Suranji Wijekoon, PhD, DVM, MPhil
Instructor, UNMC College of Dentistry Department of Growth & Development
Suranji Wijekoon, PhD, is an instructor in the Nebraska Translational Research Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She specializes in regenerative therapies for bone, nerve and composite tissue repair. She is trained in safety and efficacy of new osteoarthritis drugs in animal models at Hokkaido University. She also brings clinical and academic experience as a former senior lecturer and veterinary surgeon. Advanced training at the University of Glasgow, UK, and Washington University in St. Louis further shaped her expertise in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis mechanisms and therapeutics.
Dr. Suranji's current projects focus on biomaterial-based strategies and drug delivery systems for the regeneration of bone, nerve and other composite tissues. This multidisciplinary work leverages tissue engineering and molecular therapeutics to meet clinical challenges in musculoskeletal and nerve repair. Her research supports the Nebraska Translational Research Center's mission to translate innovative regenerative technologies into clinically relevant treatments that improve patient outcomes.
- Postdoc: UConn Health
- PhD: Hokkaido University, Japan
- FSLCVS: Fellow of the College of Sri Lanka Veterinary Surgeons
- MPhil: University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- BVSc: University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Research focus: Biomaterials and tissue engineering; drug delivery; bone, nerve and composite tissue regeneration; pain management
Research aims to develop biomaterials and drug delivery systems that promote healing of bone, nerve and complex tissue injuries. Approaches combine small molecules to improve regeneration and manage pain in musculoskeletal disorders.
- 1. Suranji Wijekoon, Weiwei Wang, Sama Abdulmalik, Allen Zennifer, Sai SadhananthSrinivasan, Xiaojun Yu, Sangamesh Gurappa Kumbar. Growth Factor-Free Engineered Biphasic Scaffold for Enhanced Bone Regeneration. Ann Biomed Eng 2025.
- 2. Suranji Wijekoon, Allen Zennifer, Sai Sadhananth Srinivasan, Sama Abdulmalik, Bin Duan and Sangamesh G. Kumbar. Facial nerve pathology: emerging strategies for regeneration and functional restoration. 2025
- 3. Rosalie Bordett, Sama Abdulmalik, Allen Zennifer Maria Soosai Lasar, Suranji Wijekoon, Sai Sadhananth Srinivasan, Yeshavanth Kumar Banasavadi Siddegowda, Ergin Coskun, Sangamesh Kumbar. Synergistic Effects of Electrical and Chemical Cues with Biodegradable Scaffolds for Large Peripheral Nerve Defect Regeneration. Bioactive Materials, Volume 49, 2025, Pages 586-607, ISSN 2452-199X
- 4. Suranji Wijekoon, Sunaga T, Wang Y, Mwale C, Kim S, et al. Pentosan polysulfate regulates hepcidin 1-facilitated formation and function of osteoclast derived from canine bone marrow. PLOS ONE 17(3): e0265596. 2022
- 5. Suranji Wijekoon , Mijiddorj Tsogbadrakh , Takafumi Sunaga , Yanlin Wang , Carol Mwale , Sangho Kim , Damdinsuren Alimaa , Masahiro Okumura. Pentosan polysulfateregulates hepcidin expression in Mongolia horses. J. Vet. Med. Sci. 2022
- 6. Suranji Wijekoon, SanghoKim, Eugene C. Bwalya , Jing Fang, Keisuke Aoshima, Kenji Hosoya, Masahiro Okumura. Anti-arthritis effect of pentosan polysulfate in collagen-induced arthritis rats. Research in Veterinary Science 122: 179-185. 2019.
- Outstanding Researcher, University of Peradeniya, 2021, 2022
- Travel Grant Hokkaido University, 2015, 2016, 2017
- Best Presenter Award, Hokkaido University, 2016
- Japanese Government Scholarship, 2014
- Biomedical Engineering Society
- Society for Biomaterials
- Orthopedic Research Society