Indrika Abeywickrema née Ratnayaka

I originally joined the St Mary’s Branch of the Ludwig Institute in the Lu lab in 2002 as a part time Histology technician, leaving behind my previous job as a clinical scientist, seeking a good work-life balance while raising a young family. Following this I set up the Histology lab for the Lu group. Since 2010, I have been part of the Ludwig support team in Oxford, dealing with the Histology needs of the Branch.

I have over 15 years of experience in Cryostat, Microtome and Vibrotome sectioning and performed most of this work at Ludwig Oxford, supporting the students and staff in addition to managing the Histology laboratory. This includes a Histology database and booking system, ordering core Histology consumables, training staff and students to use the histology equipment, support and advice. In addition, I run the monthly Mycoplasma assay for tissue culture users for the Branch and provide tissue culture support for the Lu lab.

Previously, I worked as a state-registered Clinical Scientist at the St Mary’s Medical School London, researching and developing routine techniques, for the Haematology department, which involved handling patient samples and data, performing diagnostic tests, establishing normal ranges, biochemical, cellular and molecular analysis. I also have experience in experimental models and bacterial research. I have completed courses in Human Histology & Pathology while gaining qualifications in MBBS part 1 & 2. Following a First Class honours in Microbiology from Imperial College London I was awarded the James Prize for Excellence in plant sciences. This was followed by an MSc in Molecular Biology.