Wasantha Jayawardene

Wasantha Jayawardene

Associate Professor
wasantha@siu.edu
618-453-3101
Pulliam 323C
Public Health

Trained as a physician and public health scientist, Wasantha Jayawardene, MD, PhD, joined SIU in 2022. Previously, he held positions at Indiana University Bloomington and served in clinical and public health roles in Sri Lanka. His work has been widely published and supported by federal funding and the states of Indiana and Illinois. He has actively involved in local collaborations in southern Illinois and national service, including roles within the American Public Health Association and participation in federally convened expert workgroups.

Professional Interests:

  • Opioids, alcohol, tobacco, and prescription drugs
  • Digital health and technology-based interventions
  • Consumer preferences, behaviors, and attitudes
  • International health reciprocal innovation

Education:

  • MD in General Medicine, People’s Friendship University of Russia, Moscow. 2002.
  • MS in Health Promotion, Indiana University Bloomington. 2010.
  • PhD in Health Behavior (Major) and Neuroscience (Minor), Indiana University Bloomington. 2014.
  • Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Indiana University Bloomington. 2014-2017.

Social Perception Lab

Research Interests:

Dr. Jayawardene’s research centers on substance use and prevention; vaping and tobacco control; mental health and violence; social determinants of health; and the application of immersive and digital technologies to address pressing public health challenges, including drug overdoses. Prior to joining SIU, his work spanned a broader range of topics, including obesity, asthma, and HIV. Drawing on training and experience in medicine, public health, and behavioral science, Dr. Jayawardene brings an interdisciplinary perspective to understanding and addressing complex public health problems.

Awards and Honors:

  • 2026 Scholar of the Year Award, SIU College of Health and Human Sciences
  • 2025 Scholar of the Year Award, SIU College of Health and Human Sciences
  • 2024 Early Career Faculty Excellence Award, SIU College of Health and Human Sciences
  • 2018 Publons Peer-Review Award for the top 1% of reviewers in the field.

Selected Publications (2024-2025) 

  1. Youth Opioid Prevention Workgroup. Preventing Opioid Use and Overdose in School-Age Youth: Considerations from a National Workgroup of Prevention Experts. High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program: A Division for Advancing Prevention and Treatment. Publication #: PPRC24-010-01. Release Date: October 3, 2024. Available at: https://www.hidta.org/adapt/prevention-intervention-resource-center/  
  2. Jayawardene WP, Lohrmann DK, Agley JD, Jun MC, Gassman RA. Adverse Childhood Experience-Related Conditions and Substance Use in Adolescents: A Secondary Analysis of Cross-Sectional Survey Data. Journal of School Health. 2024; e-pub January 28. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.13429
  3. Jayawardene WP, Choi HJ, Kumbalatara CD, Ketuma J, McDaniel JT, Hecht M. Effects of Online Naloxone Training for Laypersons: An Extended-Baseline Assessment. Substance Use and Misuse. 2024; e-pub August. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2024.2392524
  4. Jayawardene WP, Kumbalatara CD, Kase M, Goodson A, Park A, Willett J, Barrows S, Bolinski R, Magnuson R. Development and Testing of a Self-Paced Virtual Reality-Based Naloxone Training. Substance Use and Misuse. 2025; 1–6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2025.2560073
  5. Jayawardene WP, Tran P, Dufner M, Kumbalatara CD, McDaniel JT. Vaping Cessation Attempts and Intentions among Undergraduate Students: Insights into Interventions. Journal of College Student Mental Health. 2025; 39(2): 349–364. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/28367138.2024.2365651
  6. Manietta M, Kumbalatara CD, Rhodes J, Jadalla H, Jayawardene WP. Preventing Underage Tobacco Access: A Cross-Sectional Study of Retailer Training in Southern Illinois. Health Promotion Practice. 2025; 0(0). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/15248399241311842
  7. Kumbalatara CD, Cortez D, Jayawardene WP. Chronic Pain Conditions and Over-the-Counter Analgesic Purchases in U.S. Households: An Analysis of Nielsen-Kilts Ailment and Consumer Panel Data (2023). Psychoactives. 2025; 4(2):18. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/psychoactives4020018

Received Grants

  1. Office of Firearm Violence Prevention Reimagine Public Safety Act (RPSA) Evaluator. Role: Lead Evaluator ($2,313,672 from Illinois Department of Human Services)
  2. Developing and testing the Opioid Rapid Response System (ORRS): A Randomized Waitlist-Controlled Trial. Role: Principal Investigator ($255,773 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse)
  3. A Theory-Driven, Rurally Tailored, Family-Based, Telehealth Intervention for Childhood Obesity (eatNplay): A Cluster Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial. Role: Principal Investigator ($148,048 from the Indiana University Center for Rural Engagement)
  4. Synergistic Effects of Tracking Human and Canine Activity Together: A Factorial Randomized Controlled Trial. Role: Principal Investigator ($25,880 from Mars, Inc.)
  5. Development and testing of a Mixed Reality-Based Naloxone Training (ReviveXR). Role: Principal Investigator ($30,000 from Illinois Innovation Network)
  6. State of Indiana Tobacco Compliance Survey Project. Role: Principal Investigator ($38,792 from Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction)
  7. Tobacco Retailer Training Compliance Survey of Southern Illinois. Role: Principal Investigator ($44,439 from Illinois Department of Public Health)
  8. Promoting the Integration of Primary and Behavioral Care (PIPBHC) Evaluation. Role: Co-Principal Investigator ($443,317 from Illinois Department of Human Services)