Amali E. Samarasinghe

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RESEARCH INTEREST

CURRENT FUNDING

EDUCATION

CONTACT

INFORMATION

CURRENT POSITION

Department of Pediatrics Office: (901) 287-5318 Division of Infectious Diseases Fax: (901) 287-4478 Children’s Foundation Research Institute E-mail: asamaras@uthsc.edu 50 N. Dunlap Street Memphis, TN 38018 Assistant Professor (Tenure-Track), Department of Pediatrics 2016 - present University of Tennessee Health Science Center Assistant Professor, Dept. of Microbiology, Immunology, and BioChemistry 2017 - present University of Tennessee Health Science Center Delineating immune responses to pulmonary infection in allergic hosts. NIH, NIAID R01 High Priority Immunology Grant 2017 - 2022 Title: Eosinophils as Regulators of Host Immunity against Influenza Infections Role: Principal Investigator American Lung Association, Biomedical Research Grant 2015 - 2017 Title: Resistin-like Molecules Reduce Influenza A Virus-Induced Morbidity in Mice Role: Principal Investigator (Competitively renewed) NIH, NIAID R56 High Priority Project Award (Smith, A) 2016 - 2017 Title: Quantifying and Validating Immune Response Dynamics for Influenza and Viral-Bacterial Pneumonia Role: Co-Investigator Undergraduate:

Associate of Arts, 2000. Los Angeles Pierce College (Biology) Bachelor of Science, 2003. California State University, Northridge (Biology and

Chemistry) Graduate School:

Master of Science (Distinction), 2006. California State University, Northridge (NeuroImmunology)

Doctor of Philosophy (Honors), 2010. North Dakota State University (Molecular Pathogenesis-Immunology)

Postgraduate Training:

Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2010 - 2012. Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Amali E. Samarasinghe

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HONORS

AWARDS

PAST GRANTS

Outstanding Researcher Award, Department of Pediatrics, UTHSC 2017 Junior-Level Peer Recognition Award, MTPI Assembly, ATS 2017 Faculty Travel Award to the International Congress of Immunology meeting, AAI 2016 Rising Stars of Research Award, American Thoracic Society, MTPI Assembly 2016 Young Investigator Award, Le Bonheur Associate Board and Foundation 2015 Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Outstanding Poster Award at the Research Day 2014 Le Bonheur Club, Bea Gerber Award for best scored grant 2013 International Eosinophil Society, Travel Grant to 2013 conference 2013 American Association of Immunologists, Early Career Faculty Travel Award 2013 – 2017 6th Annual Orthomyxovirus Conference travel award 2012 Presidential Doctoral Fellowship, training and stipend, NDSU 2006 –2010 Frank Bain Scholarship for merit, College of Agriculture, NDSU 2008, 2009 North Dakota Academy of Sciences student oral presentations, second place 2009 Graduate student travel award, NDSU Sponsored Programs 2009 Graduate poster competition, second place, Microbiological Sciences, NDSU 2008 FASEB Summer Research Conference in Lung Biology, meritorious poster award 2008 North Dakota Academy of Sciences student oral presentations, second place 2008, 2009 Award for Oral Presentation, American Association of Immunologists 2008 Graduate Student Colloquium, first place, Microbiological Sciences, NDSU 2007 Student Oral Presentations, first place, American Society for Microbiology 2007 Campus Kudos Award, University Staff Senate, NDSU 2007 Outstanding Teaching Associate Award, Biology Department, CSUN 2006 Teaching Associate Tuition Award, CSUN 2006 Graduate Research Award, Office of the Associate Vice President, CSUN 2005 Outstanding International Student Award, Phi Beta Delta, CSUN 2002, 2004 Recognition Award for Scholarship, Honor Society of Alpha Gamma Sigma 2000 Appointed to the Research Advocacy Committee, American Thoracic Society 2017 MTPI Assembly Co-Representative, Science and Innovation Center, ATS 2017 MTPI Assembly Program Committee, ATS 2017 Mini-Symposium Moderator, American Thoracic Society 2017 Selected for Special Emphasis Panel, Center for Scientific Review 2017 Block Symposium Co-Chair, American Association of Immunologists 2017 Selected for the Early Career Review Program, Center for Scientific Review 2016 Invited Facilitator for Poster Session, American Thoracic Society 2012 Inducted into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi 2008 National Dean's List 2003 Inducted into the Honor Society of Phi Beta Delta 2002 Dean's List, Office of Academic Affairs, California State University, Northridge 2001 – 2003 Dean's List, Office of Academic Affairs, Los Angeles Pierce College 5/2000, 12/2000 1. Le Bonheur Associate Board, Young Investigator Award 2015 - 2016 Title: Eosinophils Promote Antiviral Defenses against Influenza A Virus Role: Principal Investigator 2. Le Bonheur Children’s Foundation, Junior Faculty Grant 2013 - 2015 Title: The Role of Resistin-like Molecules during Influenza

Amali E. Samarasinghe

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PEER-REVIEWED

PUBLICATIONS

SOCIETY

MEMBERSHIP

PAST POSITIONS

Role: Principal Investigator ~Competitive renewal~ 3. University of Tennessee, iRISE Pilot Project Grant 2015 Title: Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide as a Regulator of Eosinophil Degranulation in Eosinophilic Esophagitis Role: Principal Investigator Assistant Professor (Non-tenure track), Department of Pediatrics 2015 - 2016 University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN Instructor, Department of Pediatrics 2012 - 2015 University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Infectious Diseases 2010 - 2012 St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN Instructor, Department of Veterinary and Microbiological Sciences 8/2009 - 5/2010 North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND Teaching Associate, Department of Biology 9/2004 - 5/2006 California State University, Northridge, CA Adjunct Faculty Member, Department of Biological Sciences 1/2005 - 5/2006 Moorpark College, Moorpark, CA American Association of Immunologists, 2007- American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2007-2010 North Dakota Academy of Sciences, 2008-2010 American Thoracic Society, 2012- International Eosinophil Society, 2013-

1. Michael CF, Waters CM, LeMessurier KS, Samarasinghe AE, Song C, Malin K, and Lew DB. Airway epithelial repair by a prebiotic mannan derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Journal of Immunology Research, 2017; 8903982, 7 pages.

2. Lew DB, Michael CF, Overbeck T, Robinson WS, Rohman EL, Lehman JM, Patel JK, Eiseman B, LeMessurier KS, Samarasinghe AE, and Gaber MW. Beneficial effects of a prebiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae mannan in allergic asthma mouse models. Journal of Immunology Research, 2017; 3432701, 10 pages

3. Apiwattanakul N, Palipane M, and Samarasinghe AE. Immune responses to fungal aeroallergen in Heligmosomoides polygyrus-infected mice vary by age. Cellular Immunology, 2017; 317: 26-36. PMID: 28476343

4. Samarasinghe AE, Melo RCN, Duan S, LeMessurier KS, Liedmann S, Surman S, Lee JJ, Hurwitz J, Thomas PG, and McCullers JA. Eosinophils enhance antiviral immunity against influenza A virus infection. Journal of Immunology, 2017; 198(8), 3214-3226. PMID: 28283567

Amali E. Samarasinghe

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PEER-REVIEWED

PUBLICATIONS

(Contd.)

5. LeMessurier KS, Lin Y, McCullers JA, and Samarasinghe AE. Antimicrobial peptides alter early immune response to influenza A virus infection in C57BL/6 mice. Antiviral Research, 2016; 133: 208-217. PMID: 27531368

6. Samarasinghe AE, Hoselton SA, Schuh JM, McCullers JA. Modeling Asthma and Influenza Co-morbidity in C57BL/6 Mice. JoVE, 2015 [In Press].

7. Hrincius ER, Liedmann S, Finkelstein D, Vogel P, Gansebom S, Samarasinghe AE, You D,

Cormier SA, McCullers JA. Acute lung injury results from innate sensing of viruses by an

ER stress pathway. Cell Reports, 2015; 11(10): 1591-1603. PMID: 26051937

8. Ghosh S, Samarasinghe AE, Hoselton SA, Dorsam GP, and Schuh JM. Hyaluronan deposition and co-localization with inflammatory cells and collagen in a murine model of fungal allergic asthma. Inflammation Research, 2014; 63(6):475-84. PMID: 24519432

9. Samarasinghe AE, Woolard SN, Boyd KL, Hoselton SA, Schuh JM, and McCullers JA. The immune profile associated with acute allergic asthma accelerates clearance of influenza virus. Immunology and Cell Biology, 2014; 92: 449-459. PMID: 24469764

News and Commentary Featured Article Asthma and the Flu: a tricky two-step. Richard M Locksley and

John V Fahy. ICB, 2014; 92: 381-391

10. Alymova IV, Samarasinghe A, Vogel P, Green AM, Weinlich R, and McCullers JA. A novel cytotoxic sequence contributes to influenza A viral protein PB1-F2 pathogenicity and predisposition to secondary bacterial infection. Journal of Virology, 2014; 88(1): 503-15. PMID: 24173220

11. Samarasinghe AE, Hoselton SA, and Schuh JM. A comparison between intratracheal and inhalation delivery of Aspergillus fumigatus conidia in the development of fungal allergic airways disease in C57BL/6 mice. Fungal Biology, 2011; 115(1) 21-29. PMID: 21215951

12. Samarasinghe AE, Hoselton SA, and Schuh JM. The absence of VPAC2 receptor deficiency leads to aberrant antibody production in a murine model of fungal allergic asthma. Peptides, 2011; 32(1): 131-137. PMID: 20923692

13. Samarasinghe AE, Hoselton SA, and Schuh JM. Spatio-temporal localization of vasoactive intestinal peptide and neutral endopeptidase in allergic murine lungs. Regulatory Peptides, 2010; 164: 151-157. PMID: 20566347

14. Hoselton SA, Samarasinghe AE, Seydel JM, and Schuh JM. An inhalation model of airway allergic response to inhalation of environmental Aspergillus fumigatus conidia in sensitized BALB/c mice. Medical Mycology, 2010; 48(8): 1056-65. PMID: 20482452

15. Samarasinghe AE, Hoselton SA, and Schuh JM. The absence of the VPAC2 receptor does not protect mice from Aspergillus induced allergic asthma. Peptides, 2010; 31(6): 1068-1075. PMID: 20226823

16. Dorsam GP, Hoselton SA, Sandy AR, Samarasinghe AE, Dorsam ST, Vomhof-Dekrey EE, Schuh JM. Gene expression profiling and network analysis of peripheral blood monocytes in a chronic model of allergic asthma. Microbiology and Immunology, 2010; 54: 558-563. PMID: 20840155

Amali E. Samarasinghe

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PEER-REVIEWED

PUBLICATIONS

(Contd.)

TEACHING

EXPERIENCE

17. Hoselton SA, Samarasinghe AE, Seydel JL, Serie KM, Schuh JM. Creation and

characterization of an IgG1-type monoclonal antibody against intact Aspergillus fumigatus conidia. Hybridoma, 2007; 26(4): 251-254. PMID: 17725387

Manuscripts Submitted: 1. Doorley LA, LeMessurier KS, Iverson AR, Palipane M, and Samarasinghe AE. Regulation of B cells during asthma and influenza comorbidity in mice. Immunobiology – Revision under review 2. Lew BL, LeMessurier KS, Palipane M, and Samarasinghe AE. Saccharomyces cerevisiae-derived mannan alters immune responses to fungal allergens. Microbes and Infection – Under Review Instructor, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry 01/2015 - present University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN

Course: Microbial Pathogenesis, MSCI 932 Number of Students: 3-6 Lecture Topics: Methods of isolation and identification of emerging viral pathogens

The Innate Immune System: always on guard Vaccination-Part of the medical armamentarium

Responsibilities: Design and lecture on the given topic, assign journal articles for in class discussion, derive questions based on discussed information and grade the written assignments.

Course: Immunity and Inflammation, MSCI 931 Number of Students: 4-6 Lecture Topics: Complement Proteins

Hypersensitivity and Allergy Responsibilities: Design and lecture on the given topic, derive questions based on discussed information and grade the written assignments.

Instructor, Veterinary and Microbiological Sciences 08/2009 - 05/2010 North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND

Course: Basic Immunology, 481 (First and second year Pharmacy Students) Credit hours: 3/semester Student contact hours: 5/week Number of students: 140 in Fall, 30 in Spring Responsibilities: Fulfilled all aspects of an independent teaching faculty member; wrote lectures, exams, organized class activities, and held office hours. Graded all quizzes, exams, written and oral reports, assigned and reported final grades.

Amali E. Samarasinghe

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TEACHING

EXPERIENCE (Contd.)

VISITING

PROFESSORSHIPS &

INVITED LECTURES

Teaching Assistant, Veterinary and Microbiological Sciences 09/2007 - 12/2008 North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND

Course: Basic Immunology, 481 (First and second year Pharmacy Students) Credit hours: 3/semester Student contact hours: 2/week Number of students: 160 Responsibilities: Assisted Dr. Jane Schuh with class activities, group projects, and grading exams

Adjunct faculty member, Department of Biological Sciences 01/2005 - 05/2006 Moorpark College, CA

Courses: Human Biology M16, General Biology M1, General Biology Laboratory Credit hours: 3-4/semester Student contact hours: 3-6/week Number of students: Between 40-60 Responsibilities: Fulfilled all aspects of an independent teaching faculty member; wrote lectures, exams, organized class activities, as well as design experiments for the laboratory sections.

Teaching Associate, Department of Biology 09/2004 - 05/2006 California State University, Northridge, CA

Courses: Cell Biology Laboratory, BIOL 381; General Biology Laboratory for non-majors, BIOL101 L; General Biology Laboratory for majors, BIOL 106L; General Laboratory, BIOL 107L. Credit hours: 1/semester Student contact hours: 3/week Number of students: Between 15-20 students in each class each semester Responsibilities: Independently taught the course which included setting-up for each lab period, delivering the pre-lab lectures, helping students conduct experiments and maintain lab notebooks, grading post-lab questionnaire designing the grading scheme, conducting quizzes and exams, and disseminating grades at the end of the semester.

1. Rising Stars of Research, San Francisco 05/2016 Topic: Eosinophils battle against influenza A virus Organizer: Science and Innovation Center, American Thoracic Society

2. Gordon Research Seminars, Galveston, TX 02/2016 Topic: Eosinophils alleviate influenza in mice Organizers: Taylor Eddens and James Harker

3. Memphis Virology Workshop, Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 2014 - 2017 Topics: Eosinophils as Mediators of Cellular Immunity Novel mechanism involved in decreasing influenza morbidity in allergic asthma Host: Dr. Charles Russell

4. American Thoracic Society, 2015 Conference, Denver, CO 05/2015

Amali E. Samarasinghe

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COMMITTEES &

OFFICES HELD

Postgraduate Course on ‘Lung Innate Immunity: at the frontlines of host defense’ Topic: Viral subversion of antimicrobial innate immunity

5. Second International Conference on Endocrinology, Chicago, IL 10/2014 OMICS Publishing Group Topic: VIP/VPAC axis plays an immunomodulatory role in a murine model of fungal-induced allergic asthma

6. Department of Chemistry, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 07/2014 Topic: Mouse models and beyond Host: Dr. Randal Buddington

7. Seminar series in Physiology 06/2014 Department of Physiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center Topic: Influenza virus infection in allergic asthma Host: Dr. Christopher Waters

8. Seminar series in Microbiology 04/2014 Department of Veterinary and Microbiological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND Topic: Influenza virus against allergic asthma: a battle worth studying

9. Viral Pathogenesis, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Biochemistry 02/2014

University of Tennessee Health Science Center, TN Topic: Methods for isolation and identification of emerging viral pathogens

10. General Microbiology, Department of Veterinary and Microbiological Sciences 11/2009

North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND Topic: Overview of the immune system

Editorial Board Member: Journal of Asthma and Bronchitis Reviewer:

Peptides PLOS | one PLOS | pathogens BMC Microbiology BMC Pulmonary Medicine Scientific Reports Frontiers Pediatrics Clinical and Experimental Allergy International Archives of Allergy and Immunology Fundamental and Clinical Pharmacology American Journal of Physiology, Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology

Professional Organizations:

American Thoracic Society: Research Advocacy Committee 2017 - 2018 MTPI Program Committee 2017 - 2018 MTPI Journal Club Director 2014 - present

MTPI Early Career Working Group 2014 - present

International Eosinophil Society: Web design committee 2013 - present

Amali E. Samarasinghe

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PODIUM

PRESENTATION

ABSTRACTS

* Presenter

COMMITTEES &

OFFICES HELD

(contd.)

Departmental:

Education Committee, UTHSC Pediatrics 2014 - present Space Allocation Committee, UTHSC Pediatrics 2013 - 2016 Infectious Diseases Journal Club - Founder and Chair, SJCRH 2011 - 2013 Postdoctoral Development Association Council, SJCRH 2011 - 2012

Institutional:

Laboratory Animal Care Advisory Board 2016 - present Institutional Core Implementation Committee 2016 - present Pediatric Research Day, Chair and Organizer, Le Bonheur 2015 - present Children’s Foundation Res. Institute, Seminar & Journal Club Director 2015 - present Pediatric Research Day Poster Competition Judge 2014, 2017 Medical Student Mentor, UTHSC 2013 - present Selection committee for the Rhodes Teaching Fellowship, SJCRH 2012 Tennessee Academy of Sciences meeting, Judge 2012 Postdoctoral Professional Development Planning Committee, SJCRH 2012 Postdoctoral volunteer for food services, SJCRH 2010 - 2012 Science and Engineering Fair Judge, NDSU 2008, 2010 International Student Mentor, CSUN 2001 - 2006 Student Panels for an International Curriculum and Education, CSUN 2001- 2003 Tour guide for Outreach and Recruitment Service, CSUN 2001 - 2003

Student member for the International Education Council, CSUN 2001 - 2002

1. LeMessurier KS, Melo RCN, Duan S, Liedmann S, Surman S, Bezavada L, Smallwood H,

Lee JJ, Hurwitz PG, McCullers JA, and Samarasinghe A*. Phenotypic and functional

changes in eosinophilsmay promote antiviral responses in hosts with allergic asthma.

Symposium paper to be presented at the Biennial Conference of the International

Eosinophil Society, 2017, Gothenburg, Sweden.

2. LeMessurier K, Doorley L, Palipane M, Samarasinghe A*. Innate Immune Responses in

Fungal Asthma Enhance Antiviral Immunity During Influenza Virus Infections.

Symposium paper presented at the AAI conference, 2017, Washington, DC.

3. Doorley L*, LeMessurier K, Palipane M, Samarasinghe A. Fungal Asthma Alters B cell

Kinetics During Influenza. Symposium paper presented at the 9th Annual Pediatric

Research Day, 2017, Memphis, TN (Graduate Student Category Award Winner)

4. LeMessurier K*, Iverson AR, Palipane M, Chang T-C, Rosch J, Samarasinghe A. Allergic

Mice are Protected from Influenza A Virus and Streptococcus pneumoniae co-infection.

Symposium paper presented at the 9th Annual Pediatric Research Day, 2017, Memphis,

TN (Research Staff Category Award Winner)

5. Samarasinghe A*, Melo RCN, Duan S, LeMessurier KS, Liedmann S, Lee JJ, Thomas PG,

and McCullers JA. Immune Responses during Acute Allergic Asthma Promotes Host

Amali E. Samarasinghe

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PODIUM

PRESENTATION

ABSTRACTS (Contd.)

* Presenter

Protection against Influenza A Virus. Symposium paper presented at the ICI

conference, 2016, Melbourne, Australia.

6. Samarasinghe A*, LeMessurier K, Iverson A, McCullers J. The impact of bacterial

superinfection during influenza infection of allergic hosts. Symposium paper presented

at the AAI conference, 2016, Seattle, WA.

7. Samarasinghe A*, LeMessurer K, Lin Y, McCullers J. Resistin-Like Molecules as Antiviral

Mediators Against Influenza A Virus Infection. Symposium paper to be presented at the

ATS conference, 2016, San Francisco, CA.

8. Samarasinghe A*, McCullers J. Resistin-like molecules reduce influenza A morbidity in

mice. Symposium paper presented at the AAI conference, 2015, New Orleans, LA.

9. Samarasinghe A*, Woolard S, Melo R, LeMessurier K, McCullers J. Intratracheal transfer

of lung eosinophils reduces influenza virus burden in mice. Symposium paper

presented at the AAI conference, 2014, Pittsburgh, PA.

10. Samarasinghe A*, Woolard S, McCullers J. Allergic eosinophils enhance anti-viral

immunity in a co-morbidity model of asthma and influenza. Symposium paper

presented at the Keystone meeting on the Pathogenic Processes of Asthma and COPD,

2013, Santa Fe, NM.

11. Samarasinghe A*, Woolard S, McCullers J. Resistin-like molecules alter the immune

response against influenza A infection. Symposium paper presented at the 6th Annual

Orthomyxoviridae conference, 2012, Quebec, Canada.

12. Samarasinghe A*, Woolard S, McCullers J. Pathogenesis of influenza virus infection is

regulated by the disease progression stage of allergic asthma. Symposium paper presented at the Centers of Excellence in Influenza Research and Surveillance (CEIRS) meeting 2012, New York, NY

13. Samarasinghe A, Woolard S, McCullers J. Timing of influenza virus infection affects

disease outcome of allergic asthma. Symposium paper presented at the Postdoctoral Professional Development Event 2012, S1, Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN

14. Samarasinghe A, Woolard S, McCullers J. Influenza virus infection during acute or

chronic allergic asthma alters immune phenotypes and disease outcome. Symposium paper presented at the 2012, PIDS Pediatric Infectious Diseases Research Conference, Memphis, TN.

15. Samarasinghe A, Hoselton S, Schuh J. Antibody secretion is enhanced in the absence of

VPAC-2 receptor. Symposium paper presented at the 2009 North Dakota Academy of Sciences meeting, Fargo, ND.

Amali E. Samarasinghe

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POSTER

PRESENTATION

ABSTRACTS (Contd.)

* Presenter

PODIUM

PRESENTATION

ABSTRACTS (Contd.)

* Presenter

16. Samarasinghe A, Hoselton S, Schuh J. Vasoactive intestinal peptide is spatially and temporally modulated in a murine model of allergic asthma. Symposium paper presented at the 2008 Autumn Immunology Conference, Chicago, IL.

17. Samarasinghe A, Hoselton S, Schuh J. Eosinophilia and Immunoglobulin A in

Experimental Allergic Asthma. Symposium paper presented at the 2008 meeting of the North Dakota Academy of Sciences, Grand Forks, ND.

18. Samarasinghe A, Hoselton S, Schuh J. Vasoactive intestinal peptide and matrix

metalloproteinase-2 are altered in a murine model of allergic asthma. Symposium paper presented at the 2008 meeting of the American Association of Immunologists, San Diego, CA.

19. Samarasinghe A, Hoselton S, Schuh J. Expression and regulation of vasoactive intestinal peptide in a murine model of allergic asthma. Symposium paper presented at the 2007 meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, Marshfield, WI.

20. Samarasinghe A, Cohen R, Banner L. Expression of neurotropic cytokines in the brain of sHW rat. Symposium paper presented at the 2005 Sigma Xi meeting, Northridge, CA.

1. Samarasinghe A*, Melo R, Duan S, LeMessurier K, Liedmann S, Lee J, Thomas P, and McCullers J. Anti-Influenza Immunity in Allergic Asthma May Be Regulated by Eosinophils. Poster presented presented at the 2017 American Thoracic Society meeting, Washington, DC.

2. Doorley L*, LeMessurier K, Iverson A, and Samarasinghe A. B cells are regulated during asthma and influenza co-morbidity. Poster presented at the Graduate Research Day, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis ,TN.

3. Palipane M*, LeMessurier K, Lin Y, and Samarasinghe A. Absence of RELM-α Augments Morbidity during Asthma and Influenza. Poster presented at the 9th Annual Pediatric Research Day, 2017, Memphis, TN

4. Armbruster J*, Cavender C, Lieberman J, and Samarasinghe A. Evaluating the Expression of Vitamin D Receptor in Human Peripheral Blood Eosinophils. Poster presented at the 9th Annual Pediatric Research Day, 2017, Memphis, TN

5. Samarasinghe A*, Melo R, Duan S, LeMessurier K, Liedmann S, Lee J, Thomas P, and McCullers J. Immune responses during allergic asthma promote host protection against influenza A virus. Poster presented at the 2016 Gordon Research Conference on the Biology of Acute Respiratory Infection, Galveston, TX.

6. Buser H*, Palipane M, Banner L, Cohen R, and Samarasinghe A. Neural Degeneration in Glutamate Excitatoxicity is Linked to Altered Immune Signaling in the Hippocampus and Cerebellum. Poster presented at the 8th Annual Pediatric Research Day, 2016, Memphis, TN

Amali E. Samarasinghe

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POSTER

PRESENTATION

ABSTRACTS (Contd.)

* Presenter

7. Cavendar K, Walton A, Palipane M*, LeMessurier K, and Samarasinghe A. Investigation into the protection of allergic mice against common respiratory pathogens. Poster presented at the 8th Annual Pediatric Research Day, 2016, Memphis, TN

8. Lin Y*, LeMessurier K, and Samarasinghe A. Gene expression profile of early markers of inflammation during influenza A infections. Poster presented at the 8th Annual Pediatric Research Day, 2016, Memphis, TN (Research Staff Category Award Winner)

9. LeMessurier K*, Duan S, Thomas P, and Samarasinghe A. Eosinophils are activated by influenza A virus. Poster presented at the 8th Annual Pediatric Research Day, 2016, Memphis, TN

10. Samarasinghe A*, Melo RCN, Duan S, LeMessurier K, Lee J, Thomas P, and McCullers J. Eosinophils promote antiviral host defenses against influenza A virus infection. Poster presented at the 2015 International Eosinophil Society Meeting, Chicago, IL.

11. Samarasinghe A*, Woolard S, and McCullers J. Resistin-like molecules reduce influenza morbidity in mice. Poster presented at the 7th Annual Pediatric Research Day, 2014, Memphis, TN

12. Samarasinghe A*, Woolard S, Melo R, LeMessurier K, and McCullers J. Adoptive transfer of eosinophils protects lungs from influenza A virus-mediated morbidity. Poster presented at the 2014 American Thoracic Society meeting, San Diego, CA

13. Samarasinghe A*, Woolard S, LeMessurier K, McCullers J. Resistin-like molecules reduce influenza morbidity in mice. Poster presented at the 2014 Viral Pathogenesis meeting, Keystone, CO.

14. Samarasinghe A*, Woolard S, and McCullers J. Timing of influenza virus infection during allergic airway disease progression alters the immune phenotype and disease outcome. Poster presented at the 2013 Le Bonheur Research Day, Memphis, TN

15. Samarasinghe A*, Woolard S, McCullers J. Eosinophils: An unforeseen protagonist in influenza infection. Poster presented at the 2013 International Eosinophil Society meeting, Oxford, UK.

16. Samarasinghe A*, LeMessurier K, Iverson A, Woolard K, McCullers J. Acute inflammatory asthma protects influenza infected mice from bacterial super-infection. Poster presented at the 2013 American Association of Immunologists conference, Honolulu, HI

17. Samarasinghe A*, Woolard S, McCullers J. Timing of influenza virus infection during allergic airway disease progression alters the immune phenotype and disease outcome. Thematic poster discussion at the 2012 American Thoracic Society meeting, San Francisco, CA

18. Samarasinghe A*, Woolard S, McCullers J. Eosinophils from Acute Allergic Inflammation Alters the Immune Response to Influenza A Virus. Poster presents at the 2012 American Association of Immunologists conference, Boston, MA

Amali E. Samarasinghe

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MENTORSHIP

POSTER

PRESENTATION

ABSTRACTS (Contd.)

* Presenter

19. Samarasinghe A*, Hoselton S, Schuh J. Repeated Fungal Exposure Leads to Eosinophilia and Airway remodeling in a Murine Model of Allergic Asthma. Poster presented at the 2009 American Association of Immunologists Conference, Seattle, WA.

20. Samarasinghe A, Hoselton S, Schuh J. Immunoglobulin A secretion is enhanced in

allergic mice lacking the VPAC-2 receptor. Poster presented at the 2009 American Association of Immunologists Conference, Seattle, WA.

21. Samarasinghe A*, Hoselton S, and Schuh J. Immunomodulatory role played by

vasoactive intestinal peptide in allergic asthma. Poster presented at the 2009 Graduate Research and Arts Forum, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND.

22. Samarasinghe A*, Hoselton S, Schuh J. Vasoactive intestinal peptide may perform an

immunomodulatory role in allergic asthma. Poster presented at the 2009 Asthma and Allergy meeting, Keystone, CO.

23. Samarasinghe A*, Hoselton S, Schuh J. Eosinophil infiltration may lead to downstream

airway remodeling in allergic asthma. Poster presented at the Microbiological Sciences poster competition, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND.

24. Samarasinghe A*, Hoselton S, Schuh J. Altered Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide in a Murine

Model of Allergic Asthma. Poster presented at the 2008 summer FASEB conference, Saxtons River, VT

25. Samarasinghe A*, Hoselton S, Schuh J. Pulmonary cell expression of vasoactive intestinal

peptide in a murine model of allergic asthma. Poster presented at the 2007 meeting of the American Association of Immunologists, Miami, FL.

26. Samarasinghe A*, Cohen R, Banner L. Expression of IL-6 and LIF in the degenerative

hippocampus and cerebellum of the sHW rat. Poster presented at the 2006 meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, Atlanta, GA.

Graduate Student Laura A. Doorley, B.S. 2016 - 2017 Role: Doctoral Thesis Mentor Clinical Fellows Jennifer Lee-Armbruster, M.D. 2016 - present

Michael Mangubat, M.D. 2013 - 2016 Research Staff Maneesha Palipane, B.S. (Senior Research Assistant) 2015 - present Yanyan Lin, M.S. (Senior Research Specialist) 2013 - 2015

Kim S. LeMessurier, Ph.D. (Research Associate) 2012 - present Summer Students

Arnav Thakur: Undergraduate 2017 Hannah Buser: Undergraduate 2015, 2016 Kyle Cavender: Undergraduate 2015

Amali E. Samarasinghe

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Sarah Allan: Medical Student 2014 Brian Gavin: Medical Student 2013 Hazem Ghoneim: Graduate Student 2010 - 2012 Omkar Paudel: Undergraduate Student 2008

Student Interns

Angela Walton: Undergraduate Student Spring 2014 Clarissa Gay: Undergraduate Student Spring 2013