Undergraduate Research Symposium of FMAS 2019 was held in the tutorial complex of FMAS, on 19th July 2019. Research work done by 32 research groups of the 10th batch of medical undergraduates, under the supervision of academic staff members of all departments of the FMAS, presented their research work during the session
Under the guidance of the head of the department, Dr.Nuwan Wickramasinghe, Dr. Sathya Udara, spearheaded the URFMAS 2019 organizing committee.
Message from the Vice Chancellor
“Universities play an important role in creating and spreading knowledge. To create knowledge research is a must. I believe that research and teaching are closely interconnected and reinforce each other. Therefore, the Rajarata University students should be educated in a research-informed environment.
I am glad to hear about the 2nd undergraduate Research Symposium of Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences. 32 research groups are planning to present their findings at this Symposium which is to be held on the 19th July. I congratulate the organizing committee of the symposium and convey my best wishes to all those junior researchers of Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences. “
Message from the dean, FMAS
“Research is an essential skill of a doctor in the 21st century. The clinician researchers are hard to find even in the developed world and they are highly valued for their contribution to improved patient care.
Despite being one of the youngest medical faculties in the country, we have already included research as an integral part of the undergraduate medical curriculum and have successfully conducted the First Undergraduate Research Symposium last year.
This year, the Faculty of Medicine and Allied Science, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka conducts the Second Undergraduate Research Symposium. I wish to thank students, supervisors, academic staff of the Community Medicine Department and all other non-academic staff members who strived to make this event a success. I wish all the students who genuinely carried out their research a successful future! “
Inauguration ceremony of FMAS 2019
inauguration ceremony of URSFMAS 2019 was held in the auditorium of the preclinical building, FMAS. Deans from other faculties, consultants from the teaching hospital Anuradhapura, external reviewers, administrative staff and academics from FMAS with all undergraduate researchers participated in this event.
The research work were on high quality and 16 out of 32 research were selected for the SLMA International Medical Congress, the premier medical congress in Sri Lanka. The dean FMAS, Prof. Sisira Siribaddana mentioned that he will be competing with students as equal researchers for SLMA awards this year and it will an honor.
In his opening remarks, head of the department Dr Nuwan Wickramasinghe mentioned that “the research process not only allows students to build up their scientific research knowledge, but also contributes to develop higher order research competencies such as critical-thinking, problem-solving and life-long learning.”
Conference chair, Prof. SB Agampodi emphasis that the “junior researchers” will no longer be undergraduates, but they will be considered as fellow researchers by the research community.
Research work was extensively evaluated by seven senior researchers from different disciplines. The reviewers include academic staff from FMAS, academic staff outside FMAS, and researchers from ministry of Health and representing leading research groups. All reviewers had PhD or MD with research work with extensive list publications.
“This is a PhD level work” was a remark given by a reviewer for the wining group of researchers. Another reviewer mentioned that the quality of research work presented here is better than most of the national level poster presentations.
We would like to thank our sponser and partner in health promotion Yeheli.lk
Award winners
Best research presentation: first place
Life Expectations, Reasons for School Dropouts and Health Related Problems among Adolescents and Youth Not on Education, Employment or Training (NEET) in Anuradhapura District by Dilhari G.I, Dilrukshi K.L.S, Dias W.P.N, De Silva W.M.K.P, Deerasuriya R.K, Dharmadsa K.K.U.C and Herath J.P, supervised by Agampodi T.C.
Best research presentation: second place
Evaluation of Bacterial Diversity Using Traditional Culture and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Based 16S/Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) Sequencing in Chronic Diabetic Foot Ulcers among Patients Admitted to Teaching Hospital, Anuradhapura by Weerasundara G.G.S.Y, Welgama H.S, Weerasingha W.I.H.S, Weerathunga W.W.A.I.E.K, Weerakkody W.A.K.D and Wageesha R.M.S.H supervised by Agampodi S.B
Best research presentation: third place
Large Intra-batch Variation of the Contentof Two Indian Polyvalent Antivenoms and Their Ability to Neutralize Russell’s Viper (Daboiarusselii) Venom Procoagulant Activity by Prabhathi I.M.N, Prabodani G.L.S, Premarathne G.H.P.D, Premarathna S.M.S.D, Premarathne R.I and Prasad A.G.N.T, supervised by Silva N.K.A
Best poster selected by all temporary and permanent academic staff
Effects of Home-made Hibiscus rosasinensistea on Post Prandial Blood Glucose Level Compared to that of Green Tea and Commercial Hibiscus tea; An Interventional Study by Solangaarachchi D.M.N, Subasinghe S.A.D, Suraweera D.M.M, Suraweera S.A.N.Y and Tharangika W.N.D supervised by Senadheera S.P.A.S2
List of research work presented
1 Isolation of Malassezia spp Causing Dandruff in Medical Students and In Vitro Anti-fungal Effect of ‘Antidandruff’ Shampoos and Crude Extracts of Herbs
2 Prevalence, Associated Factors and Medication for Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease Symptoms among Final Year, Advanced Level, Private-Tuition Attendees of Anuradhapura Municipal Council: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
3 Health Problems Experienced by Snakebite Victims Following Hospital Discharge and the Treatment Seeking Pattern: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study3
4 The Effect of Breakfast on Cognitive Functions of Medical Students, Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences (FMAS), Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
5 Microbial Contamination of Headphones at the Information Technology Laboratory of Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
6 Clinical Characteristics and Outcome of Patients with Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) Admitted to the Medical Wards in Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura (THA) Sri Lanka
7 Identification of Mirobes Present in Food Packaging Materials Collected from Anuradhapura Municipal Area7
8 Awareness and Attitude towards Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) among School Teachers of Anuradhapura District
9 Prevalence of Varicose Veins among the Nursing Staff of Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura; A Cross sectional Risk Group Analysis
10 Prevalence and Associated Factors of Facebook Addiction in Grade Thirteen Students in the Chilaw Educational Zone: A School-Based, Cross-Sectional Study
11 Prevalence of Anemia, Its Types and Factors Associated with it among Patients Admitted to Professorial Medical Unit, Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura
12 Dietary Factors Affecting the Formation of Urinary Crystals in the Medical Students of Rajarata University of Sri Lanka: A Pilot Project
13 A Cross Sectional Study of Preference Mode of Delivery and Influencing Factors for Their Decision among Pregnant Mothers Attending to Antenatal Clinic, Obstetric Unit, Teaching Hospital, Anuradhapura
14 Awareness of First Aid Techniques Used in Emergency Situations among First Year Students of Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH), Rajarata University of Sri Lanka (RUSL)
15 Effects of Heroin on Visual Reaction Time
16 Preferences on Breaking Bad News in Newly Diagnosed Cancer Patients in Anuradhapura16
17 The Level of Knowledge and Practice of Foot Care in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers in Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura
18 Economic Cost of Snakebite in Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura
19 Attitudes towards Euthanasia among Final Year Medical Students of Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences of Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
20 Large Intra-batch Variation of the Content of Two Indian Polyvalent Antivenoms and Their Ability to Neutralize Russell’s Viper (Daboiarusselii) Venom Procoagulant Activity
21 Life Expectations, Reasons for School Dropouts and Health Related Problems among Adolescents and Youth Not on Education, Employment or Training (NEET) in Anuradhapura District
22 Self-Medication Practices among Undergraduate University Students in Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
23 Prevalence of Fatty Liver (FL) among Medical Students of Faculty of Medicine, (FMAS), Rajarata University (RUSL); Are Obese Males at a High Risk of Getting the Disease; A Cross Sectional Study
24 Exploration of the Effect of Moon on the Frequency and Severity of Snake Bite
25 Evaluation of Bacterial Diversity Using Traditional Culture and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Based 16S/Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) Sequencing in Chronic Diabetic Foot Ulcers among Patients Admitted to Teaching Hospital, Anuradhapura
26 Health Status and Emotional Intelligence (EI) among Prisoners of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka; Does Lack of Emotional Intelligence Play a Role in Imprisonment; A Comparative Study
27 Preoperative Education about the Surgery and Anesthetic Methods of the Elective Surgical Patients in Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura, Has an Effect on the Level of Anxiety; Interventional Study
28 Effects of Home-made Hibiscus rosasinensistea on Post Prandial Blood Glucose Level Compared to that of Green Tea and Commercial Hibiscus tea; An Interventional Study
29 Behavioral and Emotional Symptoms among Institutionalized Adolescents in Institutions Registered at Child Protection Authority in Anuradhapura District: A Descriptive Study
30 Assessing the Knowledge of Pregnant Women in Urban and Rural Anuradhapura on Selected Antenatal Care that They Should Receive
31 Attitudes of Health Staff in Selected Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Care Centers, Medical and Nursing Students Towards Self-harm Patients in Anuradhapura District
32 Change in Body Mass Index in Medical Students of Rajarata University within Two Years and Association with the Diet and Physical Activity