
Encourages students to explore new ideas.
Inspires students to reach new heights.
Creates dynamic and engaging lessons.
Encourages students to think critically.
Always respectful and encouraging to all.
Dr. Angelo Karunaratne serves as a Lecturer at Curtin University Colombo within the Global Curtin portfolio. He earned his PhD in Biomaterials and Medical Engineering from Queen Mary University of London, School of Engineering and Materials Science, focusing his doctoral thesis on 'Analysis of Alterations in Matrix Quality at the Nanoscale in Metabolic Bone Disease,' which received acclaim including the Best Doctoral Thesis in Biomechanics award. He completed his first degree in Medical Engineering in 2009. His academic and professional journey includes roles as Researcher at Diamond Light Source synchrotron facilities (beamlines I13, I12, I22) from 2009 to 2012, Associate Professor at the University of Moratuwa's Department of Mechanical Engineering in 2012, Research Officer in Biomedical Engineering at Swansea University, Senior Lecturer at the University of Moratuwa, and visiting academic positions at Curtin University, ICBT Campus, and Next Campus Sri Lanka. Additionally, he has held industry leadership positions such as CTO/CSIO at BCan and VitalPro, emphasizing translational research, innovation strategy, and MedTech consultancy.
Karunaratne's research specializations encompass biomechanics, biomaterials, mechanobiology, bio-instrumentation, multiscale imaging, nanomechanics of bone, osteoporosis, bone mineralization, cartilage research, and wearable technologies. His investigations utilize advanced techniques like synchrotron X-ray nano-mechanical imaging, 4D tomography, and semantic segmentation of micro-CT images to study bone ingrowth into biodegradable scaffolds, sintering in 3D-printed glass scaffolds, and fibrillar-level responses in steroid-induced osteoporosis and age-related hip fractures. Key publications include 'Nanoscale mechanisms in age-related hip-fractures' (2020), 'Mechanical response of cortical bone in compression and tension at the mineralized fibrillar level in steroid induced osteoporosis' (2020), 'A Cross-Sectional Study of Bone Nanomechanics in Hip Fracture and Aging' (2023), 'Semantic Segmentation of Micro-CT Images to Analyze Bone Ingrowth into Biodegradable Scaffolds' (2022), 'In situ 4D tomography image analysis framework to follow sintering within 3D‐printed glass scaffolds' (2021), and 'Effect of process variables on optimisation of mechanical properties of silica/poly(tetrahydrofuran) sol-gel hybrids' (2025). With 737 citations, his contributions have notably influenced the field of biomedical engineering. He collaborates on initiatives like the NIHR iPrOTeCT project with Imperial College London and engages in public lectures and workshops, such as empowering engineering students at Curtin Colombo on problem-solving and innovation.
