Dr. Printha Wijesinghe

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Printha Wijesinghe received dual doctoral degrees from Maastricht University in the Netherlands and from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in Sri Lanka between 2009 and 2020. She has made significant contributions to the establishment of a 'human brain bank' in Sri Lanka and has investigated age-related cytoskeletal pathologies in elderly human brains to represent South Asian sample populations. Her academic career in Canada began in 2017 as a part-time research assistant at the University of British Columbia (UBC), where she worked with patients experiencing idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL). Her research focused on minimally invasive microRNA biomarkers and therapeutic efficiencies, utilizing in vivo cell models to investigate the underlying pathological mechanisms. In 2021, she transitioned to a postdoctoral trainee position at UBC relevant to her PhD work. As part of her ongoing research, she received a postdoctoral award from the Alzheimer Society Research Program (ASRP) in 2023 and is currently investigating postmortem human Alzheimer’s disease donor eyes to explore existing clearance mechanisms using translational mouse models aimed at identifying potential early tear-based microRNA biomarkers for diagnostic purposes.

Research Interests

Experience

Postdoctoral Fellow Trainee

2021-01-01 — Present

University of British Columbia • Vancouver, BC

Researching postmortem human Alzheimer's disease donor eyes and the underlying mechanisms of eye care.

Requirements for University of British Columbia

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.3
IELTS
Listening
Required:6.5
Reading
Required:6.5
Writing
Required:6.5
Speaking
Required:6.5
Overall
Required:7
TOEFL
Listening
Required:22
Reading
Required:22
Writing
Required:21
Speaking
Required:21
Total
Required:100
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Philosophy or related field 3 credits in formal logic 6 credits at the upper level in history of philosophy 3 credits at the upper level in ethics or value theory 6 credits at the upper level in metaphysics, epistemology, or philosophy of science
Application Checklist
  • Online application form
  • Application fee
  • Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Writing sample (15-20 pages)
  • Statement of intent
  • Evidence of English language proficiency
Specialization Notes

Offers course-only and thesis routes. Focus areas include philosophy of science, mind, ethics, and Asian philosophy.