Sonali Gunasekara

I am a PhD candidate in Public Health at the Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences (FMAS), Rajarata University of Sri Lanka (RUSL). I am pursuing my PhD with a focus on healthcare-seeking behaviours, patient journeys, and the social and structural determinants of health, particularly in relation to neglected tropical diseases. Currently, I am employed in the Maternal and Child Health Research Unit of the Community Medicine Department of FMAS, RUSL as a Research Assistant. My work spans ethnography, qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research, and I have been involved in interdisciplinary global health projects with both local and international partners. Between 2020 and 2024, I have been part of the ECLIPSE programme (Empowering people with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: Intervention Programme to reduce Stigma and improve community Education), a NIHR UK-funded global health initiative that brings together partners from Brazil, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, and the UK to improve the lives of people affected by cutaneous leishmaniasis.

I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Promotion from Rajarata University of Sri Lanka and have a strong interest in experimenting with community empowerment, community engagement, and involvement in health research. I am passionate about ensuring that research is not only academically rigorous but also inclusive, action-oriented, and responsive to community priorities. I am eager to engage with CHaI as a space to learn from diverse perspectives, share experiences, and build collaborations that place communities at the heart of health research.

Email: sonal.ph@med.rjt.ac.lk

Affiliation: Rajarata University of Sri Lanka (RUSL), Sri Lanka