Dushani Palliyaguru

I'm a Ph.D. Toxicologist with more than 10 years of experience in preclinical research, medical devices, consumer products and regulatory submissions.

Toxicologist & Co-Founder at HealthSurveil LC (2023 – Present)

• Lead toxicologist for medical-device biological evaluations and FDA 510(k) submissions involving implantable, ophthalmic, and surgical devices; define risk-based evaluation and testing strategies and prepare scientific safety and regulatory documentation.
• Complete Biocompatibility Evaluation Plans and Biocompatibility Evaluation Reports for a diverse portfolio of medical devices.
• Design and review Extractables and Leachables (E&L) experimentation; analyze data; conduct Toxicological Risk Assessments (TRA) for E&L of interest in accordance with ISO 10993-17 and 18.
• Supported a successful FDA 510(k) clearance for a novel ophthalmic medical device.
• Conduct toxicological risk and exposure assessments for medical devices, pharmaceuticals, biologics, cosmetics, dietary supplements, and consumer products, integrating chemical hazard information, exposure assumptions, dose-response evidence, and regulatory benchmarks.
• Develop and interpret nonclinical toxicology strategies supporting pharmaceutical and biologic regulatory submissions.
• Translate complex scientific and analytical information into clear, defensible technical reports and recommendations for clients and cross-functional collaborators.

Research Fellow at Verité Research (2025 – Present)

• Lead development of policy and regulatory recommendations for a national consumer-product chemical safety framework, with toxicological applications for cosmetics, cosmeceuticals, nutraceuticals, and dietary supplements.

Fulbright U.S. Scholar & Faculty Researcher at University of Colombo (2025 – Present)

• Lead a U.S. Department of State-funded research program evaluating agrochemical-related air pollutants and human and ecological health impacts; oversee field sampling, monitoring instrumentation, data analysis, and laboratory interpretation.
• Design and deliver undergraduate and graduate teaching in environmental health and ecotoxicology; supervise student research and collaborate across academic disciplines.

IRTA Postdoctoral Fellow & NIH K99/R00 Awardee at National Institute on Aging, NIH (2018 – 2023)

• Awarded and led an approximately $1 million NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence research program, establishing an independent laboratory program in aging biomarkers and interventions.
• Directed molecular and phenotypic biomarker characterization across longitudinal epidemiological and preclinical studies, integrating laboratory and clinical datasets.
• Led scientific activities within an approximately $3 million NIH–industry Cooperative Research and Development Agreement evaluating pharmacological and nutritional interventions targeting aging biomarkers.
• Mentored 10+ trainees in laboratory methods, experimental design, data interpretation, and scientific communication; received NIA Outstanding Postdoc Mentor and Nathan W. Shock STAR Mentorship Awards.

Postdoctoral Fellow, Pharmacology & Chemical Biology at University of Pittsburgh (2016 – 2018)

• Developed and validated an LC-MS-based urinary biomarker for use in cancer-prevention clinical trials.
• Directed rodent toxicology and chemoprevention studies evaluating a dietary bioactive compound and breast cancer outcomes.

Graduate Student Researcher, Environmental & Occupational Health at University of Pittsburgh (2010 – 2016)

• Conducted preclinical toxicology research on chemical- and diet-associated organ toxicity, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties, and molecular mechanisms using murine models.
• Applied PCR, Western blotting, ELISA, specialized enzyme assays, and biochemical methods to characterize gene and protein responses.

• Ph.D. in Environmental & Occupational Health (Toxicology); Certificate in Global Health – University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health (2010 – 2016)
• B.A. in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Minor in Mathematics – Clark University (2005 – 2009)