Regulation of Alternative Splicing by the Sphingolipid, Ceramide.

PUBLICATIONS

Dickson R. C., Sumanasekera C. and Lester R.L. Functions and Metabolism of Sphingolipids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Prog Lipid Res. (2006); 45(6):447-65.

Liu K., Zhang X., Sumanasekera C., Dickson R. C. and Lester R. L. Signaling functions for sphingolipid long-chain bases in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Biochem Soc Trans. (2005); 33(Pt 5):1170 – 3.

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

Chiranthani Sumanasekera, and Robert C. Dickson. Establishing the Yeast Long Chain Base (LCB) – Mediated Heat Stress Pathway In Vivo. 8th Yeast Lipid Conference, Torino, Italy. May 2007 (Oral presentation).

Chiranthani Sumanasekera and Robert C. Dickson. Novel Substrate of the Long Chain Base- Regulated SGK-Type Kinases in Yeast. Gordon Research Conference on Glycolipid and Sphingolipid Biology. Ventura, CA. April 2006 (Poster Presentation).

Chiranthani Sumanasekera, Sabire Ozcan and Robert C. Dickson. Role of Sphingosine Kinase-2 in Pancreatic Beta-Cell Function. American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Experimental Biology Meeting. San Diego, CA. April 2005 (Poster Presentation).

EDUCATION:

August 2003 – 2007: Predoctoral student, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA.

August 1998 – December 2000: Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences University of Kentucky Department of Biological Sciences. Lexington, KY, USA.

September 1996 – May 1998: Biological Sciences curriculum for BS in Biology, Institute of Technological Studies, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

HONORS / AWARDS

2006: Research Challenge Trust Fellowship (training grant), University of Kentucky

2007: Research Challenge Trust Fellowship (training grant), University of Kentucky

2007: Graduate student Travel Award, University of Kentucky Graduate School.
2007: Max Steckler Fellowship

Mail Chiranthani Sumanasekera