Dr. Wasantha Parakrama Jayawardene

I am Wasantha Jayawardene, MD, MS, PhD, an Assistant Professor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and an Adjunct Professor at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, where I apply my medical and epidemiological background to public health research and education. I received my MD from People's Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, and master's and doctoral degrees from Indiana University School of Public Health Bloomington. With over 10 years of experience, I have developed and led several projects on obesity and substance use prevention, using various methods and data sources, such as behavioral interventions, clinical trials, and surveys. My mission is to improve health outcomes and quality of life for individuals and communities through evidence-based interventions and education. I have received funding from various sources, including the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Illinois Innovation Network, and State Health Departments, and published in many peer-reviewed journals and conferences. I also teach public health courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and mentor students and junior faculty in research and career development. In addition, I collaborate with local and national stakeholders, such as local health departments, schools, and nonprofits, to disseminate and implement my research findings and recommendations. I am passionate about advancing the field of public health and contributing to the generalizable knowledge.