Expert Details
Professor of Medicine, Clinical Endocrinologist, Nutritionist, and Senior Scientist
ID: 738870
New Jersey, USA
In 2000, he completed a diploma in medical administration at the Johns Hopkins University School of Business. In 2006, he earned an Executive Master of Business Administration degree from Rutgers University and a Lean Six-Sigma, Green Belt Executive.
He is a former university professor, professor of medicine and chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition, and the director of the regional osteoporosis center at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (now Rutgers University) Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He served as a professor of physiology and integrative biology, and pharmacology at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Medicine and Dentistry, New Jersey.
He has written several books on medicine, chronic kidney disease, nutrition, history, and eastern meditation practices. He has received multiple awards, including young investigator awards from several professional societies, The Dr. Boy Frame Award for Clinical Excellence in Metabolic Bone Diseases (199X), the American Endocrine Society Glen Foundation Awards, and an innovation award from the Asian Chamber of Commerce (200X).
He is a retired Air Force squadron leader, and the founding president of several nonprofit organizations. He is one of the three founders of a biotech company. He has been on the board of directors of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (National society and New Jersey state chapter), the International Society of Clinical Densitometry, Turner Foundation, and the Samadhi Foundation and a chair or member of several national and international scientific committees.
His laboratory and clinical research focused on pharmaceuticals, peptides, peptide receptors, and metabolic bone diseases were funded primarily by the NIH. He has made several seminal contributions to medicine, medical research, and pharmaceuticals. These include developing novel modes of treating osteoporosis, including nitroglycerine, once-a-week bisphosphonates therapy, combination therapies, a technique to enhance the efficacy of bisphosphonates, and cost-effective therapies, such as vitamin E and nitric oxide donor treatment regimens. In 1984, he was the first to develop and demonstrate the use of intra-operative hormone assays using measurements of calcitonin and parathyroid hormones as examples to assist endocrine surgical procedures. This procedure is now used worldwide as a standard of practice, helping thousands of endocrine surgeons and patients. He also developed a highly cost-effective water purification method, applicable worldwide, to provide clean potable water to needy populations.
He has served on several national and international scientific review committees, including the NIH, VA, DEA, and NASA. In addition to publishing over 200 peer-reviewed articles, ~50 reviews and proceedings, 15 book chapters, eight books, and five medical patents, he has delivered more than 300 national and international invited lectures, more than 330 scientific presentations worldwide, and numerous others nonmedical lectures. He is a regular reviewer for several national and international scientific journals and serves on several editorial boards.
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 1980 | Degree: MD | Subject: Medicine | Institution: University of Peradeniya |
| Year: 2005 | Degree: Executive MBA | Subject: Leadership and Macroeconomics | Institution: Rutgers School of Business, Newark, NJ |
| Year: 1987 | Degree: PhD | Subject: Endocrine Pathology | Institution: University of London |
| Year: 2001 | Degree: DSc (Doctor of Science) | Subject: Medical Research | Institution: University of Peradeniya |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2013 to 2020 | Employer: Director | Title: Cardiometabolic & Endocrine Institute | Department: |
Responsibilities:Published 44 peer-reviewed scientific papers (2013 to 2017) and 28 articles (2018 to 2020) |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2001 to 2013 | Employer: Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital | Title: Professor of Medicine–Endocrinology, Metabolism & Nutrition; Chief of Endocrinology, Director of Osteoporosis Center | Department: |
Responsibilities:• Delivered 300+ lectures and participated in training 2,000+ medical students and 60 graduate students.• Oversaw clinical and basic scientific research and led ~$4.5 million grant funding. • Oversaw and trained 16 endocrine fellows: trained 18 research personnel and 25+ students in research. • Developed dozens of effective collaborative research programs within and outside the university. • Service component: served a community of 1.5 million: the largest teaching hospital in the region. • Process consulting and supervision of trainees in the university’s basic science and clinical departments. • Professor, Physiology & Integrative Biology, UMDNJ, Graduate School of Bio-medical Studies • Executed research and teaching on a postgraduate level; courses conducted/taught annually, 2002–2013. • Director, Regional Osteoporosis CenterEstablished a center of excellence, partially funded by a $3.2 million grant from the federal government. Considered the best in NJ and attracted additional funding, researchers, and patients based on performance and reputation. • Created a “one-stop” shop, structured to take care of all endocrine disorders in one visit. The only centre in the region to provide such service. The center had 13 employees (FT/PT) and automated DXA machines. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2001 to 2008 | Employer: UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE & DENTISTRY of NJ - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School | Title: Chief of Endocrinology | Department: Metabolism and Nutrition |
Responsibilities:Despite a 40% cut in the department budget over five years, I improved the efficiency, balanced the budget, hired new faculty members, cut patient waiting time by 60%, and avoided staff layoffs.• Streamlined Clinics (over 25,000 visits/year) using a mathematical model to enhance patient mix and improve access; doubling revenue and encounters, tripling new patient visits; enhanced revenue. • Published 42 peer-reviewed scientific papers in high-impact journals between 2002 and 2012. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2001 to 2006 | Employer: VASOGENIX PHARMACEUTICALS | Title: Founding Director | Department: |
Responsibilities:• With two scientists, founded cardiovascular-focused biotech firm to develop novel products for ischemic heart disease and a product to alleviate sexual dysfunction based on one of my patents (US: 5,958,877).• New drug development (IND)-phase II and III clinical trials; estimated market size250 million |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1994 to 2001 | Employer: UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS | Title: Director, Biochemical Endocrinology, Director Osteoporosis Unit; Professor General Internal Medicine: | Department: Medical Branch |
Responsibilities:• Initiated 15 research programs in collaboration with other university departments (orthopedics, OB/GYN, pediatrics, family medicine, Shriners Burns Institute). These programs led to the funding of five NIH grants. Research funding generated from state and federal funding was approximately $6.8 million.• Built endocrinology research unit and an osteoporosis center from scratch, using external funds (using grants and philanthropic donations, approximately $1.0 million). • Published 46 peer-reviewed scientific papers in high-impact journals between 1994 and 2001. |
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Government Experience
| Years | Agency | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: to Present | Agency: NASA | Role: Consultant | Description: IAEA, Life-Sciences Review Committee External scientific reviewer for National Institutes of Health (NIH), NASA, and Veteran Affairs |
| Years: to Present | Agency: US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) | Role: Consultant | Description: |
| Years: 2005 to 2009 | Agency: New Jersey Interagency Council of Osteoporosis | Role: Chairman & VC | Description: Oversaw more than 250 volunteer annual programs in New Jersey, more than 15,000 volunteer community service hours annually. |
International Experience
| Years | Country / Region | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Years: to Present | Country / Region: UK, Sri Lanka, USA, and Middle East | Summary: Executive MBA: majored in Leadership & Marketing, Rutgers University Business School, NJ (2006) Doctor of Science (D.Sc.): University of Sri Lanka Graduate Certification: Diploma, Business of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, School of Business, Baltimore Doctorate (PhD), Endocrine Pathology: University of London, United Kingdom Fellowship, General Internal Medicine: Teaching Hospital, Kandy, Sri Lanka Fellowship, Geriatric Medicine & Rehabilitation: Hope Teaching Hospital, Manchester, UK. Fellowship, Endocrine & Chemical Path: Royal Postgrad Med Sch/Hammersmith Hos, London, UK Diploma course in Aviation Medicine: Royal Air Force, Farnborough, United Kingdom Master of Sociology (MA): Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (pending) Doctor of Medicine: University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka Lean Six Sigma Green Belt executive |
| Years: 1987 to 1994 | Country / Region: United Kingdom | Summary: Director, Regional Diabetes Center: Enfield Hospital, North London, United Kingdom. 1992–1994 • Managed diabetes and endocrine referral center (35,000 clinic visit a year). • Enhanced center efficiency by streamlining operation & cutting waitlist time from 2 months to 7 days. Acting Head, Department of Chemical Pathology 1990–1991 Royal Postgraduate Medical School and Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom • Successfully managed the department with approximately 70 employees and a budget of $17 M. Director, Biochemical Endocrinology Unit, London, United Kingdom 1987–1992 Chemical Pathology & Endocrinology, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London, U.K. • Initiated a research unit from scratch, funded by the British Heart Foundation ($390,000). • Laboratory published 47 peer-reviewed scientific papers in high-impact journals between 1992 and 2001. |
Career Accomplishments
| Associations / Societies |
|---|
| • American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) (former Board of Director) • International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) (former Board of Director) • American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR): • American College of Endocrinologists (ACE): • American College of Physicians (ACP): • American Society of Nutrition (ASN): • American Medical Association (AMA): • American Endocrine Society • American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry |
| Licenses / Certifications |
|---|
| United States of America, Medical License: New Jersey (active); Pennsylvania, Texas, and Tennessee (inactive) Full Registration–General Medical Council, United Kingdom Full Registration–Sri Lanka Medical Council Federal Licensing Examination (FLEX), United States of America Education Council for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) Permanent Certification, USA National Faculty Education Initiative, USA. Certification in customer-centric strategies |
| Professional Appointments |
|---|
| Fellow: American College of Endocrinology (FACE), American College of Physicians (FACP), Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath, UK), Royal College of Physicians (FRCP, UK), International Neuropeptide Society, Ceylon College of Physicians (FCCP) Master: American College of Diabetes Specialists (MACDS); Member, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research; Certified Research Contract Professional (CRCP); Member, Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS, UK). Board of Director: • Global Listening Center (2016–cont.); Xtext.com (2015–Cont.) • VasoGenix Biotech, Founding Director (1998–2004) • American Association for Clinical Endocrinology (national 2011–2015), AACE-N.J. chapter (2009–2014) • International Society Clinical Densitometry, Scientific Advisor; former Board of Directors (2007–2010) • Turner Syndrome Foundation (2010–Cont.) • Hela Bodhu Padanama, HBP-North America & International, Founder–President (2004–Cont.) • International Foundation for Chronic Disabilities (2008–Cont.) • Expert Foundation (1998–Cont.) • An education trust fund for deprived children (1995–Cont.) • Foundation for Preventive Health, Environmental Protection, & Research • International Foundation Revitalization, Education, Empowerment & Development (1998–2005) • Samadhi Buddhist Foundation (2009–2012) • Board member, NY & NJ Osteoporosis (2001–2005); Texas Osteoporosis Board (1998–2001) |
| Medical / Professional |
|---|
| Pharmaceutical Industry-related Experience, including Advisory Boards, Consultancy, and Lectureships: • Amgen Pharmaceuticals • Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals • Novartis Pharmaceuticals • Procter and Gamble (nonprofit foundation) • Aventis Pharmaceuticals (nonprofit foundation) • Wyeth-Ayerst Pharmaceuticals • AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals • Bayer Pharmaceuticals • Apotex, Inc. • Teva Pharmaceuticals |
| Publications and Patents Summary |
|---|
| • 200+ peer-reviewed articles • ~50 reviews and proceedings • 15 book chapters • 8 books • 5 medical patents • 300+ national & international invited lectures • 330+ scientific presentations worldwide |
Additional Experience
| Expert Witness Experience |
|---|
| A few Pharmaceutical Patent litigations, representing generic pharma. |
| Vendor Selection |
|---|
| NA |
Language Skills
| Language | Proficiency |
|---|---|
| English | |
| Sinhala |