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Department
Department of Oral Sciences
Qualifications
BEng(Hons) (Sheffield) PhD (Otago)
Research summary
Biomaterials and regenerative medicine
Teaching
Oral biology, biomaterials and bioengineering
Memberships
  • European Society of Biomaterials (ESB)
  • Australasian Society for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering (ASBTE)
  • International Association of Dental Research (IADR)
  • Materials Research Society (MRS)

Research

My main area of research is focused on developing novel biomaterials from waste resources for biomedical applications.

I became interested in adding value to the waste products from New Zealand’s annual $NZ6 billion red meat export industry. I have significant expertise in characterising biomaterials using various analytical techniques and evaluating biocompatibility using in-vitro and in-vivo techniques.

My secondary research interests lie in developing medical devices, dental materials, restorative dentistry and dental education.

Current research strategies are focused on:

  • Developing novel bone grafts from bovine and ovine bone for bone regeneration applications
  • Developing bio-composite materials for biomedical applications (wound dressing, cleft lip palate repair, and orthopaedic applications)
  • Development and testing of a bovine-derived nanohydroxyapatite toothpaste for caries management
  • Development of a hybrid composite from natural Montmorillonite clay and waste bovine bone for dental restoration applications
  • Synthesis of A Triple-functionalized Multilayer on Porous CFR-PEEK Implants

Additional details

I serve as an adjunct Senior Lecturer at the Kothelawala Defence University (KDU), Sri Lanka. I have commercial collaborations with Colgate Palmolive Ltd, ANZCO foods and Intuitive 8 Healthcare LLC (India) and Universities in the UK, Australia, Saudi Arabia, China, Sri Lanka and the USA.

Before moving to New Zealand, I served in the British and Sri Lankan military. Outside of work, you can find me on the cricket field or walking my two dogs.

Publications

Andrade Villalobos, M., Bennani, V., Aarts, J. M., & Ratnayake, J. (2025). Accuracy of intra-oral scanners for full crown tooth preparations with subgingival margins: A systematic review. European Journal of Prosthodontics & Restorative Dentistry, 33(1), 104-112. doi: 10.1922/EJPRD_2812Matias09 Journal - Research Article

Veerasamy, A., Lyons, K., Crabtree, I., Ratnayake, J., & Brunton, P. (2025). Nursing students’ perspectives toward providing oral health care for older people. International Journal of Dentistry, 2025, 5545284. doi: 10.1155/ijod/5545284 Journal - Research Article

Ratnayake, J., Ramesh, N., Gould, M. L., Mucalo, M. R., & Dias, G. J. (2025). Silicate-substituted bovine-derived hydroxyapatite as a bone substitute in regenerative dentistry. Journal of Applied Biomaterials & Functional Materials. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1177/22808000251314302 Journal - Research Article

Lin, J., Bennani, V., Aarts, J. M., Brunton, P., & Ratnayake, J. (2025). Factors influencing success rate of ceramic veneers on endodontically treated anterior teeth: A systematic review. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 133(1), 62-70. doi: 10.1016/j.prosdent.2023.10.031 Journal - Research Article

Choudhury, M., Brunton, P., Dias, G., Schwass, D., Meledandri, C., Ratnayake, J., Pletzer, D., & Tompkins, G. (2024). Gold nanoparticles as innovative therapeutics for oral mucositis: A review of current evidence. Drug Delivery & Translational Research. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s13346-024-01748-x Journal - Research Other

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