Profile
Professor Suneth Agampodi is the founding professor of the department of Community Medicine and the department chair. He joined the faculty in 2009 as a probationary lecturer and confirmed and became a senior lecturer in 2012. He was promoted as a merit professor in 2014 and to the position of Chair Professor in 2018. He obtained his MBBS from the University of Peradeniya in 2001 followed by MSc (PGIM, Colombo), MD (PGIM, Colombo) and MPH(Massey University, New Zealand).
His research interests are broad, including maternal and child health, infectious diseases, molecular epidemiology, health system research, population health and implementation research.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka 2001
Master of Science (Community Medicine) University of Colombo, Sri Lanka 2006
Doctor of Medicine (Community Medicine) University of Colombo, Sri Lanka 2011
Masters in Public Health (Epidemiology and Biosecurity) Messy University, New Zealand 2011
Board Certified Consultant in Community Medicine, 2012
Positions held
Current
Founding Professor and Department Chair (Community Medicine) (2018 June -to date), Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
Chairperson, Ethics Review Committee (2016 to date), Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
Lead Epidemiologist, Tropical Disease Research Unit (2012- to date), Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
Director, Maternal and Child Health Research Unit (2010- to date), Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
Consultant (2012 to date-), Community based Ayurvedic health promotion programme, Anuradhapura
Project Director (2015 to date), Estimating burden of Disease of Leptospirosis in Sri Lanka.
Executive Committee Member (2017 to date), International Leptospirosis Society.
Previous
Professor in Community Medicine (2014 -2018), Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
Head, Department of Community Medicine (2012- 2015), Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
Senior Lecturer in Community Medicine (2012- 14), Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
Visiting Assistant Professor (2011-12), Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego
Lecture in Community Medicine (2009-12), Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
Project Director (2017), WHO SEARO TDR Implementation Research Training Programme
Project Director (2015-16), Implementation Research Training for Control of Tropical Diseases in Sri Lanka
Short term Advisor to WHO (2015), for reviewing Guidance on reporting of Implementation / Operational Research
Deputy Proctor (2014 -2017), Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences
Short-term consultant to International Organization for Migration (2012, 2013, 2016)
Public Health Coordinator (2012- 2014), Sri Lankan One-health project on leptospirosis (regional collaborative investigation projects of South East Asia)
Project Coordinator and principal investigator (2010-2012), “Disease Burden and the Economic Impact of Maternal Morbidity in Sri Lanka”
Member
Executive Committee, International Leptospirosis Society (2017-)
Council of Sri Lanka Medical Association (2015)
National Health Research Council (2014- 2015)
Board of study in Community Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo (2015, 2018)
Council of Anuradhapura Clinical Society (2014- to date)
Board of study in Zoology, University of Peradeniya (2014-15)
Council of Sri Lanka Society of Microbiology (2013 to date)
Visiting lecturer,
Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
Open University of Sri Lanka
University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Post Graduate Institute of Medicine
Additional Medical Officer of Health (2006-7), National Institute of Health Science, Beruwala
Medical Officer in Charge (2003-5), Rural Hospital, Nelubawa, Anuradhapura
Awards and Honors
President’s Awards for Scientific Publications : 2012-2016
Young Physician Leader Award: Inter-Academy Medical Panel. Awarded as a satellite event of World Health Summit 2012. Berlin, Germany.
Best Paper EM Wijerama Award: Meteorological Associations of Leptospirosis in Different Climate Zones of Sri Lanka; a Time Series Analysis. 133rd Anniversary International Medical Congress of the Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2020, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Best Paper Sir. Nicolas Attygala Award: Prevalence of Cardiovascular Conditions among First Trimester Pregnant Females in Anuradhapura District. 133rd Anniversary International Medical Congress of the Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2020, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Best oral presentation: First place: Prevalence of vestibular disorders among patients presenting with vertigo or dizziness to Ear, Nose and Throat clinic at a tertiary care hospital in North Central province – Sri Lanka. Annual Scientific Sessions of Anuradhapura Clinical Society, 2017, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Best oral presentation-Third Place: Annual Scientific Sessions of Anuradhapura Clinical Society, 2017, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Best poster presentation- First prize: Can dermatoglyphics be useful in screening for hypertension: a systematic review. Annualacademic sessions of Sri Lanka Heart Association, 2015
Best research presentation- Second prize: Thalassaemia Trait; A Neglected Cause of Anemia During Pregnancy in Anuradhapura, 4rd Annual academic sessions of Anuradhapura clinical society, 2013
Best research presentation- First prize: Infant feeding behaviours in Nuwaragam-Palatha-Central (NPC) Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area; a qualitative study, 3rd Annual academic sessions of Anuradhapura clinical society, 2012
Best research presentation- Third prize: Awareness of well woman clinic services among attendees to Anuradhapura on Poson Poya day: are the socially deprived at a disadvantage?, 3rd Annual academic sessions of Anuradhapura clinical society, 2012
Best oral presentation- EM Wijerama Award: GDM Screening in Sri Lanka; Evidence to update strategies , 45thAnnual Academic Sessions of Ceylon College of Physicians , Colombo,2012
Best Paper-Henry Rajaratnum Prize: Missed Opportunities in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) Screening; Are We Detecting GDM? ‘ 43rdAnnual Academic Sessions of Ceylon College of Physicians , Colombo,2010
Best Paper : An evaluation of quality of air in orthopaedic theatres of the national hospital of Sri Lanka., Annual Scientific Sessions of Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists. 2010
Best Paper -Sir. Nicolas Attygala Prize, Comparison of definitions used for Exclusive Breast Feeding-The Labbock’s strict definition and the WHO definition as methods of estimating Exclusive Breastfeeding rates in Sri Lanka, 122nd Annual Scientific Session of Sri Lanka Medical Association. 2009
Best paper- SE Seneviratna prize, Effectiveness of low cost intervention to promote six months exclusive breast-feeding, 121st Annual Scientific Session of Sri Lanka Medical Association. 2008
Best paper : A Community based study on parental attitudes and satisfaction on private sector immunization services, 27th anniversary Academic Sessions of Post Graduate Institute of Medicine, Colombo. 2007
Forgoty International Fellowship and physician scientist training fellowship: University of California, San Diego 2010-2011
UNFPA Training fellowship: Management Development Course on Programming for HIV/AIDS & Reproductive Health of Young People in South Asia, IIHMR, Jaipur, India, 2006
Orations/Keynote Speeches
Orations and Keynote
Leptospirosis in the Tropics; The Diagnostic Challenge: Vincenzo Marcolongo Memorial Lecture, American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 65thAnnual Meeting 2016, Atlanta, USA
Predicting, Investigating and Ameliorating Global Epidemic Leptospirosis: Symposium Keynote, American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 65thAnnual Meeting 2018, New Orleans, USA
Leptospirosis, Leptospira and combining epidemiology, microbiology and molecular work in scientific investigation: KSM Health Research Price Oration, 2018, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Etiological agents causing human leptospirosis in Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka Medical Association Foundation Sessions, Sir.Marcus Fernando Oration, 2016, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Diagnostic Challenges of Leptospirosis in Sri Lanka: Anuradhapura Clinical Society Oration, 2015, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Leptospirosis in Sri Lanka 2003-2013: Ceylon College of Physicians: P.B.Fernando memorial Oration 2013, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Guest Lectures
Leptospirosis: an update: International Conference in Tropical Medicine, 2017, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Leptospirosis, leptospireamia and cytokine signature: Sri Lanka Society of Infectious Diseases. Sixth Annual Scientific Session 2017
CKD and Infectious Diseases: National Symposium on Chronic Kidney Disease 2017, Sri Lanka
Infectious origin of CINAC: First International Meeting on CINAC (Chronic interstitial nephritis among agricultural community), 2016, Sri Lanka
Overview of leptospirosis in Sri Lanka and future directions: International Conference in Tropical Medicine, 2015, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Overcoming challenges in CAM research and opportunities for generating evidence in the Sri Lankan context : 128th Anniversary International Medical Congress of Sri Lanka Medical Association, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Leptospirosis; Current Trends: Annual Academic Sessions, Kandy Society of Medicine, 2014, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Assessing risk factors for leptospirosis in Sri Lanka: Regional One Health Symposium on disease outbreak and response, Bhutan, 2013
Maternal Mental Health in Sri Lanka: Women Deliver Symposium, Malaysia, 2013
Maternal Mental Health: Lessons from Sri Lanka: Harvard School of Public Health, 2013
Leptospirosis: an unfinished research agenda: Sri Lanka Society of Infectious Diseases. First Annual Scientific Session 2013
Epidemiology of Leptospirosis in Sri Lanka: SAARC Seminar Series on “Zoonotic and Emerging Zoonotic Diseases and their Prevention in the SAARC Region”, 2008
Grants
Active
2019-22: National Institute for Health Research UK, Empowering people with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: Intervention Programme to improve patient journey and reduce Stigma via community Education. GBP 4.67 million. Role: Country lead
2019-21: University Grant Commission/ World Bank, Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development (AHEAD) Grant. Agampodi et al. Generating evidence for Ending Preventable Maternal Deaths. LKR 40,000,000. Role: Co-PI
2019-22: American Foundation of Suicide Prevention. RCT to determine whether pesticide vendor training reduces pesticide self-poisoning in rural Asia, $ 1.28 million. Role: Co-investigator.
2015-20:National Institute of Health. Vinetz et al. Assessing Global Burden of Leptospirosis in Two Endemic Countries. $$1.89 million. Role: Local PI
Completed
2017: Joint SEARO/TDR small Grants for implementation research in infectious disease of Poverty. Agampodi et al. Feasibility of adopting a protocol on Tuberculosis contact screening for Kurunegala district Tuberculosis control programme: An Implementation Research. Role: PI
2015: Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. Agampodi et al. Mindful Motherhood”: A program to promote maternal mental well-being. LKR 280,000. Role: Co-investigator
2015-16: WHO TDR. Agampodi. Implementation Research Training for control of Tropical Diseases in Sri Lanka. $ 49,995. Role: PI
2014-15: Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. Agampodi. Establishment of Molecular Diagnosis of Leptospirosis in Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences. LKR. 800,000. Role:PI
2014-15: American foundation of suicide prevention. Eddlston et al. Preventing Pesticide Suicides by Restricting Access through Vendors $99,775. Role: Co-investigator
2014: WHO Sri Lankan Country Office. Evaluation of the midday meal assessment programme in North Central Province, $21,396. Role: PI
2014: Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. Awareness on Breast Cancer among Females in Anuradhapura. LKR 250,000. Role: PI
2013-14: World Bank. Agampodi et al. One Health Approach in Leptospirosis Control in Sri Lanka. $70,000. Role: PI
2012: Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. Epidemiology of Leptospirosis in Sri Lanka. LKR 280,000. Role: PI
2010-12: Engender Health. Disease Burden and the Economic Impact of Maternal Morbidity in Sri Lanka. $90,750. Role: PI
2009-10: World Health Organization An Epidemiological study on leptospirosis among patients admitted to government hospitals in three leptospirosis endemic districts in Sri Lanka 2008. $ 4000 Role: PI
2009-10: Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, A prospective study of patients with suspected leptospirosis in Kandy, Sri Lanka. $3,000 Role: PI