Profiles
Sisitha Jayasinghe
Sisitha Jayasinghe
Lecturer in Health and Biomedical Sciences
Room C117 , D
+61 3 6324 3147 (phone)
Dr Jayasinghe is a researcher in health, having primary interests in physical activity, body composition, and prevention and management of obesity (and related conditions) in all age groups from infants to elderly. He is currently a Research Fellow in the School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine.
Biography
Dr Jayasinghe joined the University of Tasmania in October 2018 as a Research Fellow in the School of Health Sciences at Newnham. Previously he was Researcher/ Exercise Scientist at University of Lausanne in Switzerland. Between 2015- 2017 he also held a Research Fellow appointment at Cornell University in the United States.
Sisitha completed his PhD in Endocrinology and Physiology at Deakin University Melbourne in 2015. The focus of his doctoral research was about understanding the physiology of the stress response in humans. At University of Lausanne, Sisitha was part of The Aging and Muscle Metabolism Lab that conducts translational research projects covering multiple metabolic diseases in human and non-human models. At Cornell University, Sisitha was involved in research projects that investigated the effects of bariatric surgery in remission of type 2 diabetes and colorectal cancer.
In addition to his prior, broader research interests, Dr Jayasinghe is currently studying body composition and growth patterns in infants as part of a global research consortium. Further, some of Sisitha’s research is focused on community capacity building strategies for sustainable overweight and obesity prevention in Northwest Tasmania.
Career summary
Qualifications
- PhD, Deakin University Melbourne, Australia, 2015. Thesis: Responsiveness to psychological stress and food intake: The influence of adiposity in men and physical activity in women
- BSc (1st Class Hons), Exercise and Sport Science, Deakin University Melbourne, Australia, 2010.
Research Invitations
- Deakin Lab for Meta-Analysis of Research 2019, Stress, mental health, and lifestyle behaviours symposium: synthesising the evidence: Invited speaker.
- Aging, Inflammation, Metabolism and Stress Seminar 2017, Cornell University: Invited speaker.
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences Seminar Series 2014, Deakin University: Invited speaker.
- Modifiable Factors and Stress Responsiveness in Humans 2013, Pennsylvania State University: Invited speaker.
Research awards and accolades
- Swiss Government Research Excellence Scholarship (2017)
- Cornell University Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (2015)
- Alfred Deakin Medal Nominee (Deakin University 2015)
- Endocrine Connections -Top 10 papers (2014)
- Deakin University Publications Scholarship (2014)
- Deakin University Faculty Infrastructure Grant (2012)
- Endocrine Society of Australia Travel Grant (2011, 2012)
- Deakin International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (2011)
Research appointments
- Researcher/ Exercise Scientist – University of Lausanne 2017
- Research Fellow – Cornell University 2015
Memberships
Professional practice
- Exercise and Sports Science Australia
- Endocrine Society of Australia
- The Endocrine Society of USA
- The American Association of Cancer Research
Teaching
Anatomy and physiology, exercise science
View more on Dr Sisitha Jayasinghe in WARP
Fields of Research
- Endocrinology (320208)
- Systems biology (310114)
- Infant and child health (321302)
- Health promotion (420603)
- Systems physiology (320803)
- Social determinants of health (420606)
- Public health (420699)
- Allied health and rehabilitation science (420199)
- Nephrology and urology (320214)
- Health equity (420602)
- Medicinal and biomolecular chemistry (340499)
- Community child health (420601)
- Cardiology (incl. cardiovascular diseases) (320101)
- Behavioural neuroscience (520202)
- Nutrition and dietetics (321099)
- Preventative health care (420605)
- Obstetrics and gynaecology (321502)
Research Objectives
- Neonatal and child health (200506)
- Clinical health (200199)
- Overweight and obesity (200411)
- Other health (209999)
- Women's and maternal health (200509)
- Prevention of human diseases and conditions (200104)
- Evaluation of health outcomes (200202)
- Treatment of human diseases and conditions (200105)
- Allied health therapies (excl. mental health services) (200301)
- Determinants of health (200201)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander determinants of health (210301)
- Health inequalities (200204)
- Rural and remote area health (200508)
- Health surveillance (200303)
Publications
Total publications
36
Journal Article
(27 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Dalton LM, Hills AP, Jayasinghe S, Strong K, Hyland P, et al., 'The Allied Health Expansion Program: rethinking how to prepare a workforce to enable improved public health outcomes', Frontiers in Public Health, 11 ISSN 2296-2565 (2023) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1119726 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Dalton LM; Hills AP; Byrne N | |
| 2023 | Faghy MA, Yates J, Hills AP, Jayasinghe S, da Luz Goulart C, et al., 'Cardiovascular disease prevention and management in the COVID-19 era and beyond: An international perspective', Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases ISSN 0033-0620 (2023) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.pcad.2023.01.004 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Hills AP | |
| 2023 | Jayasinghe S, Holloway TP, Soward R, Patterson KAE, Ahuja KDK, et al., ''An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure': Proposal for a Social Prescribing Strategy for Obesity Prevention and Improvement in Health and Well-being', JMIR Research Protocols pp. 1-12. ISSN 1929-0748 (2023) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.2196/41280 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Holloway TP; Soward R; Patterson KAE; Ahuja KDK; Dalton L; Murray S; Byrne NM; Hills AP | |
| 2023 | Ofori EK, Adekena CN, Boima V, Asare-Anane H, Yorke E, et al., 'Serum leptin levels in patients with chronic kidney disease and hypertensive heart disease: An observational cross‐sectional study', Health Science Reports, 6, (1) pp. 1-9. ISSN 2398-8835 (2023) [Refereed Article] | |
| 2022 | Jayasinghe S, Flies EJ, Soward R, Kendal D, Kilpatrick M, et al., 'Physical activity and food environments in and around schools: a case study in regional North-West Tasmania', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19, (10) Article 6238. ISSN 1660-4601 (2022) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19106238 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 1 Co-authors: Flies EJ; Soward R; Kendal D; Kilpatrick M; Cleland V; Holloway TP; Murray S; Patterson KAE; Ahuja KDK; Hughes R; Byrne NM; Hills AP | |
| 2022 | Jayasinghe S, Herath MP, Beckett JM, Ahuja KDK, Street SJ, et al., 'Gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention in Tasmanian women: the baby-bod study', PLoS ONE, 17, (3) Article e0264744. ISSN 1932-6203 (2022) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264744 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 2Web of Science - 2 Co-authors: Herath MP; Beckett JM; Ahuja KDK; Street SJ; Byrne NM; Hills AP | |
| 2022 | Jayasinghe S, Hills AP, 'Sarcopenia, obesity, and diabetes - The metabolic conundrum trifecta', Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: clinical research & reviews, 16 Article 102656. ISSN 1871-4021 (2022) [Contribution to Refereed Journal] Co-authors: Hills AP | |
| 2022 | Jayasinghe S, Soward R, Dalton L, Holloway TP, Murray S, et al., 'Domains of capacity building in whole-systems approaches to Prevent Obesity-A 'Systematized' Review', International Journal of Integrated Care, 19, (17) Article 10997. ISSN 1568-4156 (2022) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191710997 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 1 Co-authors: Soward R; Dalton L; Holloway TP; Murray S; Patterson KAE; Ahuja KDK; Byrne NM; Hills AP | |
| 2022 | Jayasinghe SU, Faghy MA, Hills AP, 'Social justice equity in healthy living medicine - An international perspective', Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, 71 pp. 64-68. ISSN 0033-0620 (2022) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.pcad.2022.04.008 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 3Web of Science - 1 Co-authors: Hills AP | |
| 2022 | Jayasinghe SU, Misra A, Hills AP, 'Post-COVID-19 syndrome and type 2 diabetes: primacy of exercise in prevention and management', Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome, 16, (1) Article 102379. ISSN 1871-4021 (2022) [Contribution to Refereed Journal] DOI: 10.1016/j.dsx.2021.102379 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 3Web of Science - 1 Co-authors: Hills AP | |
| 2022 | Jayasinghe SU, Soward RI, Holloway TP, Patterson KAE, Ahuja KDK, et al., 'Why some do but too many don't? Barriers and enablers to physical activity in regional Tasmania - an exploratory, mixed-methods study', BMC Public Health, 22 Article 627. ISSN 1471-2458 (2022) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13001-6 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 2Web of Science - 1 Co-authors: Soward RI; Holloway TP; Patterson KAE; Ahuja KDK; Hughes R; Byrne NM; Hills AP | |
| 2022 | Popovic D, Bjelobrk M, Tesic M, Seman S, Jayasinghe S, et al., 'Defining the importance of stress reduction in managing cardiovascular disease - the role of exercise', Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, 70 pp. 84-93. ISSN 0033-0620 (2022) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.pcad.2022.01.008 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 8Web of Science - 8 Co-authors: Hills AP | |
| 2021 | Herath MP, Ahuja KDK, Beckett JM, Jayasinghe S, Byrne NM, et al., 'Determinants of infant adiposity across the first 6 months of life: Evidence from the Baby-bod study', Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10, (8) pp. 1-14. ISSN 2077-0383 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3390/jcm10081770 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 5Web of Science - 5 Co-authors: Herath MP; Ahuja KDK; Beckett JM; Byrne NM; Hills AP | |
| 2021 | Jayasinghe S, Flies EJ, Soward R, Kendal D, Kilpatrick M, et al., 'A spatial analysis of access to physical activity infrastructure and healthy food in regional Tasmania', Frontiers in Public Health, 9 pp. 1-13. ISSN 2296-2565 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.773609 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 1 Co-authors: Flies EJ; Soward R; Kendal D; Kilpatrick M; Holloway TP; Patterson KAE; Ahuja KDK; Hughes R; Byrne NM; Hills AP | |
| 2021 | Jayasinghe S, Herath MP, Beckett JM, Ahuja KDK, Byrne NM, et al., 'Exclusivity of breastfeeding and body composition: learnings from the Baby-bod study', International Breastfeeding Journal, 16, (1) pp. 1-10. ISSN 1746-4358 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1186/s13006-021-00389-x [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 3Web of Science - 3 Co-authors: Herath MP; Beckett JM; Ahuja KDK; Byrne NM; Hills AP | |
| 2021 | Jayasinghe S, Herath MP, Beckett JM, Ahuja KDK, Byrne NM, et al., 'WHO child growth standards in context: The Baby-bod Project - observational study in Tasmania', BMJ Paediatrics Open, 5, (1) pp. 1-7. ISSN 2399-9772 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1136/bmjpo-2021-001123 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Herath MP; Beckett JM; Ahuja KDK; Byrne NM; Hills AP | |
| 2021 | Jayasinghe SU, Hall SJ, Torres SJ, Turner AI, 'Stress system dysfunction revealed by integrating reactivity of stress pathways to psychological stress in lean and overweight/obese men', Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 322, (2) pp. R144-R151. ISSN 0363-6119 (2021) [Refereed Article] | |
| 2020 | Jayasinghe S, Byrne NM, Patterson KAE, Ahuja KDK, Hills AP, 'The current global state of movement and physical activity - the health and economic costs of the inactive phenotype', Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, 64 pp. 9-16. ISSN 0033-0620 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.pcad.2020.10.006 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 4Web of Science - 4 Co-authors: Byrne NM; Patterson KAE; Ahuja KDK; Hills AP | |
| 2020 | Jayasinghe S, Herath MP, Beckett JM, Ahuja KDK, Byrne NM, et al., 'Anthropometry-based prediction of body fat in infants from birth to 6 months: the Baby-bod study', European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 75 pp. 715-723. ISSN 0954-3007 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1038/s41430-020-00768-3 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 1Web of Science - 2 Co-authors: Herath MP; Beckett JM; Ahuja KDK; Byrne NM; Hills AP | |
| 2020 | Turner AI, Smyth N, Hall SJ, Torres SJ, Hussein M, et al., 'Psychological stress reactivity and future health and disease outcomes: A systematic review of prospective evidence', Psychoneuroendocrinology, 114 pp. 1-20. ISSN 0306-4530 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104599 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 141Web of Science - 128 | |
| 2019 | Jayasinghe SU, Tankeu AT, Amati F, 'Reassessing the Role of Diacylglycerols in Insulin Resistance', Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism ISSN 1043-2760 (2019) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2019.06.005 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 14Web of Science - 15 | |
| 2017 | Jayasinghe SU, Torres SJ, Hussein M, Fraser SF, Lambert GW, et al., 'Fitter Women Did Not Have Attenuated Hemodynamic Responses to Psychological Stress Compared with Age-Matched Women with Lower Levels of Fitness', PloS one, 12, (1) pp. 1-18. ISSN 1932-6203 (2017) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169746 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 8Web of Science - 9 | |
| 2017 | McGavigan AK, Henseler ZM, Garibay D, Butler SD, Jayasinghe S, et al., 'Vertical sleeve gastrectomy reduces blood pressure and hypothalamic endoplasmic reticulum stress in mice', Disease models & mechanisms, 10, (3) pp. 235-243. ISSN 1754-8403 (2017) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1242/dmm.027474 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 27Web of Science - 27 | |
| 2016 | Jayasinghe SU, Lambert GW, Torres SJ, Fraser SF, Eikelis N, et al., 'Hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal axis and sympatho-adrenal medullary system responses to psychological stress were not attenuated in women with elevated physical fitness levels', Endocrine, 51, (2) pp. 369-379. ISSN 1355-008X (2016) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1007/s12020-015-0687-6 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 16Web of Science - 15 | |
| 2015 | Jayasinghe SU, Torres SJ, Fraser SF, Turner AI, 'Cortisol, blood pressure, and heart rate responses to food intake were independent of physical fitness levels in women', Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquée, nutrition et métabolisme, 40, (11) pp. 1186-1192. ISSN 1715-5312 (2015) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2015-0168 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 1Web of Science - 1 | |
| 2014 | Jayasinghe SU, Torres SJ, Nowson CA, Tilbrook AJ, Turner AI, 'Cortisol, alpha amylase, blood pressure and heart rate responses to food intake in men aged 50-70 years: importance of adiposity', BMC Obesity, 1 Article 14. ISSN 2052-9538 (2014) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1186/s40608-014-0014-4 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 7 | |
| 2014 | Jayasinghe SU, Torres SJ, Nowson CA, Tilbrook AJ, Turner AI, 'Physiological responses to psychological stress: importance of adiposity in men aged 50-70 years', Endocrine connections, 3, (3) pp. 110-119. ISSN 2049-3614 (2014) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1530/EC-14-0042 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Web of Science - 21 |
Conference Publication
(9 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Herath MP, Hills AP, Beckett JM, Jayasinghe S, Byrne NM, et al., 'Birthweight trends and associated maternal factors among Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Tasmania', HiPP EMR-C, 18 October 2022 (2022) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Herath MP; Hills AP; Beckett JM; Byrne NM; Ahuja KDK | |
| 2021 | Herath MP, Hills AP, Beckett JM, Jayasinghe SU, Byrne N, et al., 'Maternal pre- and perinatal influences on secular birthweight trends in Tasmania: A retrospective analysis of all live singleton births 2005-2018', Nutrition Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2021 Abstracts, 02-03 December, online, pp. 21. (2021) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Herath MP; Hills AP; Beckett JM; Byrne N; Ahuja KDK | |
| 2021 | Jayasinghe SU, Hall SJ, Torres SJ, Turner AI, 'Stress system response divergence revealed by integrating reactivity of stress pathways to psychological stress in lean and overweight/obese men', ISPNE 2021, 7 - 9 September 2021, virtual (2021) [Conference Extract] | |
| 2019 | Jayasinghe SU, Hall SJ, Torres SJ, Turner AI, 'Salivary alpha amylase over cortisol ratio in response to psychosocial stress in overweight/obese and lean men aged 50-70 years', International Society of Psychoneuroendocrinology Conference, 29 - 31 August 2019, Principe di Savoia, Milan, Italy (2019) [Conference Extract] | |
| 2018 | Turner A, Smyth N, Hall S, Torres S, Hussein M, et al., 'How strong is the evidence linking stress reactivity with future health and disease outcomes? - A systematic review of prospective evidence', 48th Annual ISPNE Conference, 6 - 8 September 2018, Beckman Center of the National Academy of Sciences (2018) [Conference Extract] | |
| 2017 | Jayasinghe S, Garibay D, Chouinard T, Cummings B, 'TGR5 contributes to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA)-mediated improvements in glucose regulation in mice', 2017 Keystone Symposia Conference, 3 - 7 March 2017, Monterey, California (2017) [Conference Extract] | |
| 2017 | Turner AI, Grimes C, Nowson CA, Jayasinghe SU, Bruce C, et al., 'Sodium intake was positively associated with cortisol excretion in a cross-sectional sample of Australian school children', 47th Annual Meeting of the International Society of Psychoneuroendocrinology, 7 - 9 September 2017, Zurich (2017) [Conference Extract] | |
| 2013 | Jayasinghe SU, Torres SJ, Townsin E, Nowson CA, Tilbrook AJ, et al., 'Salivary cortisol, salivary alpha amylase and heart rate responses to psychological stress: Importance of adiposity in men', ENDO 2013: The Endocrine Society 95th Annual Meeting, 15 - 18 June 2013, San Francisco, USA (2013) [Conference Extract] | |
| 2010 | Torres SJ, Turner AI, Townsin E, Jayasinghe SU, Nowson CA, 'The effect of overweight and obesity on blood pressure responses and recovery to acute psychological stress in men', Annual Scientific Meeting - Nutrition Society of Australia 2010 (2010) [Conference Extract] |
Grants & Funding
Funding Summary
Number of grants
1
Total funding
Projects
- Description
- : The primary objective of this project is to implement an evidence based, multidisciplinary, effective model of care and lifestyle interventions (Healthy Outcomes for the Future (HOFF) program) as part of routine care provided at antenatal clinics in the rural North West (NW) Tasmania to improve the health of mothers and their offspring. It is intended that the implementation of a suite of dietary, exercise and mental health interventions will curtail frequent occurrences of excess gestational weight gain (GWG), attenuate the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and reduce adverse outcomes at birth (for both mother and child). The proposed research will utilise a co-design approach, amalgamating contributions from clinicians, research and primary care staff from North West Regional Hospital (NWRH), obesity researchers from University of Tasmania (UTAS) and all women who present at antenatal clinics in NWRH and Mersey Community Hospital (MCH). Implementation of the proposed research will primarily be guided by the recent findings of the scoping research conducted into the status of the antenatal care in NW Tasmania (Unpublished data Sharon L). Further to this, a blueprint for a sustainable antenatal care program will be generated in partnership with key stakeholders at NWRH, UTAS and the Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH). Pertinent implementation strategies will be adopted from the Health in Preconception, Pregnancy and Post-Birth (HIPPP) currently in practice at RHH, with the overarching view of strategically prioritising implementation research, translation of research to practice, capacity building and collaboration between clinicians, researchers and patients. Specific Aims of the proposed research include: 1. Continuous monitoring and improvement of antenatal care practices regarding lifestyle risk factors and maternal obesity during pregnancy in the NW. 2. Develop a pathway to improve the rate of glucose tolerance tests (GTT) 'not done' during pregnancy and identify alternative diagnostic methods for those at high risk. 3. Intervene on the already identified implementation enablers and barriers of integrated antenatal care within the NWRH and MCH settings. 4. Comparing the effectiveness of providing multidisciplinary lifestyle support in early pregnancy with standard care, in the context of reducing GWG, birth complications, postnatal outcomes and GDM (including GDM diagnosis). 5. Implementation of meaningful and applicable modifications in the antenatal care program, while lowering (or at least not increasing) the burden on clinicians at NWRH and MCH. 6. To determine if GWG is associated with infant weight and body composition (during the first 6 months of life), and immediate and long-term adverse outcomes in the babies. 7. To determine whether the lifestyle interventions will lead to sustained improvement postnatal dietary intake and physical activity. 8. Co-design a blueprint for the sustainable best-practice model to promote a healthy lifestyle and facilitate healthy weight gain during pregnancy. 9. Evaluate the lifestyle intervention implementation and patient outcomes, and provide detailed knowledge on the adoption, reach, engagement, and maintenance of the intervention elements within clinical practice.
- Funding
- Clifford Craig Foundation ($62,606)
- Scheme
- Grant
- Administered By
- Tasmanian Health Service - North West
- Research Team
- Luccisano S; Weber HC; Robertson IK; Murfet G; Choudheri S; Jayasinghe SU; Ahuja KDK; Gleeson M
- Period
- 2019 - 2021
Research Supervision
Current
1
Current
| Degree | Title | Commenced |
|---|---|---|
| PhD | Environmental and Social Determinants of Adult Body Mass Index in Northwest Tasmania | 2022 |