Research Scientists, Agriculture Victoria, Horsham, Victoria

Dr Aruni Buddhika is a research scientist in Field Crops Pathology research team, Horsham. She is involved in developing disease management strategies for foliar diseases in cereals such as wheat, barley and oat.

Prior to joining Agriculture Victoria, Aruni completed her PhD at Chrles Sturt University, NSW, investigating interaction of Botrytis cinerea laccases with grapes in the development of botrytis grey mold.

Aruni started her research career as a research assistant in the Microbial Biotechnology Unit, National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Sri Lanka after completing her B.Sc. (Honors) in Botany, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. She completed her M. Philosophy degree in Microbial Biotechnology, developing soil ameliorants in biofilm modes using nitrogen fixing bacteria and rhizosphere fungi. She is passionate about research into the agriculturally important microorganisms and enjoys work in laboratory, glasshouse and field conditions, in a way the knowledge and expertise can be applied in the real world.