Patent | Korean Intellectual Property Office | Korea, Republic of | - |
| 2017 | Achievement | Patent | Korean Intellectual Property Office | Korea, Republic of | - |
| 2015 | Research Award | Best Poster | International Conference of the Genetics Society 2015 | Korea, Republic of | - |
| 2012 | Research Award | Alltech Young Scientist Award | Alltech's Young Scientists | United States | - |
| Language | Competency |
|---|---|
| English | Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review |
| Korean | Can read, write, speak and understand spoken |
| Sinhala; Sinhalese | Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review |
| Date | Institution name | Country | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 - 2018 | Jeju National University | South Korea | Doctor of Philosophy |
| 2013 - 2015 | Jeju National University | South Korea | Master of Science |
| 2007 - 2011 | University of Peradeniya | Sri Lanka | Bachelor of Science (Honors) |
| Date | Title | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Postdoctoral Research Fellow | University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2019 - 2022 | Postdoctoral Fellow | Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation | Australia |
| 2018 - 2019 | Postdoctoral Research Fellow | Jeju National University | South Korea |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Chey, Y. C. J., Gierus, L., Lushington, C., Arudkumar, J. C., B. Geiger, A., Staker, L. G., . . . Thomas, P. Q. (2025). Optimal SpCas9- and SaCas9-mediated gene editing by enhancing gRNA transcript levels through scaffold poly-T tract reduction. BMC Genomics, 26(1), 138-1-138-12. Scopus6 WoS5 Europe PMC5 |
| 2024 | Bunting, M. D., Godahewa, G. I., McPherson, N. O., Robertson, L. J., Gierus, L., Piltz, S. G., . . . Thomas, P. Q. (2024). Investigating the potential of X chromosome shredding for mouse genetic biocontrol.. Sci Rep, 14(1), 13466. Europe PMC1 |
| 2023 | Gierus, L., Birand, A., Bunting, M. D., Godahewa, G. I., Piltz, S. G., Oh, K. P., . . . Thomas, P. Q. (2023). Leveraging a natural murine meiotic drive to suppress invasive populations (vol 119, e2213308119, 2022). PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 120(2), 2 pages. |
| 2022 | Gierus, L., Birand, A., Bunting, M. D., Godahewa, G. I., Piltz, S. G., Oh, K. P., . . . Thomas, P. Q. (2022). Leveraging a natural murine meiotic drive to suppress invasive populations. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of USA, 119(46), 1-11. Scopus26 WoS24 Europe PMC17 |
| 2021 | Adikusuma, F., Lushington, C., Arudkumar, J., Godahewa, G. I., Chey, Y. C. J., Gierus, L., . . . Thomas, P. Q. (2021). Optimized nickase- and nuclease-based prime editing in human and mouse cells. Nucleic Acids Research, 49(18), 10785-10795. Scopus66 WoS62 Europe PMC58 |
| 2019 | Omeka, W. K. M., Liyanage, D. S., Priyathilaka, T. T., Godahewa, G. I., Lee, S., Lee, S., & Lee, J. (2019). Glutaredoxin 1 from big-belly seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis): Molecular, transcriptional, and functional evidence in teleost immune responses. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 90, 40-51. Scopus9 WoS9 Europe PMC7 |
| 2019 | Liyanage, D. S., Omeka, W. K. M., Yang, H., Godahewa, G. I., Kwon, H., Nam, B. H., & Lee, J. (2019). Identification of thioredoxin domain-containing protein 17 from big-belly seahorse Hippocampus abdominalis: Molecular insights, immune responses, and functional characterization. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 86, 301-310. Scopus12 WoS12 Europe PMC10 |
| 2019 | Kulatunga, D. C. M., Dananjaya, S. H. S., Nikapitiya, C., Godahewa, G. I., Cho, J., Kim, C. H., . . . De Zoysa, M. (2019). Stress-immune responses and DNA protection function of thioredoxin domain containing 12 in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 84, 1030-1040. Scopus3 WoS3 Europe PMC2 |
| 2019 | Godahewa, G. I., Perera, N. C. N., Kwon, H., & Lee, J. (2019). Cloning and functional characterization of rockfish peroxiredoxin 4 homolog with its innate immune responses. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 88, 364-374. Scopus6 WoS6 Europe PMC3 |
| 2019 | Perera, N. C. N., Godahewa, G. I., Jung, S., Kim, M. J., Nam, B. H., & Lee, J. (2019). Identification and characterization of a carboxypeptidase N1 from red lip mullet (Liza haematocheila); revealing its immune relevance. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 84, 223-232. Scopus3 WoS3 Europe PMC3 |
| 2019 | Sirisena, D. M. K. P., Perera, N. C. N., Godahewa, G. I., Kwon, H., Yang, H., Nam, B. H., & Lee, J. (2019). A manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) from red lip mullet, Liza haematocheila: evaluation of molecular structure, immune response, and antioxidant function. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 84, 73-82. Scopus14 WoS12 Europe PMC10 |
| 2019 | Kim, J., Perera, N. C. N., Godahewa, G. I., Priyathilaka, T. T., & Lee, J. (2019). Characterization of a catalase from red-lip mullet (Liza haematocheila): Demonstration of antioxidative activity and mRNA upregulation in response to immunostimulants. Gene, 712, 10 pages. Scopus11 WoS10 Europe PMC7 |
| 2018 | Godahewa, G. I., Lee, S., Kim, J., Perera, N. C. N., Kim, M. J., Kwon, M. G., . . . Lee, J. (2018). Analysis of complete genome and pathogenicity studies of the spring viremia of carp virus isolated from common carp (Cyprinus carpio carpio) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides): An indication of SVC disease threat in Korea. Virus Research, 255, 105-116. Scopus23 WoS19 Europe PMC13 |
| 2018 | Perera, N. C. N., Godahewa, G. I., Nam, B. H., Park, J. Y., & Lee, J. (2018). Two metalloenzymes from rockfish (Sebastes schligellii): Deciphering their potential involvement in redox homeostasis against oxidative stress. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 80, 31-45. Scopus3 WoS3 Europe PMC1 |
| 2018 | Godahewa, G. I., Perera, N. C. N., Nam, B. H., & Lee, J. (2018). Antioxidative properties and structural features of atypical 2-Cys peroxiredoxin from Sebastes schlegelii. Developmental and Comparative Immunology, 82, 152-164. Scopus8 WoS8 Europe PMC2 |
| 2018 | Godahewa, G. I., Perera, N. C. N., & Lee, J. (2018). Insights into the multifunctional role of natural killer enhancing factor-A (NKEF-A/Prx1) in big-belly seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis): DNA protection, insulin reduction, H<inf>2</inf>O<inf>2</inf> scavenging, and immune modulation activity. Gene, 642, 324-334. Scopus13 WoS13 Europe PMC6 |
| 2018 | Liyanage, D. S., Omeka, W. K. M., Godahewa, G. I., Lee, S., Nam, B. H., & Lee, J. (2018). Membrane attack complex-associated molecules from redlip mullet (Liza haematocheila): Molecular characterization and transcriptional evidence of C6, C7, C8β and C9 in innate immunity. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 81, 1-9. Scopus16 WoS15 Europe PMC10 |
| 2018 | Kim, M. J., Lee, S., Godahewa, G. I., Hwang, J. Y., Seo, J. S., Hwang, S. D., & Lee, J. (2018). Complete genome sequence and phylogenetic analysis of spring viremia of carp virus isolated from leather carp (Cyprinus carpio nudus) in Korea in 2016. Archives of Virology, 163(10), 2917-2919. Scopus3 WoS3 Europe PMC2 |
| 2018 | Liyanage, D. S., Omeka, W. K. M., Godahewa, G. I., & Lee, J. (2018). Molecular characterization of thioredoxin-like protein 1 (TXNL1) from big-belly seahorse Hippocampus abdominalis in response to immune stimulation. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 75, 181-189. Scopus16 WoS15 Europe PMC11 |
| 2017 | Dananjaya, S. H. S., Kulatunga, D. C. M., Godahewa, G. I., Nikapitiya, C., Oh, C., Edussuriya, M., . . . De Zoysa, M. (2017). Preparation, Characterization, and Antimicrobial Properties of Chitosan–Silver Nanocomposites Films Against Fish Pathogenic Bacteria and Fungi. Indian Journal of Microbiology, 57(4), 427-437. Scopus15 WoS12 Europe PMC5 |
| 2017 | Bathige, S. D. N. K., Umasuthan, N., Godahewa, G. I., Thulasitha, W. S., Jayasinghe, J. D. H. E., Wan, Q., & Lee, J. (2017). Molecular insights of two STAT1 variants from rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus) and their transcriptional regulation in response to pathogenic stress, interleukin-10, and tissue injury. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 69, 128-141. Scopus13 WoS13 Europe PMC8 |
| 2017 | Kulatunga, D. C. M., Dananjaya, S. H. S., Godahewa, G. I., Lee, J., & De Zoysa, M. (2017). Chitosan silver nanocomposite (CAgNC) as an antifungal agent against Candida albicans. Medical Mycology, 55(2), 213-222. Scopus26 WoS25 Europe PMC13 |
| 2017 | Godahewa, G. I., Perera, N. C. N., Lee, S., Kim, M. J., & Lee, J. (2017). A cysteine protease (cathepsin Z) from disk abalone, Haliotis discus discus: Genomic characterization and transcriptional profiling during bacterial infections. Gene, 627, 500-507. Scopus12 WoS12 Europe PMC10 |
| 2017 | Perera, N. C. N., Godahewa, G. I., Lee, S., Kim, M. J., Hwang, J. Y., Kwon, M. G., . . . Lee, J. (2017). Manganese-superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), a role player in seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis) antioxidant defense system and adaptive immune system. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 68, 435-442. Scopus28 WoS22 Europe PMC14 |
| 2017 | Perera, N. C. N., Godahewa, G. I., Hwang, J. Y., Kwon, M. G., Hwang, S. D., & Lee, J. (2017). Molecular, structural, and functional comparison of N lobe and C lobe of the transferrin from rock bream, Oplegnathus fasciatus, with respect to its immune response. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 68, 299-309. Scopus13 WoS12 Europe PMC8 |
| 2016 | Perera, N. C. N., Godahewa, G. I., & Lee, J. (2016). Mitogen–activated protein kinase 1 from disk abalone (Haliotis discus discus): Roles in early development and immunity-related transcriptional responses. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 59, 57-65. Scopus9 WoS8 Europe PMC6 |
| 2016 | Perera, N. C. N., Godahewa, G. I., & Lee, J. (2016). Copper-zinc-superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), an antioxidant gene from seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis); molecular cloning, sequence characterization, antioxidant activity and potential peroxidation function of its recombinant protein. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 57, 386-399. Scopus30 WoS23 Europe PMC16 |
| 2016 | Godahewa, G. I., Perera, N. C. N., Elvitigala, D. A. S., Jayasooriya, R. G. P. T., Kim, G. Y., & Lee, J. (2016). Characterization of a 1-cysteine peroxiredoxin from big-belly seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis); insights into host antioxidant defense, molecular profiling and its expressional response to septic conditions. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 57, 186-197. Scopus14 WoS13 Europe PMC5 |
| 2016 | Perera, N. C. N., Godahewa, G. I., Nam, B. H., & Lee, J. (2016). Molecular structure and immune-stimulated transcriptional modulation of the first teleostean IFP35 counterpart from rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii). Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 56, 496-505. Scopus11 WoS11 Europe PMC8 |
| 2016 | Godahewa, G. I., Perera, N. C. N., Bathige, S. D. N. K., Nam, B. H., Noh, J. K., & Lee, J. (2016). Complement factor D homolog involved in the alternative complement pathway of rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus): Molecular and functional characterization and immune responsive mRNA expression analysis. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 55, 423-433. Scopus9 WoS9 Europe PMC6 |
| 2016 | Godahewa, G. I., Perera, N. C. N., Umasuthan, N., Wan, Q., Whang, I., & Lee, J. (2016). Molecular characterization and expression analysis of B cell activating factor from rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus). Developmental and Comparative Immunology, 55, 1-11. Scopus14 WoS13 Europe PMC9 |
| 2016 | Bathige, S. D. N. K., Umasuthan, N., Jayasinghe, J. D. H. E., Godahewa, G. I., Park, H. C., & Lee, J. (2016). Three novel C1q domain containing proteins from the disk abalone Haliotis discus discus: Genomic organization and analysis of the transcriptional changes in response to bacterial pathogens. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 56, 181-187. Scopus9 WoS9 Europe PMC6 |
| 2016 | Dananjaya, S. H. S., Kulatunga, D. C. M., Godahewa, G. I., Lee, J., & De Zoysa, M. (2016). Comparative study of preparation, characterization and anticandidal activities of a chitosan silver nanocomposite (CAgNC) compared with low molecular weight chitosan (LMW-chitosan). RSC Advances, 6(40), 33455-33461. Scopus11 WoS8 |
| 2016 | Udayantha, H. M. V., Godahewa, G. I., Bathige, S. D. N. K., Wickramaarachchi, W. D. N., Umasuthan, N., De Zoysa, M., . . . Lee, J. (2016). A molluscan calreticulin ortholog from Haliotis discus discus: Molecular characterization and transcriptional evidence for its role in host immunity. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 474(1), 43-50. Scopus9 WoS9 Europe PMC4 |
| 2016 | Dananjaya, S. H. S., Godahewa, G. I., Jayasooriya, R. G. P. T., Lee, J., & De Zoysa, M. (2016). Antimicrobial effects of chitosan silver nano composites (CAgNCs) on fish pathogenic Aliivibrio (Vibrio) salmonicida. Aquaculture, 450, 422-430. Scopus57 WoS46 |
| 2016 | Priyathilaka, T. T., Kim, Y., Udayantha, H. M. V., Lee, S., Herath, H. M. L. P. B., Lakmal, H. H. C., . . . Lim, B. S. (2016). Identification and molecular characterization of peroxiredoxin 6 from Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) revealing its potent antioxidant properties and putative immune relevancy. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 51, 291-302. Scopus20 WoS20 Europe PMC14 |
| 2016 | Herath, H. M. L. P. B., Elvitigala, D. A. S., Godahewa, G. I., Umasuthan, N., Whang, I., Noh, J. K., & Lee, J. (2016). Molecular characterization and comparative expression analysis of two teleostean pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β and IL-8, from Sebastes schlegeli. Gene, 575(2, part 3), 732-742. Scopus49 WoS45 Europe PMC32 |
| 2015 | Herath, H. M. L. P. B., Elvitigala, D. A. S., Godahewa, G. I., Whang, I., & Lee, J. (2015). Molecular insights into a molluscan transferrin homolog identified from disk abalone (Haliotis discus discus) evidencing its detectable role in host antibacterial defense. Developmental and Comparative Immunology, 53(1), 222-233. Scopus10 WoS10 Europe PMC7 |
| 2015 | Godahewa, G. I., Bathige, S. D. N. K., Herath, H. M. L. P. B., Noh, J. K., & Lee, J. (2015). Characterization of rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus) complement components C1r and C1s in terms of molecular aspects, genomic modulation, and immune responsive transcriptional profiles following bacterial and viral pathogen exposure. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 46(2), 656-668. Scopus16 WoS14 Europe PMC10 |
| 2015 | Bathige, S. D. N. K., Umasuthan, N., Godahewa, G. I., Jayasinghe, J. D. H. E., Whang, I., Noh, J. K., & Lee, J. (2015). A homolog of Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor from rock bream, Oplegnathus fasciatus: Molecular insights and transcriptional modulation in response to microbial and PAMP stimulation, and tissue injury. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 46(2), 285-291. Scopus7 WoS6 Europe PMC3 |
| 2015 | Bathige, S. D. N. K., Umasuthan, N., Godahewa, G. I., Thulasitha, W. S., Whang, I., Won, S. H., . . . Lee, J. (2015). Two variants of selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase from the disk abalone Haliotis discus discus: Molecular characterization and immune responses to bacterial and viral stresses. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 45(2), 648-655. Scopus17 WoS15 Europe PMC10 |
| 2015 | Godahewa, G. I., Kim, Y., Dananjaya, S. H. S., Jayasooriya, R. G. P. T., Noh, J. K., Lee, J., & De Zoysa, M. (2015). Mitochondrial peroxiredoxin 3 (Prx3) from rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus): Immune responses and role of recombinant Prx3 in protecting cells from hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 43(1), 131-141. Scopus23 WoS22 Europe PMC13 |
| 2015 | Bathige, S. D. N. K., Umasuthan, N., Godahewa, G. I., Whang, I., Kim, C., Park, H. C., & Lee, J. (2015). Three novel clade B serine protease inhibitors from disk abalone, Haliotis discus discus: Molecular perspectives and responses to immune challenges and tissue injury. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 45(2), 334-341. Scopus5 WoS5 Europe PMC5 |
| 2014 | Dananjaya, S. H. S., Godahewa, G. I., Lee, Y., Cho, J., Lee, J., & De Zoysa, M. (2014). Chitosan silver nano composites (CAgNCs) as antibacterial agent against fish pathogenic Edwardsiella tarda. Journal of Veterinary Clinics, 31(6), 502-506. Scopus3 |
| 2014 | Godahewa, G. I., Wickramaarachchi, W. D. N., Whang, I., Bathige, S. D. N. K., Lim, B. S., Choi, C. Y., . . . Lee, J. (2014). Two carboxypeptidase counterparts from rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus): Molecular characterization, genomic arrangement and immune responses upon pathogenic stresses. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 162(3-4), 180-191. Scopus22 WoS22 Europe PMC16 |
| - | Godahewa GI, D. S. H. S. (2014). Chitosan Silver Nano Composites (Cagncs) as Potential Antibacterial Agent to Control Vibrio tapetis. Journal of Veterinary Science & Technology, 05(05). |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Chey, Y., Gierus, L., Lushington, C., Arudkumar, J., Geiger, A., Staker, L., . . . Adikusuma, F. (2024). Enhancing gRNA Transcript levels by Reducing the Scaffold Poly-T Tract for Optimal SpCas9- and SaCas9-mediated Gene Editing. DOI |
| 2021 | Adikusuma, F., Lushington, C., Arudkumar, J., Godahewa, G., Chey, Y. C. J., Gierus, L., . . . Thomas, P. (2021). Optimized nickase- and nuclease-based prime editing in human and mouse cells. DOI |
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