Dr. Sakda Dharmadasa Hewa Galamulage is a Senior Lecturer in Physiology, Neuroendocrine Scientist, and Medical Doctor, and a proud graduate of Monash University, Australia. His academic journey began in 2007 with the Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY) at Taylors College, Melbourne, where he was among the top five students and received multiple academic awards. He completed his Bachelor of Biomedical Science, graduating in the top 15% of his cohort, followed by First Class Honours (H1) in Biomedical Science specializing in Physiology, where he was the top student in his field at the Monash Obesity and Diabetes Institute (MODI). His academic excellence earned him the MODI Scholarship and the Monash Faculty of Medicine Postgraduate Research Scholarship to pursue a Ph.D. in Neuroendocrinology.

Dr. Sakda’s doctoral research focused on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the transgenerational effects of maternal stress on obesity. His work has been published extensively, with over 275 citations, and presented at major conferences including the US Endocrine Society Annual Meeting, the Endocrine Society of Australia (ESA) Conference, and the International Congress of Neuroendocrinology (ICN). He has been recognized with several awards, including the ESA Basic Science Award, the Research Snapshot Award (2013 and 2014), and was an All-Australian Finalist for the ESA Novartis-Junior Scientist Award in 2014.

In 2017, he was selected for the inaugural and competitive Doctor of Medicine (MD) program at Monash University and successfully completed his medical training in prestigious hospitals such as Monash Medical Centre, The Alfred Hospital, and The Toorak Clinic. Following this, he worked as a medical doctor gaining valuable clinical experience at Queensland’s Kingaroy Public Hospital and Greenslopes Private Hospital, as well as Tasmania’s Royal Hobart Hospital.

Dr. Sakda began his academic career as a Teaching Associate in the Department of Physiology at Monash University, Australia, where he served from 2012 to 2016. During this time, he was actively involved in laboratory-based teaching for the units PHY3181 and PHY3102, as well as student assessments and final examination marking.

He later held the position of Unit Lecturer at Edith Cowan University (ECU), Australia (Sri Lanka campus), where he taught Human Reproduction, Development and Ageing (SCH3434) and Introduction to Pharmacology (SCH1105). He has also served as a Senior Lecturer in Physiology at both Sabaragamuwa University and the University of Kelaniya in Sri Lanka.

Dr. Sakda’s teaching expertise spans various disciplines, including physiology, pharmacology, clinical skills, and problem-based learning (PBL). He has contributed to case-based tutorials, laboratory sessions, and interactive teaching formats, employing student-centered approaches to enhance learning outcomes.

He has consistently received positive student evaluations, reflecting his commitment to high-quality and effective teaching. With over eight years of academic experience, Dr. Sakda has played a key role in advancing medical and biomedical education across the Indo-Pacific region.

In addition to his teaching, Dr. Sakda has delivered several keynote and guest lectures, including a keynote address at the Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore (NUS), and has participated in media interviews on topics related to health and education.

Dr. Sakda is the first Monash University Australia alumni doctor to join the School of Medicine at Monash University Malaysia. He is proud to return to his alma mater in this new capacity and is excited to contribute to its esteemed legacy.

At Monash University Malaysia, he serves as a Senior Lecturer, where he contributes to teaching Clinical Skills, Pharmacology, Physiology, and Problem-Based Learning (PBL) sessions, fostering critical thinking and clinical application, while actively pursuing research and academic development.

Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis 

Transgeneration efffects of maternal stress and predisposity to obesity

Prevalence of stress in university workers

Hypothalamic appetite-regulating pathways and link to obesity

Pedagogical research in medical education

MED1100, MED1200, MED2100, MED2200

Clinical skills

Pharmacology Active-Learning sessions and Lectures

Physiology Active-Learning sessions and Lectures

Problem-Based-Learning (PBL) sessions