Cholani K. Weebadde, Ph.D.

Cholani Weebadde

Contact Me

Assistant Professor - Plant Breeder for International Programs
Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences

Phone:
517-353-0159

Email:

Degrees:
Ph.D., Michigan State University, Genetics and Plant Breeding

Fax: 517-432-1982

Cholani Weebadde is an Assistant Professor and the Plant Breeder for International Programs at Michigan State University (MSU). She works with MSU plant breeders to take their research beyond the borders of the United States. She brings together qualified international partners for collaborative research, education, and outreach programs. Support for her current work in Africa and Asia comes from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USAID, USDA FAS, MSU AgBioResearch, and National programs. Her lab currently focuses on soybean (Gycine soja), white yam (Dioscorea rotundata), potato (Solanum tuberosum), bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), rice (Oryza sativa), and strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) breeding and research. Weebadde has a keen interest in DNA Nanobiosensor technologies for further expanding her research and connecting networks in the developing world through citizen scientists and big data.

Teaching:

Weebadde believes in the exchange of knowledge and information with others to build the next generation of leaders in genetics, plant breeding, and biotechnology. She teaches the Plant Breeding and Biotechnology (CSS 441) course at MSU in the spring of even years. Given that this course requires the knowledge of basic genetics, she has taken the initiative to develop short lessons for students to review basic genetics concepts before coming to class. These primers are publicly available to students and educators around the globe.

Weebadde also teaches New Horizons in Biotechnology (CSS 222) in the Fall of every year starting 2017. Prior to this, she has also taught CSS 350 – Introduction to Plant Genetics at MSU in 2012 and 2013. In 2014, she co-taught this course with Dr. Eric Olson. She also gives guest lectures in other CSS courses (CSS 431 and CSS 120) for undergraduates.

In 2009, Weebadde designed and launched an annual short course on Molecular Plant Breeding to share MSU’s wealth of experiences in marker-assisted breeding with the international community. Given that students in the MSU Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology (PBGB) program could benefit from this course as well, she included sessions for international plant breeders to present their research work at the course as a means of bringing case studies of globally important food security crops that may not be grown in Michigan (eg. rice, sorghum, pearl millet, cassava, tef) to MSU’s classrooms. She partners with several plant breeders at MSU and numerous resource faculty from CGIAR centers and other countries to offer this course annually at MSU as well as in international settings (Ecuador, India, and Sri Lanka).

In addition, she continues to give lectures on various aspects of Plant Breeding as well as on the regulatory and policy areas of biotechnology in other short courses organized by the World Technology Access Program (WorldTAP) at MSU. She also utilizes electronic means to deliver lectures to the international plant breeding community.

As a graduate student at MSU (2000 – 2005), Weebadde served as a teaching assistant for ZOL/BOT 341, an undergraduate course in Fundamentals of Genetics for two semesters.  She also tutored three athletes at MSU for this course for an additional semester. During this time, on the recommendation of Dr. Barbara Sears (Instructor for ZOL/BOT 341), Weebadde volunteered to develop a Test Bank for teaching genetics at the College level for Freeman and Company in 2004. In addition, she taught the PLB 800 section 2 – Techniques in Plant Molecular Biology to graduate students. She also followed coursework and seminars offered for the MSU Certification in College Teaching.

Prior to joining Michigan State University, Weebadde served as a teaching assistant and lecturer at the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka where she taught a variety of laboratory classes to undergraduate students in plant sciences.

Outreach:

Weebadde has been serving as the Associate Director of the World Technology Access Program (WorldTAP) of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) since 2006. As a member of the WorldTAP team, she provides leadership for education and capacity-building programs in plant breeding and biotechnology as they relate to international agriculture development. Embedded in these programs are collaborative research, training, and resource network building in the areas of Marker Assisted Breeding (MAB) and Genetic Engineering for crop improvement. These programs are offered in collaboration with MSU faculty across various departments as well as resource faculty from other organizations outside MSU. Through these programs, the team has trained more than 500 scientists and professionals from over 50 countries creating an excellent network, which brings multiple benefits for MSU breeders, biotechnologists, and other scientists. The approach to international collaborative research has been to design and implement programs that involve multiple partners and project teams across institutions for mutual benefits to Michigan agriculture and international agriculture.

 As a part of the global outreach program, Weebadde has gained experience in conducting training, education, and needs assessments in several countries. She was a member of the team that conducted needs assessments in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Mali, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka, which allowed her to gain a deeper understanding of the real needs on the ground, key areas for research, training, and education as well as the local capacity. This understanding is critical in developing a road map for successful capacity building and collaborative programs. Through the training and outreach programs of WorldTAP, MSU has reached out to more than 2000 stakeholders in over 125 countries around the world.  Weebadde concurrently served as the Extension/Outreach Team Lead for the USDA-NIFA funded RosBREED Project, a Coordinated Agriculture Project (CAP) for enabling marker-assisted breeding in Rosaceae crops.

Weebadde has utilized multiple approaches for outreach and extension activities ranging from workshops, “seeing is believing” study tours, training of trainers (ToTs), laboratory/field visits and on-farm demonstration plots, short courses, seminars, forums, side events at conferences, industry roundtables, farmer field days as well as electronic means to facilitate two-way exchanges of information, experiences, and ideas for mutual benefits. Having multiple approaches for outreach is particularly important when working with diverse groups of stakeholders especially on controversial areas such as genetic engineering where there is much misinformation, myths, or lack of evidence-based information. For example, projects that involve building functional biosafety regulatory systems not only require training and educating regulators to make science-based informed decisions but also require educating other stakeholders who influence policy and decision-making such as politicians, lawyers, and farmers some of whom have never seen a genetically engineered crop growing in the field. Many of these high-level stakeholders gain a better appreciation of new technologies when they see it out in the field. Therefore, “seeing is believing” study tours and meeting with farmers growing GE crops are often better options for reaching out to these groups. At MSU, as a part of international biotechnology training courses, team WorldTAP implemented a “Transgenic Teaching Garden” for participants to see the technology in the field. The team also provides them opportunities to interact with Michigan farmers who grow GE, non-GE, and organic crops.

 To offer various outreach programs around the world, team WorldTAP developed partnerships with other universities, CGIAR international centers, private sector, regulatory agencies (EPA, FDA, and USDA-APHIS), Non-Profit organizations (eg. Danforth Center), NGOs (eg. IFIC), Farmer organizations (eg. CAIF) as well as worked in close collaboration with specialists from the US and other countries. WorldTAP has also strongly encouraged south-to-south collaborations for knowledge and technology transfer. These partnerships not only broaden MSU’s network but also provides an excellent platform for continuing exchange of information, experiences, and ideas as we move towards building global knowledge societies.

To support and sustain international programs, she has been successful in attracting funds from various external sources. In this process, she has gained considerable experience in the development of proposals and building a donor network that includes government agencies, private foundations as well as private companies. Currently, she serves as a Co-PI on a grant at MSU from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. She has also been PI and Co-PI in other grants funded by the USDA-FAS, USDA-National Institute for Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA), and USAID. In addition, she has attracted a number of research and training fellowship grants from diverse sources including the World Bank, Kirkhouse Trust in the UK, ICGEB in Italy, and IUSSTF in India.

Since joining WorldTAP in 2004, Weebadde has traveled to over 25 countries around the world for capacity-building activities. Through these travels, she has realized the role that outreach plays in the success of agricultural research and development by reaching out to farmers, policymakers, and other stakeholders.

To further expand international programs in plant breeding, Weebadde hopes to use existing platforms and the strength of the PBGB program to make MSU programs more visible to the international community. In doing so, she wishes to engage MSU’s Alumni network across the globe in win-win collaborative research to reverse “brain drain” to “brain gain”.


PUBLICATIONS REFEREED

Books

  1. David P. Keetch, Diran Makinde, Cholani K. Weebadde and Karim M. Maredia (2014). Co-editor of book, Biosafety in Africa: Experiences and Best Practices.
  1. Rebecca Grumet, James F. Hancock, Karim M. Maredia and Cholani Weebadde. Co-editor of book, Environmental Safety of Genetically Engineered Crops. MSU Press.

 Book chapters:

  1. John W. Medendorp, Jane Payumo, Cholani Weebadde, Kelly Zarka, Karen Hokanson, Phil Wharton and Dave Douches (2021). A Roadmap for Developing Capacity in Plant Biotechnology Field Research: Lessons Learned. Current Topics in Agricultural Sciences, Vol. 1 (manuscript number: 2021/BP/12143D), BP International.

  2. Cholani Weebadde, Karim Maredia and Diran Makinde, 2014. Capacity Building in Biosafety: NEPAD Agency ABNE Approach to Building Functional Biosafety Systems in Africa. Book chapter for Biosafety in Africa: experiences and best practices. 
  1. C.K. Weebadde and K. M. Maredia. 2011. Environmental Issues associated with Transgenic Crops, Environmental Safety of Genetically Engineered Crops. MSU Press. 
  1. M. Maredia, C.K. Weebadde and J.A. Komen. 2011. Capacity Building in Biosafety. Environmental Safety of Genetically Engineered Crops. MSU Press.

  

Journal articles:
 

* Publications involving under-utilized crops are a result of collaborative research conducted with MSU Alumni and their undergraduate students in Sri Lanka. As a result of these collaborative publications, a number of undergraduate student authors have secured graduate assistantships in U.S. universities including MSU to continue their higher studies. Therefore, this is a direct impact of collaborative research with MSU alumni from developing countries that can be replicated in other countries around the world.

In Review (4):
 

  1. Wijesundara, W.M.D.A, Nakandala, N.D.U.S, Wijesundara, W.W.M.U.K., Navanjana, P.W.I., Ranaweera, L.T., Jayarathne, H.S.M., Rathanayake, P.G.R.G., Weebadde, C.K., Wickkramaarachchi, W.A.R.T., Sooriyapathirana, S.D.S.S. (2020). Establishment of apple as an appealing cash crop in Sri Lanka: need, challenges, and opportunities. Ceylon Journal of Science (Second round of the review)
  1. Ananda, G.K.S., Wijesundara, W.W.M.U.K., Herath, H.M.V.P.K., Karunrathne, S.I., Kannangara, S.K., Ranaweera, L.T., Abeysundara, S.P., Udawela, U.A.K.S., Weebadde, C.K. and Sooriyapathirana, S.D.S.S. (2019). Assessment of the applicability of the morphometric variation, DNA fingerprinting and sequencing to discriminate grains and caryopses of the exportable rice genotypes from the other rice varieties in Sri Lanka. SLJAE. (In review)
  1. S.M. Jayarathne, L.T. Ranaweera, T.H.I. Gayathree, S.I. Karunarathne, G.K.S. Aananda, R.D.G.A. Ranasinghe, S.M.N.M. Thilakarathne, C.K. Weebadde, S.D.S.S. Sooriyapathirana (2019) Organoleptic assessment of leafy vegetable bunches and salad preparations of pennyworts in Sri Lanka revealed that consumers have a disparity between visual preference and gastronomic fondness. JNSF (in review)
  1. S.M. Jayarathne, P.G.R.G. Rathnayake, L.T. Ranaweera, R. Nizam, R.M.S.K. Rathnayake, S.K. Kannangara, U.A.K.S. Udawela, C.K. Weebadde, S.D.S.S. Sooriyapathirana (2019) Assessment of the variation of performance indicators under p-starved conditions in a core-set of rice cultivars and their diversity in PUP1-linked DNA marker-haplotypes. Journal of National Science Foundation Sri Lanka (In Review)

 

Accepted (3):

 

  1. Senevirathna, D.G.P.K., Rathnayake, P.G.R.G., Ranaweera, L.T., Weebadde, C.K., Sooriyapathirana, S.D.S.S. (2020). Assessment of the species delimits and seasonal variation of fruit size, organoleptic preference and phytochemical content of rose apple species in Sri Lanka. Journal of Technology and Value Addition (Accepted)
  1. Jayarathne, H.S.M., Ranaweera, L.T., Gayathree, T.H.I., Karunarathne, S.I., Aananda, G.K.S., Ranasinghe, R.D.G.A., Thilakarathne, S.M.N.M., Weebadde, C.K. and Sooriyapathirana, S.D.S.S. (2021). Assessment of the organoleptic properties, species delimits and varietal identities of pennyworts in Sri Lanka. Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka (Accepted)

 

Published (51):

 

  1. John W. Medendorp, Jane Payumo, Cholani Weebadde, Kelly Zarka, Karen Hokanson, Phil Wharton and Dave Douches (2021). A Roadmap for Developing Capacity in Plant Biotechnology Field Research: Lessons Learned. Current Topics in Agricultural Sciences, Vol. 1 (manuscript number: 2021/BP/12143D), BP International.
  1. Ranaweera, L.T., Perera, H.A.C.R., Wijesundara, W.W.M.U.K., Rathnayake, R.M.S.K., Wijesundara, W.M.D.A., Senavirathna, H.M.T.N., Senevirathna, R.W.K.M., Weebadde, C.K., Hancock, J.F. and Sooriyapathirana, S.D.S.S. (2021). Potentila indica (Andr.) nov. (wild strawberry) in Sri Lanka is restricted to a small climatic envelop urging strict conservation. Journal of Agricultural Sciences 16(1): 1-18. http://doi.org/10.4038/jas.v16i1.9179
  1. Sooriyapathirana, S.D.S.S., Ranaweera, L.T., Jayarathne, H.S.M., Gayathree, T.H.I., Rathnayake, P.G.R.G., Karunarathne, S.I., Thilakarathne, S.M.N.K., Salih, R., Weebadde, C.K., Weebadde, C.P. (2021). Photosynthetic phenomics of field- and greenhouse-grown amaranths vs. sensory and species delimits. Plant Phenomics. Volume 2021, Article ID 2539380, 13 pages; https://doi.org/10.34133/2021/2539380
  1. Senevirathna, R.W.K.M., Ranaweera, L.T., Nakandala, N.D.U.S, Senevirathna, H.M.T.N., Wijesundara, W.M.D.A, Jayarathne, H.S.M., Weebadde, C.K., Sooriyapathirana, S.D.S.S. (2020). Analyses of phylogenetics, starch granule morphology and consumer preference of Canna indica grown in Sri Lanka. Ceylon Journal of Science 49(3): 261-273. http://doi.org/10.4038/cjs.v49i3.7777
  1. Rathnayake, R., Sahibdeen, S., Udawela, K., Weebadde, C., Weerakoon, W., Sooriyapathirana, S. (2020). Application of Pedimap - a pedigree visualization tool to facilitate the decisioning of rice breeding in Sri Lanka. Scientific Reports 10, 14255. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-71260-y
  1. Sumanarathne, W.G.A.S., Ranaweera, L.T., Weebadde, C.K., Sooriyapathirana, S.D.S.S. (2020). Assessment of the morphometric variation of fruits and phylogenetics of Elaeocarpus ganitrus (Woodenbegar) and Elaeocarpus serratus (Ceylon olive). Journal of Agricultural Science 15(3): 362-377. http://doi.org/10.4038/jas.v15i2.8794
  1. Gayathree, T.H.I., Karunarathne, S.I., Ranaweera, L.T., Jayarathne, H.S.M., Kannangara, S.K.K., Ranathunga, A.P.D.T., Weebadde, C., Sooriyapathirana, S.D.S.S (2020). Green-spinach, red-spinach, and tree-spinach (‘three-fold spinach’ in Sri Lanka): an insight into phylogenetics and consumer preference. Emirates Journal of Food and Agriculture. 2020. 32(2): 82-91. https://doi.org/10.9755/ejfa.2020.v32.i2.2065. http://www.ejfa.me/
  1. Kannangara, S., Karunarathne, S., Ranaweera, L., Ananda, K., Ranathunga, D., Jayarathne, H., Weebadde, C.K., Sooriyapathirana, S. (2020) Assessment of the applicability of wood anatomy and DNA barcoding to detect the timber adulterations in Sri Lanka. Scientific Reports 10, 4352. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-61415-2
  1. Senevirathna, H.M.T.N., Ranaweera, L.T., Mudannayake, M.M.A.P., Nawanjana, P.W.I., Wijesundara, W.M.D.A., Jayarathne, H.S.M., Ratnasuriya, M.A.P., Weebadde, C.K., Sooriyapathirana S.D.S.S. (2020) Assessment of the taxonomic status of the members of Genus Artocarpus in Sri Lanka. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. 67(5): 1163-1179 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-020-00902-x.
  1. Nakandala, N.D.U.S., Ranaweera, L.T., Weebadde, C.K., Sooriyapathirana, S.D.S.S. (2020) Strigolactone, a novel hormone with essential functions in planta possesses a significant value as a cancer therapeutic agent: a review. Journal of Technology and Value Addition 1(2): 106-153.
  1. Rathnayake, P.G.R.G., Salih, R., Wijesundara, W.W.M.U.K., Sumanarathne, W.G.A.S., Ranaweera, L.T., Jayarathne, H.S.M., Weebadde, C.K. and Sooriyapathirana, S.D.S.S. (2020) Morphological variation, species delimits, and phylogenetic relationships of four important Ipomoeaspecies in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan Journal of Agriculture and Ecosystems 2(1):13-32.
  1. Sooriyapathirana SDSS, Ranaweera LT, Perera HACR, Weebadde CK, Finn CE, Bassil NV, Hancock JF (2019). Using SNP/INDEL diversity patterns to identify a core group of genotypes from FVC11, a superior hybrid family of Fragaria virginiana Miller and F. chiloensis (L.) Miller. Genetics Resources and Crop Evolution https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-019-00819-0 1-8
  1. Ranasinghe RDGA, Ranathunga APDT, Ranaweera LT, Meepegamage SW, Wijesundara WWMUK, Thilakarathne SMNK, Weebadde CK, Sooriyapathirana SDSS (2019) Sweet potato cultivar with characteristic acid-green foliage as an alternative leafy vegetable to water spinach grown in polluted habitats. Sri Lankan Journal of Agriculture and Ecosystems 1(2): 26-50
  1. Ranaweera LT, Jayarathne HSM, Gayathree THI, Karunarathne, SI, Kannangara, SK, Ananda, GKS, Ranasinghe, RDGA, Weebadde, CK, Sooriyapathirana, SDSS (2019) Discrimination of the species and toxic heavy metal contents of Alternanthera sessilis (Sessile Joyweed), A. philoxeroides (Alligator Weed) and other related Alternanthera species. Sri Lankan Journal of Agriculture and Ecosystems 1(2): 51-66
  1. Ranaweera LT, Wijesundara WWMUK, Jayarathne HSM, Knowles NJ, Wadsworth J, Gray A, Adikari AMJB, Weebadde CK, Sooriyapathirana SDSS (2019) Transboundary movements of foot-and mouth disease from India to Sri Lanka: A common pattern is shared by serotypes O and C. PLoS ONE 14(12): e0227126. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227126
  1. Ranaweera, LT, Wijesundara, UK, Jayarathne, HS., Knowles, N, Wadsworth, J, Mioulet, V, Adikari, J, Weebadde, C, Sooriyapathirana SS (2019) Characterization of the FMDV-serotype-O isolates collected during 1962 and 1997 discloses new topotypes, CEY-1 and WCSA-1, and six new lineages. Scientific Reports https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-51120-0.
  1. S. Lewers, P. Castro, J. F. Hancock, C. K. Weebadde, J. V. Die and L. J. Rowland (2019). Evidence of epistatic suppression of repeat fruiting in cultivated strawberry. BMC Plant Biology, 19:386 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-019-1984-7
  1. Rathnayake RMSK, Rathnayake PGRG, Jayarathne HSM, Nizam R, Ranaweera LT, Kannangara SK, Udawela UAKS, Weebadde CK, Sooriyapathirana SDSS (2019). Assessment of the sequence-based haplotype-variants in selected DNA marker loci for the molecular breeding of resistant rice varieties to brown plant hopper. Sri Lankan Journal of Agriculture and Ecosystems 1(1): 2-15.
  1. Kumari SASM, Nakandala NDUS, Nawanjana PWI, Rathnayake RMSK, Senavirathna HMTN, Senevirathna RWKM, Wijesundara WMDA, Ranaweera LT, Mannanayake MADK, Weebadde CK, Sooriyapathirana SDSS (2019) The establishment of the species-delimits and varietal-identities of the cultivated germplasm of Luffa acutangula and Luffa aegyptiaca in Sri Lanka using morphometric, organoleptic and phylogenetic approaches. PLoS ONE 14(4): e0215176 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215176
  1. Acheampong, PP., Owusu Danquah, E. 1, Dissanayake, H.G., Hayford, P. and Weebadde, C. (2019). A socioeconomic study of transition zone yam farmers addressing constraints and exploring Opportunities for Integrating Pigeonpea into Yam Cropping Systems. Journal of Sustainability
  1. Dissanayake RMN, Nakandala NDUS, Nawanjana PWI, Rathnayake RMSK, Senevirathna HMTN, Senevirathne RWKM, Wijesundara WMDA, Ranaweera LT, Ariyathilaka OWSH, Weebadde CK, Sooriyapathirana SDSS (2018) Diversity Analysis of Selected Solanum Species in Sri Lanka using Molecular and Morphological Descriptors. Tropical Agricultural Research 30(4):1–22.
  1. Dissanayake UHK, Senevirathne RWKM, Ranaweera LT, Wijesundara WWMUK, Jayarathne HSM, Weebadde CK, Sooriyapathirana SDSS (2018) Characterization of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Cultivars in Sri Lanka using Morphological, Molecular and Organoleptic Parameters. Tropical Agricultural Research 30(4): 51– 70.
  1. Wijesundara WWMUK, Ananda GKS, Ranaweera LT, Udawela UAKS, Weebadde CK, Sooriyapathirana SDSS (2018). Intellectual property rights (IPRs) for plant breeders: a review on theoretical framework and employment of DNA-based varietal authentication for claiming IPR. Sri Lanka Journal of Food and Agriculture 4(2): 53-70.
  1. Karunarathne SI, Ranaweera LT, Daundasekera DMKC, Ananda GKS, Kannangara SK, Ranathunga APDT, Madhukalpani OVS, Weebadde CK, Sooriyapathirana SDSS (2018) Assessment of the applicability of morphometric, organoleptic and phylogenetic analyses to differentiate soft and firm flesh bearing trees of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) in Sri Lanka. The Journal of Agricultural Sciences 13(3): 200–218. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/jas.v13i3.8394
  1. Ranaweera LT, Hancock JF, Weebadde CK, Sooriyapathirana SDSS (2018) Phylogeographic and phylogenetic analyses of selected set of wild and naturalized Solanum in Sri Lanka. Ceylon Journal of Science 47(1):85-93. http://doi.org/10.4038/cjs.v47i1.7491
  1. Hancock JF, Sooriyapathirana SS, Bassil N, Stegmeir T, Cai L, Finn CE, Van de Weg, E, Weebadde CK (2016) Public availability of a genotyped, segregating population may foster marker assisted breeding (MAB) and quantitative trait loci (QTL) discovery: A example using strawberry. Frontiers in Plant Science 7:1-6. 3389/fpls.2016.00619
  1. Aluwihare Y, Chamikara M, Karannagoda N, Dissanayake R, Ranawaka RAGB, Tennakoon MI, Sirisena D, Samarasinghe G, Weebadde C, Sooriyapathirana S (2016) Screening of segregating F2 progenies and validation of DNA markers through bulk segregant analysis for phosphorous deficiency tolerance in rice. Ceylon Journal of Science 45(2): 87-101
  1. Aluwihare YC, Ishan M, Chamikara MDM, Weebadde CK, Sirisena DN, Samarasinghe WLG, Sooriyapathirana SDSS (2016) Characterization and selection of phosphorus deficiency tolerant rice genotypes in Sri Lanka. Rice Science 23(4): 184-195
  1. Iezzoni, Weebadde, C. Peace, D. Main, N.V. Bassil, M. Coe, G. Fazio, K. Gallardo, K. Gasic, J. Luby, J. McFerson, E. van de Weg and C. Yue (2016). Where are we now as we merge genomics into plant breeding and what are our limitations? Experiences from RosBREED. Acta Hortic. 1117. ISHS 2016. DOI 10.17660/ActaHortic.2016.1117.1. XXIX IHC – Proc. II Int. Berry Fruit Symp.: Interactions!
 Local and Global Berry Research and Innovation.
  1. Chamikara MDM, Ishan M, Karunadasa SS, Perera MKDI, Rajapakse PI, Lelwala RV, Kasthuriarachchi VDW, Jeyakumar DT, Weebadde CK, Sooriyapathirana SDSS (2015) Morphological and microsatellite marker analysis of fruit size and shape in selected accessions and commercial cultivars of Capsicum species in Sri Lanka. International Journal in Multidisciplinary Studies (IJMS) 2(1): 29-50
  1. Sooriyapathirana S, Mookerjee S, Weebadde CK, Finn CE, Lewers K, Bushakra JM, Luby JJ, Stewart P, Hancock JF (2015) Identification of QTL associated with flower and runner production in octoploid strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa). Journal of Berry Research DOI: 10.3233/JBR-150095 5: 107-116
  1. Castro, P., Bushakra, J.M., Stewart, P.,Weebadde, C.K., Wang, D., Hancock, J.F., Finn, C.E., Luby, J.J., and Lewers, K. (2015). Genetic mapping of day-neutrality in cultivated strawberry. Molecular breeding; 35:79
  1. Yue C, Gallardo RK, Luby J, Rihn A, McFerson J, McCracken V, Gradziel T, Gasic K, Reighard G, Clark J, Weebadde C, Sebolt A, Iezzoni (2014). An investigation of United States peach fruit producer’s trait prioritization—evidence from audience clicker surveys. HortScience 49(10):1309-1314
  1. Yue C, Gallardo RK, Luby J, Rihn A, McFerson J, McCracken V, Oraguzie N, Weebadde C, Sebolt A, Iezzoni (2014). An evaluation of U.S. tart and sweet cherry producer’s trait prioritization: evidence from audience surveys. HortScience 49(7):931-937
  1. Yue, C., Gallardo, R. K., Luby, J., Rihn, A., McFerson, J. R., McCracken, V., Whitaker, V. M., Finn, C. E., Hancock, J. F., Weebadde, C. K., & Iezzoni, A. F. (2014). An evaluation of U.S. strawberry producer’s trait prioritization: Evidence from audience surveys. HortScience, 49(2), 188-193. ISSN: 00185345
  1. Moualhi, I., Galhena, H., Maredia, K., & Weebadde, C. K. (2014). Perceptions of non-Europeans on biotechnology in Europe: Bridging the knowledge gap. Asian Biotechnology and Development Review, Vol. 16 No.2:43-52
  1. Mawalagedera SMUP, Janaththani P, Dunuwille SWMB, Perera GAD, Weebadde CK, Wijesundara DSA, Sooriyapathirana SDSS (2014) DNA marker analysis unveils genomic diversity and putative QTLs associated with drupe traits in Phyllanthus emblica Ceylon Journal of Science (Biological Sciences) 43 (2): 31-46
  1. Marasinghe, M.M.P.C., Mawalagedera, S.M.U.P., Ishan, M., Dunuwille, S.W.M.B., Janaththani, P., Dayananda, A.G.M.L.K., Weebadde, C.K., Yakandawala, D.M.D. and S.D.S.S. Sooriyapathirana (2014). DNA based authentication of Solanum melongena var. insanum (V. Elabatu) roots in herbal medicine market to circumvent the use of noxious adulterant, Solanum melongena (V. Eggplant) roots. Journal of Science, Eastern University, Sri Lanka. Vol.7 No.1. pp 35 – 54.
  1. Jayawardana WAD, Jayasekera GAU, Wijesundara RLC, Dissanayake DMN, Sooriyapathirana SDSS, Weebadde, CK, Perera KLNS, Gunapala KRD, Hettige P (2014) Evaluation of DNA markers linked to blast resistance genes Pikh, Pit(P) and Pita for parental selection in Sri Lankan rice breeding. Tropical Agricultural Research. 26(1): 82-95. DOI: 4038/tar.v26i1.8074
  1. Yue, C., Gallardo, R.K., Luby, J., Rihn, A., McFerson, J., McCracken, V., Bedford, D., Brown, S., Evans, K., Weebadde, C., Sebolt, A., and Iezzoni, A. (2013). An Investigation of U.S. Apple Producers’ Trait Prioritization—Evidence from Audience Surveys. Hortscience 48(11): 1378-1384.
  1. Joseph Guenthner; Karim Maredia; Cholani Weebadde. 2012. Forces influencing developing country views of agricultural biotechnology: An analysis of training programme participants' perceptions, International Journal of Biotechnology, 12(3):170-183.
  1. Karim M. Maredia; Joseph F. Guenthner; Cholani K. Weebadde. 2012. A biotechnology short course for developing countries, Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, 19(1):12-15.
  1. Karim M. Maredia, Joseph F. Guenthner and Cholani K. Weebadde. Biotechnology for a Better World: An International Short Course for Developing Countries. Asian Biotechnology and Development Review. Vol. 13 No. 2, pp 31-42.  2011, RIS.
  1. Iezzoni, A., Weebadde, C., Luby, J., Yue, C.Y., Peace, C.P., Bassil, N., and McFerson, J. 2010. RosBREED: Enabling marker-assisted breeding in Rosaceae. Acta Horticulturae 859: 389-394.
  1. Sengooba, R. Grumet, J. Hancock, B. Zawedde, L. Kitandu, C. Weebadde, M. Karembu, E. Kenya, K. Meredia, P. Nampala, J. Ochanda, H. Quemada,M. Rubindamayugi, 2009. Development and delivery of biosafety education relevant to genetically engineered crops for academic and non-academic stakeholders in East Africa. Electronic Journal of Biotechnology, Vol. 12 No.1 (Available online at http://www.ejbiotechnology.info/content/vol12/issue1/full/6/)
  1. K. Weebadde, D. Wang, C.E. Finn, K.S. Lewers, J.J. Luby, J. Bushakra, T.M. Sjulin and J.F. Hancock. 2008. Using a Linkage Mapping Approach to Identify QTL for Day-neutrality in the Octoplid Strawberry (Fragaria  ×ananassa Duch ex Rozier) – Journal of Plant Breeding. Vol 127 N 1, p 94 -101
  1. M. Maredia, C. Ransom and C.K. Weebadde. 2008. Intellectual Property Polices and Practices in South Asia Region. Proceedings of the Special Session on South Asia at the Annual Meeting of the Association of University Technology Managers, March 2008., San Diego, California, USA
  1. M. Karunaratna, C. Weebadde and D. Sarathchandra, 2008. IP Policies and Technology Transfer Practices in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the Special Session on South Asia at the Annual Meeting of the Association of University Technology Managers, March 2008., San Diego, California, USA
  1. M. Maredia and C.K. Weebadde, 2007. Agricultural Biotechnology and Emerging Global Linkages: Perspectives from Michigan State University. Proceedings of the Asian Biotechnology, Innovation and Development (ABIDI) – Issues in Measurement and Collection of Statistics, Research and information Systems for Developing Countries, New Delhi, India, January 2007
  1. Cronquist, C. Weebadde and K. Maredia. 2007. Building Sustainable Biosafety Education Capacity: Training of Trainers Program in Biosafety/Biotechnology. Policy Brief. International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington, D.C., U.S.A.
  1. F. Hancock, C.K. Weebadde and S. Serce. 2007. Challenges Faced by Day-neutral Strawberry Breeders in the Continental Climates of the Eastern USA and Canada – Hort Science
  1. Cholani Weebadde and Clarice Mensah; Report of Breakout group 2: How Will We Provide Improved Varieties of Specialty minor and Subsistence Crops in the Future? HortScience vol. 41(1), February 2006.
  1. Dieudonné Baributsa, Cathy Weir, Cholani Weebadde, Suresh Kumar and Karim Maredia; Building Human Resources and Institutional Capacity in Emerging Areas of International Agricultural Development. Proceeding of the 7th African Crop Science Society Conference, Entebbe, Uganda, December 2005.

 

PUBLISHED ABSTRACTS (Past 10 years)

  1. Susan Halick, Jennifer Wagner and Cholani Weebadde (2021). Consistent course design matters – start with a ready-made course template. Spring conference on teaching, learning and student success – Incorporating technologies. MSU HUB. https://iteach.msu.edu/iteachmsu/groups/iteachmsu/stories/1793?param=post
  1. Wijesundara WWMUK, Ananda GKS, Kannangara SK, Karunarathne SI, Ranaweera LT, Udawela UAKS, Weebadde CK, Sooriyapathirana SDSS (2018). Establishment of varietal identity of selected exportable and mega production rice genotypes in Sri Lanka using DNA fingerprinting. Postgraduate Institute of Science Research Congress (PGIS ResCon) Proceedings, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka p60
  1. Cholani Weebadde, Karim Maredia, Rebecca Grumet, James Hancock and Robert Hollingworth (2014). Biosafety Capacity Building in Africa: Experiences of Michigan State University. 13th International Symposium on the Biosafety of Genetically Modified Organisms (ISBGMO13), Cape Town, South Africa.
  1. Mawalagedera SMUP, Janaththani P, Dunuwille SWMB, Perera GAD, Weebadde CK, Sooriyapathitana SDSS (2014b) Analyses of genetic diversity and drupe size QTLs in Phyllanthus emblica using DNA markers. International Proceedings of the Peradeniya University Research Sessions (iPURSE), Sri Lanka p518
  1. Perera MKDI, Weebadde CK, Hancock JF, Sooriyapathirana SDSS (2014b) DNA fingerprinting for the precise identification of commonly grown Fragaria x ananassa (strawberry) varieties in Sri Lanka. International Conference of Agricultural Sciences 2014, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. p97
  1. Perera MDKI, Janaththani P, Dunuwille SWMB, Hancock J, Weebadde CK, Sooriyapathirana SDSS (2014a) DNA fingerprinting reveals incongruous strawberries in Sri Lanka. International Proceedings of the Peradeniya University Research Sessions (iPURSE), Sri Lanka p571
  1. Weebadde, C. Crisosto, G. Fazio, K. Gallardo, A. Iezzoni, D. Main, C. Peace, G. Reighard, A. Sebolt, A. Stone, E. van de Weg, R. Voorrips, K. Xu. 2010. Abstract - Use of Pedimap in RosBREED for visualizing genetic and phenotypic data across pedigrees in rosaceous crops, American Society for Horticultural Sciences (ASHS)
  1. Iezzoni, C. Peace, N. Bassil, G. Fazio, J. Luby, D. Main, C. Weebadde, C. Yue, E. van de Weg, M. Bink, S. Brown, D. Byrne, J. Clark, C. Crisosto, T. Davis, K. Evans, C. Finn, K. Gallardo, K. Gasic, T. Gradziel, J. Hancock, R. Jussaume, V. McCracken, N. Oraguzie, G. Reighard, A. Stone, M. Taylor, D. Wang, K. Xu. 2010. Abstract - RosBREED: Enabling marker-assisted breeding in Rosaceae, American Society for Horticultural Sciences (ASHS)
  1. Luby, C. Finn, K. Gasic, A. Iezzoni, N. Oraguzie, S. Brown, D. Byrne, J. Clark, C. Crisosto, T. Davis, K. Evans, T. Gradziel, J. Hancock, N. Bassil, G. Fazio, D. Main, C. Peace, C. Weebadde, E. van de Weg, C. Yue. 2010. Abstract - Germplasm sets and standardized phenotyping protocols for fruit quality traits in RosBREED, American Society for Horticultural Sciences (ASHS)
  1. Finn, N. Bassil, J. Hancock, T. Davis, B. Denoyes-Rothan, J. Rees, D. Sargent, P. Stewart, J. Luby, C. Peace, A. Sebolt, C. Weebadde, E. van de Weg, A. Iezzoni. 2010. Abstract - Genetic improvement of strawberry fruit quality with the RosBREED approach, International Horticultural Congress (IHC)
  1. Gasic, S. Brown, D. Byrne, J. Clark, T. Davis, K. Evans, C. Finn, T. Gradziel, J. Hancock, J. Luby, N. Oraguzie, N. Bassil, G. Fazio, D. Main, J. McFerson, C. Peace, E. van de Weg, C. Weebadde, C. Yue, A. Iezzoni. 2010. Abstract - Marker-assisted breeding enabled by RosBREED, International Horticultural Congress (IHC)
  1. McFerson, N. Bassil, M. Bink, S. Brown, D. Byrne, J. Clark, C. Crisosto, T. Davis, K. Evans, G. Fazio, C. Finn, K. Gallardo, K. Gasic, T. Gradziel, J. Hancock, R. Jussaume, J. Luby, D. Main, V. McCracken, N. Oraguzie, C. Peace, G. Reighard, A. Stone, M. Taylor, D. Wang, C. Weebadde, E. van de Weg, K. Xu, C. Yue, A. Iezzoni. 2010. Abstract - Breeding fruit crops in the USA using socio-economic and DNA information International Horticultural Congress (IHC)
  1. Peace, N. Bassil, M. Bink, S. Brown, D. Byrne, J. Clark, C. Crisosto, T. Davis, K. Evans, G. Fazio, C. Finn, K. Gallardo, K. Gasic, T. Gradziel, J. Hancock, R. Jussaume, J. Luby, D. Main, V. McCracken, N. Oraguzie, G. Reighard, A. Stone, M. Taylor, E. van de Weg, D. Wang, C. Weebadde, K. Xu, C. Yue, A. Iezzoni. 2010. Abstract - RosBREED: Enabling marker-assisted breeding in Rosaceae International Horticultural Congress (IHC)
  1. K. Weebadde, 2009. Fourth Asian Biotechnology Conference. Abstract title: Biotechnology Management: Acquisition, Transfer, Adoption and Commercialization: Case study of Sri Lanka. Fourth Asian Biotechnology Conference. Katmandu, Nepal, February 2009.
  1. Girihagama, R. Rajapakse, K. Nichterlein, C. Weebadde and K. Maredia. 2009. Fourth Asian Biotechnology Conference. Abstract title: National Agricultural Biotechnology Research and Development Program for Sri Lanka, Fourth Asian Biotechnology Conference. Katmandu, Nepal, February 2009.