Dr. Jaikrishna Balakittnen

Dr. Jaikrishna Balakittnen

Senior Lecturer (Gr II) in Medical Laboratory Sciences

Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Oncology
B.Sc (Hons) in Medical Laboratory Sciences (Jaffna)

jaikrishna@univ.jfn.ac.lk

Overview

Jaikrishna Balakittnen is a Senior Lecturer Grade II at the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Jaffna and an early-career molecular oncology researcher specialising in oral and oropharyngeal cancer biology, microRNA regulation, and saliva-based liquid biopsy (miRNAs, Human Papilloma Virus) approaches for cancer detection, risk prediction, and therapeutic development. He completed his PhD in Molecular Oncology at Griffith University, Australia, in August 2025, undertaking a multidisciplinary research program spanning biomarker discovery and validation, the molecular mechanisms of oral cancer, functional cancer biology, and translational diagnostics. He has demonstrated emerging research independence through high-impact, first-author peer-reviewed publications, including a highest Field Weighted Citation Index (FWCI) of 9.44, competitive research funding, research awards, intellectual property, and successful commercial translation.

He is a co-inventor of a salivary microRNA diagnostic technology that has been patented and will be licensed to a US-based biotechnology company, demonstrating his capacity to translate fundamental molecular discoveries towards clinically relevant applications. In parallel with his research, Balakittnen is an experienced university lecturer at University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka and research supervisor with expertise in undergraduate teaching, student supervision and mentoring, curriculum development and interdisciplinary collaboration. He has contributed to building research capacity and supporting the development of emerging researchers. As a certified Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) analyst, he applies advanced in-silico pathway analysis to identify and validate cancer-associated molecular pathways and therapeutic targets. His overarching research goal is to develop clinically relevant molecular biomarkers and innovative therapeutic strategies that improve the early detection, risk stratification and treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancer.

2025: Doctor of Philosophy, Griffith University, Australia

2017: BSc (Hons) in Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Jaffna (Second Class, Upper Division)

Chronology of career

  • 2017 Dec – 2018 May: Temporary Demonstrator, Dept. of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna
  • 2018 May – 2018 November: Intern Medical Laboratory Technologist, Teaching Hospital, Jaffna.
  • 2018 December – 2019 January: Medical Laboratory Technologist, Teaching Hospital, Jaffna.
  • 2019 March – 2025 August: Lecturer, Dept. of Medical Laboratory Sciences
  • 2025 August – Present : Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Medical Laboratory Sciences

Activities

  • Serving as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Jaffna Science Association of Section C of the Jaffna Science Association.
  • Served as a Track Chair at the International Conference on Healthy Delights – ICHD 2026 organized by Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
  • Served as a Reviewer for the Abstracts submitted to the International Conference on Healthy Delights – ICHD 2026 organized by Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
  • Delivered a Plenary Speech on “Beyond conventional biopsies: The promise of salivary miRNAs in the diagnosis and prediction of oral cancer” at the “2nd International Research Conference on Healthy Delights – 2024”, organized by Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka
  • Registered Medical Laboratory Technologist, Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC), 2689
  • President, Allied Health Sciences Student Union, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka 02/15 – 07/16

Admin Roles

  • 2019 – 2020:  Member of the IT, Web and Library Committee of the Faulty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Jaffna.
  • 2019 – 2020:  Member of the Student’s Welfare committee of the Faulty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Jaffna.
  • 2019- 2021: In-charge of LMS, Dept. of MLS, Faulty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Jaffna.

Awards

  • “Outstanding Publication of the Year 2024” by International Journal of Oral Science (Impact Factor 17.6, 2026) https://doi.org/10.1038/s41368-023-00273-w
  • Winner: “Professor William Egerton Best Discovery & Innovation Research Award”, The Herston Health Precinct Symposium, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (Metro North Health), Queensland, Australia 04/24 https://metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/rbwh/hhp-24/awards
  • Highly Commended: “Higher Degree Research Award”, The Herston Health Precinct Symposium, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (Metro North Health), Queensland, Australia 04/24 https://metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/rbwh/hhp-24/awards
  • GRIDD Director Circles Award, 2023
  • Winner: “Best Impact Slide”, GRIDD Student Symposium, 04/24
  • Winner: “People’s Choice Award”, GRIDD 3-Minute Heats, 2023
  • Runner-up: Oral Presentation, Saliva and Liquid Sampling Australia, 2023
  • 2nd Runner-up: Oral Presentation, Griffith Cancer Research Network Symposium, 2022
  • AHEAD PhD Scholarship Award funded by World Bank
  • First place in the Quiz Competition Annual Academic Sessions 2021 hosted by the College of Chemical Pathologists of Sri Lanka.

Research Grants

  • Tour de Cure – Postgraduate Research Students, PhD Scholarship, $10,000, Beyond Biopsies: Salivary miRNA Profiles to Early Detect Oral Cancer
  • Chief Investigator B in ANZAOMS Research & Education Foundation & Trust, $29,396, What Happens to the Salivary MicroRNA Profile of Oral Potentially Malignant Lesions After Excision

Peer reviewed Journal articles

Conferences

Oral presentations

  1. Balakittnen, J., Ekanayake Weeramange, C., F. Wallace, D., H.G. Duijf , P., S. Cristino, A., Hartel, G., A. Barrero, R., Taheri, T., Kenny, L., Vasani, S., Batstone, M., Breik, O., & Punyadeera, C. (2024). Beyond conventional biopsies: The promise of salivary miRNAs in the diagnosis and prediction of oral cancer [Conference presentation]. The Herston Health Precinct Symposium, Brisbane 2-4 September 2024.
  2. Balakittnen, J., Ekanayake Weeramange, C., F. Wallace, D., H.G. Duijf , P., S. Cristino, A., Hartel, G., A. Barrero, R., Taheri, T., Kenny, L., Vasani, S., Batstone, M., Breik, O., & Punyadeera, C. (2024). The Biological and Clinical Roles of miRNAs in Oral Cancer Pathogenesis [Conference presentation]. GRIDD Student Symposium, Brisbane 14-15 March 2024.
  3. Balakittnen, J., Ekanayake Weeramange, C., F. Wallace, D., H.G. Duijf , P., S. Cristino, A., Hartel, G., A. Barrero, R., Taheri, T., Kenny, L., Vasani, S., Batstone, M., Breik, O., & Punyadeera, C. (2023). Beyond Traditional Biopsies: Salivary miRNAs for the Diagnosis and Prediction of Oral Cancer [Conference presentation]. The Griffith University Cancer Research Network ECR and HDR Symposium, Brisbane 8th December 2023.
  4. Balakittnen, J., Ekanayake Weeramange, C., F. Wallace, D., H.G. Duijf , P., S. Cristino, A., Hartel, G., A. Barrero, R., Taheri, T., Kenny, L., Vasani, S., Batstone, M., Breik, O., & Punyadeera, C. (2023). Novel Salivary miRNA Signatures to Early Diagnose and Predict Oral Cancer [Conference presentation]. NSW Cancer Conference, Sydney 18-19 September 2023.
  5. Balakittnen, J., Ekanayake Weeramange, C., F. Wallace, D., H.G. Duijf , P., S. Cristino, A., Hartel, G., A. Barrero, R., Taheri, T., Kenny, L., Vasani, S., Batstone, M., Breik, O., & Punyadeera, C. (2023). A Novel Saliva-Based miRNA Signature to Early Diagnose and Predict Oral Cancer [Conference presentation]. Saliva and Liquid Biopsy Sampling Australia (SALSA23), Melbourne June 1-2 2023.
  6. Balakittnen, J., Ekanayake Weeramange, C., F. Wallace, D., H.G. Duijf , P., S. Cristino, A., Hartel, G., A. Barrero, R., Taheri, T., Kenny, L., Vasani, S., Batstone, M., Breik, O., & Punyadeera, C. (2023). Novel Salivary miRNA Signatures to Early Diagnose and Predict Oral Cancer [Conference presentation]. GRIDD Student Symposium, Brisbane 23-24 March 2023.
  7. Balakittnen, J., Ekanayake Weeramange, C., F. Wallace, D., H.G. Duijf , P., S. Cristino, A., Hartel, G., A. Barrero, R., Taheri, T., Kenny, L., Vasani, S., Batstone, M., Breik, O., & Punyadeera, C. (2024). Novel Saliva-Based miRNA Signatures to Early Diagnose Oral Cancer and Predict Oral Cancer Risk in Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders [Conference presentation]. Inaugural Griffith University Cancer Research Network ECR and HDR Symposium, Brisbane 2nd December 2022.
  8. Balakittnen, J., Ekanayake Weeramange, C., F. Wallace, D., H.G. Duijf , P., Kenny, L., Vasani, S., & Punyadeera, C. (2022). The Biological and Clinical Roles of microRNA-9 and microRNA-210 in Oral Carcinogenesis [Conference presentation]. GRIDD Student Symposium, Brisbane 17-18 March 2022.
  9. Jaikrishna B, Kesavan V, Kandeepan K, 2019, Prediction of Fasting Plasma Glucose with Non-Invasive Salivary Glucose Level and Its Correlation on Diabetic Patients Attending Diabetic Centre at Teaching Hospital, Jaffna, 12th International Research Conference, General Sir John Kotelwala Defence University, 246

Poster presentations

  1. Balakittnen, J., Ekanayake Weeramange, C., F. Wallace, D., H.G. Duijf , P., S. Cristino, A., Hartel, G., A. Barrero, R., Taheri, T., Kenny, L., Vasani, S., Batstone, M., Breik, O., & Punyadeera, C. (2023). Beyond Biopsies: Salivary miRNA profiles to early detect and predict Oral Cancer [Conference presentation]. OneTRI Conference, Brisbane 5th October 2023.
  2. Balakittnen, J., Ekanayake Weeramange, C., F. Wallace, D., H.G. Duijf , P., S. Cristino, A., Hartel, G., A. Barrero, R., Taheri, T., Kenny, L., Vasani, S., Batstone, M., Breik, O., & Punyadeera, C. (2023). Novel Saliva-Based miRNA Signatures for the Early Diagnosis and Prediction of Oral Cancer [Conference presentation]. The 62nd Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) Health Symposium, Brisbane 22–25 August 2023.
  3. Jaikrishna B, Kesavan V, Kandeepan K, 2018, Correlation Between Plasma and Salivary Glucose Level on Diabetic Patients Attending Diabetic Center at Teaching Hospital, Jaffna, [Conference presentation] 3rd Annual Academic Sessions 2018, College of Chemical Pathologists of Sri Lanka, 85

BScHons in Medical Laboratory Sciences

  • Clinical Biochemistry I & II
  • Research Methodology and Medical Statistics
  • Immunology
  • Ethics and Communication
  • Biotechnology and Molecular Biology