Meet Dr Dulika Sumathipala

Dr Dulika Sumathipala is one of our distinguished McCusker Fellows and is making exciting progress in the field of immunology. Her medical and scientific journey began in Sri Lanka, and her passion for discovery has taken her across the globe in pursuit of research excellence. We sat down with Dulika to learn more about her journey to Canberra, and to share her story with others who may be chasing dreams of their own.

Dr Tom Lea-Henry and Dr Dulika Sumathipala, both McCusker Research Fellows

What inspired you to pursue a career in research, and how did your journey begin in Sri Lanka?

My interest in research began during my undergraduate studies, when a series of particularly engaging lectures on genetics in my first year sparked my curiosity. Toward the end of my degree, I was offered a place in a master’s program in clinical genetics at the University of Colombo, run in collaboration with the University of Oslo. I took it as an opportunity to “test the waters” in both research and genetics, and it turned out to be exactly the right fit. During the program, I was awarded a scholarship to complete my second year at the University of Oslo, which broadened my exposure to research and strengthened my passion for the field. By the time I completed the degree, I was fully committed to a research career, and I was invited to continue to a PhD in medical genetics. That experience marked the true beginning of my research journey, starting in Sri Lanka and ultimately shaping the path I’m on today

What drew you to the McCusker Fellowship and your current research area?

My background is in medicine and rare disease genetics, and I was eager to expand my expertise into an area with broad clinical impact. The McCusker Fellowship offered a unique opportunity to do this by supporting my role as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Jiang Lab, working within the personalised medicine platform for immune disease. Autoimmune disease is a major focus in human genetics, and although shifting from rare disease to immunology was a significant transition, it felt like a natural evolution. The core scientific skills I had developed; genomics, molecular biology, and foundational immunology provided a strong base to build upon. The fellowship allowed me to bring these strengths into a new field while deepening my interest in personalised medicine and its potential to transform how we diagnose and treat immune mediated conditions.

What surprised you most about Canberra as a place to live?

I was pleasantly surprised by how green and peaceful Canberra is. It aligned nicely with the Oslo and Cambridge, cities I lived in before. The city has a perfect balance of accessible nature, cultural events, and a strong community feel. I didn’t expect the cool climate, swooping magpies and kangaroos down the street, which has made settling in much more interesting than I anticipated.

One of the many walks around Lake Burley Griffin

What do you enjoy doing in Canberra outside of work?

I really enjoy exploring the outdoor spaces, like Lake Burley Griffin and the surrounding nature reserves. I also like attending local cultural events and trying out new cafes. I also find myself attending a lot of school sport events over the weekend’s courtesy of my daughter.

How does the research environment at ANU compare to other places you’ve worked?

ANU fosters an incredibly collaborative and supportive research environment. There’s a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary work and open communication, which allows ideas to flourish. I find that the culture here encourages not only high quality research but also professional development and mentoring, which is invaluable.

What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your international research journey?

One of the biggest challenges in my international research journey has actually been outside the laboratory. When I began my PhD, my daughter was just one year old, so balancing the demands of childcare with the intensity of research was both challenging and formative. In many ways, my daughter has grown up alongside my research career, and managing the progress of both has required resilience, adaptability, and a great deal of support. While it hasn’t always been easy, it has been incredibly rewarding and has shaped me both as a researcher and as a parent.

Dulika with her daughter Lihini living in Oslo, Norway while completing her PhD.

Can you share a little about your current research focus and why it matters?

My current research focuses on immunology and personalised medicine, with a particular interest in conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, which can profoundly affect a person’s quality of life. Some patients do not respond to standard treatments, and this unmet need drives my work. I study the molecular mechanisms that underlie disease, with the goal of identifying targets for more precise, tailored therapies, especially for individuals who are treatment resistant. By understanding the biology of disease at a deeper level, we can develop approaches that improve drug responsiveness while minimising side effects. Ultimately, I hope this work will contribute to more effective, personalised treatment strategies and a better quality of life for patients.

What advice would you give young scientists who want to pursue research?

Research is an exciting journey that offers the opportunity to be a lifelong learner. There’s a constant thrill in pushing the boundaries of knowledge and exploring the unknown. At the same time, every successful finding is built on countless failed experiments, unresolved problems, and moments of frustration. Pursuing a career in science requires resilience, curiosity, and a genuine thirst for knowledge. Stay persistent, because your next discovery could be just around the corner.