Chamindi Seneviratne, MD

Principal Investigator

Dr. Chamindi Seneviratne is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UMSOM, and an NIH-funded principal investigator studying alcohol and other substance use disorders. Dr. Seneviratne received her MD from Riga Stradins University, Latvia. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in neurobiochemistry at the University of Texas at San Antonio under the mentorship of Dr. Martin A. Javors and a four-year research fellowship in molecular genetics in addiction with Drs. Ming D. Li and Bankole A. Johnson at the University of Virginia. Dr. Seneviratne was on faculty at University of Virginia until 2014, before she joined the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) in Baltimore. In addition to her academic pursuits, she is a long-time student of competitive ballroom dancing, enjoys trying out fitness and wellness programs and occasional baking. (Faculty profile: Seneviratne, Chamindi | University of Maryland School of Medicine (umaryland.edu) )

Jessica Cornell, BS

Laboratory Research Assistant

Jessica Cornell joined Dr. Seneviratne’s lab in 2018 after obtaining a B.S. in Biotechnology from James Madison University. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree part-time in Cellular and Molecular Biomedical Science at University of Maryland, Baltimore. Jessica uses the knowledge she’s gained from her studies and experience working in the lab towards her current research projects which focuses on the underlying genetic causes of addictions, specifically alcohol use disorder. She hopes to find novel biomarkers for better treatment and research for those suffering with addictions. Outside the lab, Jessica enjoys spending her time hip hop dancing, reading, cooking, and trying new foods.

John Sivinski

Laboratory Research Assistant

John Sivinski joined Dr. Seneviratne’s lab in November 2019. He is currently attending University of Maryland, pursuing a B.S. in biotechnology. He is currently investigating the genetic biomarkers of addiction and their response to novel drug therapies. In the future, he hopes to continue investigating and develop therapies in the treatment of drug addiction. Outside of the lab, John enjoys reading, hiking, and fishing.