Spotlight on Dhanushki Abeykoon, TL1 Trainee and PharmD student

By Kelly Hale, Marketing & Communications Coordinator

Mar 07, 2024

Project Title: Validation of a Novel CSF-Based Biomarker of Mitochondrial Function

Project Overview: Mitochondria, the power-houses of our body, play a critical role in brain health. Although mitochondrial dysfunction occurs in neurological ailments, an effective direct method to assess brain mitochondrial integrity is still lacking. In this project, we focus on developing a new cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) based biomarker, exosome-derived mitochondrial DNA, to assess brain mitochondrial health. The CSF samples are from patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. We anticipate that this biomarker will be associated with the clinical status of the patients. Also, other important indicators of brain health, such as beta-amyloid and tau protein levels, are measured to find a correlation with our new biomarker.

Mentors: Russell H. Swerdlow, MD (Primary Mentor); Susan M. Lunte, PhD (Secondary Mentor)

Dhanushki Abeykoon feels strongly that having both clinical and research knowledge is the best way to care for patients, and she will use the knowledge she gains from the TL1 program to help her research.

“For a pharmacist, it’s good for us to have both clinical knowledge and a research background to provide the best care for our patients,” she said. “With clinical knowledge, we can treat our patients, but if we have the research background and continue to do research, we can advance the field and find novel treatments for our patients. That is the best way we can help patients.”

When she heard about the TL1 program, she thought it would be a good opportunity for her to help develop her research background to go with her clinical background.

“For my research project, I’ve learned a lot of scientific techniques like how to run a digital drop PCR, how to isolate DNA from exosomes,” she said. “Everything was new to me because I didn’t have much background, so I’ve learned a lot of wet lab techniques.”

As part of the program, she is also working on a master’s in clinical research degree and learning how to do a systemic review, learning about different software that analyzes patient data and biostatistics.

In addition to the classes, networking has been an important part of the program for Abeykoon, a native of Sri Lanka.

“Having access to the Frontiers Scholars Club to meet other scholars and hear about different topics has been helpful. And going to other meetings, like Research Grand Rounds, and hearing from many experts in their field is helping me learn and network with a lot of great people,” she said. “Hearing from all these people has helped me think a little more creatively on how I could do my research to help patients.”

“And my mentors have been great, and I am succeeding because of them. One thing I really like is that they guided me in my research project but did not just give me the answer directly. They provide me with all the support to find the answer myself.”

After she completes the TL1 program, she will return for her final year of pharmacy school at the KU School of Pharmacy and then plans to do either a fellowship or residency program with a career goal of becoming an academic pharmacist so she can do patient care while continuing her research.