Trinity College, Kandy is pleased to congratulate Kenneth Hulugalla of the Batch of 2015 on being awarded the PhRMA Predoctoral Fellowship in Drug Delivery, a highly competitive international award recognising outstanding doctoral research in pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences.
Kenneth is currently pursuing his Doctor of Philosophy in Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Mississippi. His research focuses on improving the way cancer medications are delivered within the body, addressing a long-standing challenge in oncology, ensuring that treatment reaches tumour sites more effectively while minimising impact on healthy tissue.
The fellowship, awarded by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America Foundation, supports a small number of doctoral candidates each year whose work demonstrates strong potential to translate laboratory research into clinical practice. The award provides funding that allows recipients to continue research with clear relevance to real-world medical care.
Kenneth’s academic journey began with undergraduate studies in pharmacy at the University of Colombo, where he graduated at the top of his class and received several academic honours. He later completed a Master of Science in Pharmacology at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, producing research that examined advanced nanoparticle-based approaches to cancer drug delivery. He then progressed to doctoral research, combining engineering and pharmaceutical science to explore patient-specific treatment strategies.
Now at doctoral level, Kenneth’s work examines how differences between patients affect the way cancer drugs interact with the body. By studying these variations, his research seeks to move beyond one-size-fits-all treatment models and towards approaches that are better tailored to individual biological conditions. Such work holds promise for improving outcomes in aggressive cancers and may inform broader applications across oncology.
Speaking to the College on his academic journey, Kenneth stated, “The foundation and education I received at Trinity gave me the background, curiosity, and especially the confidence to always follow my dreams. I’m incredibly grateful to all my teachers and College for every opportunity they gave me. For all the young Trinitians out there, my advice would be: don’t feel confined to traditional career paths if they don’t genuinely interest you. There are so many unique opportunities out there, and Trinity will definitely help you find the tools to reach them. Most importantly, cherish and enjoy your time at College while you can; it’s a place you’ll miss for the rest of your life.”
Reflecting on the award, Kenneth has spoken of the encouragement it brings. He has noted that recognition from an organisation closely linked to medicines that reach patients worldwide reinforces the importance of conducting research that is both rigorous and clinically relevant.
His research is supervised by Dr Thomas Werfel, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, who has highlighted the significance of the fellowship. He has observed that the award is given to only a small number of doctoral researchers each year and reflects both the quality of Kenneth’s work and his potential to contribute meaningfully to the field of drug delivery research.
During his time at Trinity College, Kenneth was actively involved in student leadership, serving as a School Officer, while also contributing to the English Literary Union, English Debating, Sri Lanka Model United Nations, and the Interact Club. He also represented the College in athletics. These experiences helped shape a balanced and disciplined approach to learning, foundations that have continued to support his academic journey across institutions and disciplines.
The College takes pride in seeing its old boys engage thoughtfully with global challenges through research, service, and innovation. Kenneth Hulugalla’s achievements reflect the values of perseverance, intellectual curiosity, and responsibility that Trinity College, Kandy seeks to instil in its students.
Trinity College, Kandy extends its sincere congratulations to Kenneth on this significant milestone and wishes him continued success as he advances his research in service of improved cancer treatment and patient care.
– SA
