Background

Dr. Mahesh Premarathna is a Research Fellow at the Microbial Biotechnology Research Program of the National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Sri Lanka. He obtained B.Sc. (Hons.) specializing in Biotechnology from Wayamba University of Sri Lanka in 2019, and Ph.D. in Microbial Biotechnology from the University of Peradeniya in 2023. He served as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, which was ranked 5th globally in Food Science according to the SCImago Institutions Rankings 2026. He currently holds appointments as Adjunct Associate Professor at the National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, and Adjunct Senior Researcher at the China-Singapore International Joint Research Institute, South China University of Technology, China. His research excellence has been recognized through awards such as the Best Scientist in the Country (in Philosophy) by the AD Scientific Index 2025, Research Excellence Awards NIFS 2024 and 2025, and his expertise has led to invitations to speak at high-profile international conferences, including Asia-Pacific Biofilms 2022, the International Academic Symposium on Microbial Stress Tolerance and Response 2023, and Asia-Pacific Biofilms 2024 held in Guangzhou, China. His prolific contributions include 150+ publications, 50+ undergraduate and postgraduate supervisions, reviewer for respected scientific journals, including Frontiers in Microbiology, Soil Biology and Biochemistry, etc., and Editorial roles in several reputed international journals and conferences. He is an active member of the Sri Lankan Society for Microbiology, and the Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka. 

Research Interests

Dr. Mahesh’s research interests focus on elucidating the fundamental principles governing biological and microbial systems, generating foundational knowledge, and initiating and facilitating the translation of scientific discoveries into innovative and sustainable technologies, mainly in food science, medicine, agriculture, environmental biotechnology, and space biology. His research encompasses microbial ecology and diversity, microbial biofilms, microbial physiology and communication, microbial networks and interspecies interactions, as well as plant–microbe and host–microbe interactions. His research in biomedical interests include biofilm-based medicines, nutraceuticals and functional foods, wound healing, persistent infections, and therapeutics for non-communicable diseases, while his research in agriculture includes biofilm-based biofertilizers, plant–microbe communication, soil health, and sustainable crop production. He also investigates microbial approaches for bioremediation and ecosystem restoration, including the mitigation of microplastics, heavy metals, e-waste, and toxic chemicals. In space biology, his interests extend to microbial systems for advanced life-support and bioregenerative applications. In addition, Dr. Mahesh explores the philosophical and theoretical dimensions of scientific research, including systems thinking, complexity, scientific epistemology, and the ethical implications of biotechnology. Overall, his multidisciplinary research aims to bridge fundamental microbiology with translational innovation to develop scientifically rigorous, environmentally sustainable, and socially impactful solutions.

ORCID

ResearchGate