Dr. Dilantha Fernando

Education

  • PhD. Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA in Plant Pathology 
  • MSc. University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka in Microbiology 
  • BSc. (Hons) University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka in Botany

Teaching

  • PLNT 7480 - Epidemiology of Plant Disease (Graduate)
  • PLNT 4270 - Plant Disease Control (Undergraduate)
  • PLNT 3570 - Fundamentals of Plant Pathology (Undergraduate)
  • PLNT 0780 - Plant Disease Management (Diploma)

Research

Research interests

Dr. Dilantha Fernando's research focuses on science-based solutions to improve environmental sustainability and productivity Host-pathogen interactions:

  • Canola – Blackleg pathosystem in understanding the R-gene-Avr/avr gene interactions at the molecular level
  • Canola – Verticillium pathosystem in understanding resistance mechanisms at the molecular level
  • Canola – Sclerotinia pathosystem in understanding tri-partite interactions with biocontrol agents
  • Wheat – Fusarium pathosystem to understand the emergence of new chemotypes in Canada
  • Barley – Fusarium pathosystem in understanding how malting barley is affected by fusarium.
  • Barley – Fusarium pathosystem and barley seed microbiome to understand the interactions
  • Population Dynamics and Cropping Systems Pathology
  • Biological control, and Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacterial research
  • Breeding for disease resistance: Pre-breeding for novel R-genes and QTLs

Current research projects 

  • Developing a universal blackleg isolate set that has single avirulence alleles using CRISPR
  • Understanding canola’s mechanisms in resistance against blackleg pathogen – i.e. BON genes
  • Detecting novel R-genes in canola and relatives
  • Detecting QTLs for resistance against blackleg in canola
  • Understanding the infection stage in canola by Verticillium
  • Understanding the Verticillium lineages, their virulence and aggressiveness
  • Identifying resistance to Verticillium in Canadian canola genotypes
  • Investigating susceptibility genes against canola pathogens in canola
  • Understanding the distribution of the new chemotype NX2 in Canada (wheat and barley)
  • Studying the seed microbiome and malt quality due to hydrophobins produced by fusarium

Publications

ORCID

Other information

Professional Qualification and Affiliations

  • Dean of Studies, St. Paul’s College, University of Manitoba - 2017 to date
  • Adjunct Professor - University of Southern Queensland, QLD. Australia - Jan 2018 to date
  • Adjunct Professor - National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Kandy, Sri Lanka - Sept 2019 to date
  • Visiting Academic Professor, Federation University, Melbourne, Australia -  2022 to date

Awards

  • 2023 - Plant Pathology (BSPP flagship journal) Editor in Chief (Senior Editor)
  • 2020 - Fellow APGPR – Fellow of the Asian Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria, USA
  • 2020 - CPS Outstanding Research Award, Canadian Phytopathological Society, Canada
  • 2019 - Fellow of APS – American Phytopathological Society, USA 
  • 2019 - Highest Award for exemplary research in Biocontrol/PGPR – PGPR Asian Chapter
  • 2019 - Merit Award for Excellence in Teaching, Research, and Service, University of Manitoba
  • 2018 - President, Canadian Phytopathological Society – 89th President (National Organization)
  • 2017 - Excellence in Graduate Teaching and Mentoring Award - University of Manitoba
  • 2017 - Eminent Visiting Scientist Award (EViSS) –University of Southern Queensland, Australia
  • 2016 - Vice President - Canadian Phytopathological Society (President-Elect 2017, President, CPS 2018/19)
  • 2016 - Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Fellowship
  • 2011 - University of Manitoba Merit Award in the Combination Category for Excellence in Teaching, Research, and Service
  • 2011 - Editor in Chief of Plants of MDPI journals (was the founding Editor in Chief) and is EIC to date
  • 2010 - University of Manitoba Merit Award in the Combination Category
  • 2009 - University of Manitoba Merit Award for Excellence in Research
  • 2008 - Mentor Award from Sanofi-Aventis Canada for training junior-high, high school students
  • 2007 - UN Expert to Sri Lanka– invited by UNDProgram as an international consultant
  • 2007 - Excellence in Science and Innovation MindSet award Province of Manitoba Award
  • 2006 - University of Manitoba Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award
  • 2006 - USDA Spot Award of Excellence for Research on Sclerotinia
  • 2006 - Lifetime Achievement Award – Sri Lanka Foundation, Los Angeles, USA
  • 2006 - University of Manitoba Outreach Award for Service to the wider community
  • 2006 - University of Manitoba Merit Award for Excellence in Research
  • 2005 - Honorary Professorship from Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
  • 2004 - University of Manitoba Merit Award for Excellence in Research