AVC alumnus appointed dean of Sri Lanka’s veterinary school

Congratulations to Dr. Anil Kalupahana who has been appointed dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Peradeniya, in Sri Lanka for a three-year term effective November 1, 2024.

Dr. Kalupahana earned his PhD in Pathology and Microbiology from AVC, where he was co-supervised by Dr. Fred Kibenge and Dr. Scott McBurney. He successfully defended his thesis, “Characterization of orthoreoviruses isolated from American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) winter mortality events in eastern Canada,” in July 2017. He was awarded his degree at Convocation in the spring of 2018. 

During his studies, he received the AVC Department of Pathology and Microbiology Graduate Student Scholarship in 2009-2010 and the Dr. Douglas W. Ehresmann Graduate Award for outstanding research in virology in 2013 and 2017.

Following his doctoral studies, he returned to Sri Lanka as a lecturer in veterinary virology at the University of Peradeniya, later advancing to senior lecturer grade 1.

In 2019, Dr. Kalupahana was unanimously elected head of the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, a position he held for two consecutive terms until his recent appointment as dean. The Department of Veterinary Pathobiology is responsible for teaching veterinary bacteriology and mycology, virology, parasitology, pathology, and immunology to second-year veterinary students.

Dr. Kalupahana’s achievements highlight the global impact of AVC’s graduate programs. His leadership at Sri Lanka’s only veterinary school is a testament to his dedication to veterinary education and research. 

“We are proud to celebrate an AVC alumnus reaching the highest position in veterinary education in Sri Lanka,” said Dr. Fred Kibenge of his former student.

Congratulations, Dr. Kalupahana!