Shehani Fernando

Biography

My research focuses on how human-induced environmental changes impact primate gut microbiomes, with an emphasis on urbanization, dietary shifts, and human contact as key drivers of microbial composition and health outcomes. My previous research aimed to characterize the effects of diet and habitat on the primate gut microbiome and assess how urbanization shapes microbial diversity and composition. I examined whether human-provided diet and habitat modifications disrupt natural microbiome structures, making primates more susceptible to opportunistic pathogens and microbial dysbiosis. Additionally, I explored microbial convergence between primates and humans, hypothesising that urban primates with frequent human contact exhibit increased similarity to local human gut microbiomes. This work provided critical insights into how environmental and dietary changes influence primate microbial communities and potential zoonotic risks. Building on this foundation, I aim to investigate antibiotic resistance transmission at the human-wildlife interface. My future research will explore how antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and pathogenic antibiotic resistance bacteria (PARB), establish and persist in primate populations. Primates may acquire ARB and PARB from contaminated environments, increasing their risk of colonization. These resistant pathogens can then transmit back to humans through direct contact, fecal contamination, or shared environments, potentially contributing to zoonotic spillover and the spread of antibiotic resistance in human populations. By integrating whole genome sequencing, my research seeks to uncover the mechanisms driving microbial exchange, ARB colonization, and cross-species transmission. This work will contribute to a broader understanding of zoonotic spillover risks and the role of human-induced environmental changes in shaping antibiotic resistance dynamics in primates and humans.