Tharushi Wijesiriwardena
Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre Summer Research Student at Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre- Claim this Profile
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English Native or bilingual proficiency
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German Elementary proficiency
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Sinhalese Native or bilingual proficiency
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Python Limited working proficiency
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C++ Limited working proficiency
Topline Score
Bio
Credentials
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Getting Started in Cryo-EM
CaltechJul, 2023- Nov, 2024 -
Causes of Human Disease: Exploring Cancer and Genetic Disease
FutureLearnJul, 2022- Nov, 2024 -
Improving Healthcare Through Clinical Research
FutureLearnApr, 2022- Nov, 2024 -
NCRI Festival: Making Cancer Research Better Together
NCRI | National Cancer Research InstituteNov, 2021- Nov, 2024 -
Regulations and good practices affecting the ethics and conduct of trials in children
Brookwood GlobalSep, 2021- Nov, 2024 -
Biology Olympiad
Royal Society of BiologyAug, 2019- Nov, 2024 -
Extended Project Qualification
AQAAug, 2019- Nov, 2024 -
Public Speaking Bronze Award
LAMDA (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art)Aug, 2019- Nov, 2024 -
Spoken Language Endorsement
WJEC / CBACAug, 2019- Nov, 2024 -
National Citizen Service
NCS - National Citizen Service TrustAug, 2017- Nov, 2024
Experience
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Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre
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United Kingdom
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Research Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre Summer Research Student
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Jul 2023 - Present
An 8-week summer placement at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre. As part of the Pellegrini Lab I will investigate the mechanisms of human primosome inhibition as a new target for anti-cancer treatment. Specifically, using the cryo-EM SPA docking conformations of prospective cancer drugs, CD437 and ST1926, to generate mutated primase and DNA polymerase alpha produced in Sf9 insect cells. Through this we will determine binding specificity and inhibition effectiveness of the compounds, aiding further structure-based drug design. Show less
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Biochemical Society
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United Kingdom
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Research Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Biochemical Society Summer Studentship
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Jun 2023 - Present
A 6-week summer studentship in the Wu Lab at the University of Leeds exploring the human DNA damage response (DDR) network. Here, I was involved in ongoing research involving the characterisation of the BRCA1 complex involved in hereditary breast and ovarian cancers using high-affinity stabilising proteins called affimers. A 6-week summer studentship in the Wu Lab at the University of Leeds exploring the human DNA damage response (DDR) network. Here, I was involved in ongoing research involving the characterisation of the BRCA1 complex involved in hereditary breast and ovarian cancers using high-affinity stabilising proteins called affimers.
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University of Leeds
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United Kingdom
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Academic Writing Mentor
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Oct 2022 - Present
Working alongside other mentors and advisors in the University of Leeds Learning Development Team (LDT) to support undergraduates and taught postgraduates to improve their writing skills. The Writing Café drop-in sessions facilitate an active learning environment for students across the University. Key responsibilities include:- Undertaking initial and ongoing training on mentorship and academic writing- Completed training on supporting disabled students - Working in partnership with LDT - Maintaining Writing Café resources- Contribute to student engagement by writing/videoing blog posts, sharing tips and shadowing staff within the LDT Show less
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STEM Ambassador
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Nov 2022 - Jan 2023
Working alongside the University’s Educational Engagement team to motivate primary and secondary students aged 11-19 from a range of backgrounds that are currently under-represented in higher education. Key responsibilities:- Conducting interactive activities- Presenting to large audiences- Raising awareness of, and aspirations towards higher education
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Faculty of Biological Sciences Ambassador
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Sep 2020 - Oct 2022
FBS Ambassador: As a representative for Medical Sciences at the Faculty of Biological Sciences open days, I contributed towards the subject-specific talks and led small-group discussions to promote the course to prospective students.Student Ambassador: Acting as a COVID marshall and guide for visitors and new students, allowing them to experience the campus in a safe and monitored environment.
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The Gryphon
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United Kingdom
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Newspaper Publishing
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1 - 100 Employee
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Science Article Writer
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Sep 2020 - Feb 2023
Pitching, researching and writing articles for The Gryphon. Pitching, researching and writing articles for The Gryphon.
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Cancer Research UK (CRUK)
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United Kingdom
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Non-profit Organizations
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700 & Above Employee
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Student Medical Writing and Pharmacovigilance Assistant
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Jul 2021 - Jul 2022
This year long placement took place in CRUK's Centre for Drug Development, the world's only charity-funded drug development facility. Here, I explored several different aspects of early-phase oncology trials through my cross-functional role working between the Medical Writing and Pharmacovigilance departments. During this year I developed an understanding of CRUK's broad portfolio across all therapeutic modalities and worked predominantly on a First-in-Human monoclonal antibody trial. This year long placement took place in CRUK's Centre for Drug Development, the world's only charity-funded drug development facility. Here, I explored several different aspects of early-phase oncology trials through my cross-functional role working between the Medical Writing and Pharmacovigilance departments. During this year I developed an understanding of CRUK's broad portfolio across all therapeutic modalities and worked predominantly on a First-in-Human monoclonal antibody trial.
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The Tab
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United Kingdom
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Online Media
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100 - 200 Employee
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Contributing Writer
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Oct 2021 - Jun 2022
Informal journalism on lifestyle and University of Leeds culture. Informal journalism on lifestyle and University of Leeds culture.
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Pint of Science UK
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United Kingdom
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Events Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Our Society Team Member - Leeds
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Oct 2021 - May 2022
Pint of Science is a grass-roots non-profit organisation which hosts an annual science festival in pubs and cafés around the country. I was part of the Our Society theme team in Leeds and involved with marketing and communications for the event. Pint of Science is a grass-roots non-profit organisation which hosts an annual science festival in pubs and cafés around the country. I was part of the Our Society theme team in Leeds and involved with marketing and communications for the event.
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Experimental Cancer Medicine Centres Network ( ECMC )
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United Kingdom
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Research Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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AGILE Shadowee
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Mar 2022 - Apr 2022
A three-week shadowing opportunity within the Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC) Monitoring and Intelligence project team within Cancer Research UK. I experienced AGILE methodology as a project management approach in a non-technology project setting. Topics and activities covered: Agile methodology, Stand-up (good practices, common errors, how to run and participate), Retro, Sprint planning, Demo, Kanban, Sprint, Epic template, sprint goal template, Prioritisation A three-week shadowing opportunity within the Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC) Monitoring and Intelligence project team within Cancer Research UK. I experienced AGILE methodology as a project management approach in a non-technology project setting. Topics and activities covered: Agile methodology, Stand-up (good practices, common errors, how to run and participate), Retro, Sprint planning, Demo, Kanban, Sprint, Epic template, sprint goal template, Prioritisation
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Leeds University Union
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United Kingdom
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Higher Education
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200 - 300 Employee
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Art Soc Treasurer
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Mar 2021 - Mar 2022
As the treasurer and part of the core committee for one of the largest societies in Leeds, I handled all monetary transactions involved with Art Soc events, helping the society gain over £8k and recover from financial loss during the pandemic. I also created an annual report of Art Soc's expenses via Microsoft Excel and tabulated the results for public use. As the treasurer and part of the core committee for one of the largest societies in Leeds, I handled all monetary transactions involved with Art Soc events, helping the society gain over £8k and recover from financial loss during the pandemic. I also created an annual report of Art Soc's expenses via Microsoft Excel and tabulated the results for public use.
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Lippy Magazine
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United Kingdom
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Media Production
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1 - 100 Employee
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Affairs and Opinions Editor
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Oct 2020 - Oct 2021
Sub-Editor for the 'Affairs and Opinions' section of Lippy magazine. Sub-Editor for the 'Affairs and Opinions' section of Lippy magazine.
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KPMG
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Canada
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Accounting
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700 & Above Employee
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Data Analyst Internship
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Sep 2020 - Sep 2020
A virtual Data Analytics Consulting Internship where I researched and completed three tasks on the following topics: 1. Data Quality Assessment 2. Data Insights 3. Data Insights and Presentation A virtual Data Analytics Consulting Internship where I researched and completed three tasks on the following topics: 1. Data Quality Assessment 2. Data Insights 3. Data Insights and Presentation
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NHS England
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United Kingdom
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Hospitals and Health Care
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700 & Above Employee
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NHS work experience
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Dec 2017 - Dec 2017
Work experience in the Cardiology ward at Hillingdon Hospital during the weekend before Christmas, one of the busiest times of the year. Work experience in the Cardiology ward at Hillingdon Hospital during the weekend before Christmas, one of the busiest times of the year.
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Education
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2019 - 2024
University of Leeds
MBiol (Ind), Medical Sciences -
2012 - 2019
Langley Grammar School
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