Dr Samantha Herath

• Fellowship in Interventional Bronchoscopy and Thoracic Malignancy, 2013  McGill University, Montreal.
• Master of Philosophy in Sleep Medicine, 2012, University of Sydney                                        
• Sleep Physician Level 1 Sleep Training, Royal prince Alfred Hospital and Woolcock Institute of Medical Research 2012                        
• Fellowship of Royal Australasian College of Physicians, December 2011
• ECFMG Certification 2008  Los Angeles, USA.                                                                         
• MBBS Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (Hons) 2003, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka                                                                                

AWARDS

1. Basser Research Entry Scholarship from RACP foundation grants: 2017 January, for multicenter Randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing the diagnostic yield of Cryo-biopsy via Radial Endo-Bronchial Ultra-Sound (R-EBUS) guide sheath (GS) Vs. CT-guided transthoracic biopsy in patients with parenchymal pulmonary lesions. (CT-CROP). Grant amount 45,000 AUD.
2. Three-minute thesis challenge Concord Clinical Day 2016. Third Prize-winner for CT CROP multicenter study.
3. ASSER Trust grant funding (2015) for the multicentre RCT titled” Randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing the diagnostic yield of Cryo-biopsy via Radial Endo-Bronchial Ultra-Sound (R-EBUS) guide sheath (GS) Vs. CT-guided transthoracic biopsy in patients with parenchymal pulmonary lesions. (CT-CROP)”. This is an equipment grant of 39,450 NZD.
4. Koawetea Research fund seed grant (2014) for Feasibility study done to assess the use of cryo biopsy via radial EBUS in Middlemore Hospital. Funding 6000 NZD.
5. BoehringerIngelheim Travel grant for research in COPD – 2013 TSANZ (Darwin)This is an AUD 4500 prize was awarded to the best abstract submitted to TSANZ on COPD. The grant enables the candidate to present the same abstract at the CHEST conference 2013 (Chicago), by covering the cost of airfare, accommodation and registration fee for the conference.
6. CIRUS (Centre for integrating research and understanding of sleep) clinical research fellowship-2012 (Sydney)This is an AUD 30,000 grant given to pursue a one-year program of strongly mentored protected clinical research time is combined with limited clinical work and working towards a higher degree in sleep or respiratory research. 
7. Senior Registrar Award from Green lane Research Fund -2011 (Auckland)This is a NZD 3000 grant given to one senior registrar from the disciplines of cardiothoracic, cardiology and respiratory each year for their outstanding enthusiasm for research; enabling them to attend an international conference of their choice
8. Advanced Trainee Scheme Fellowship – from New Zealand Health Workforce -2011 (Auckland)This is a NZD 118,000 scholarship awarded in order to carry out further training overseas to up skill the trainee and bring back the expertise to New Zealand.This was offered for completing a fellowship in thoracic malignancy and interventional bronchoscopy at the McGill’s University/ Canada.

PUBLICATION AND PRESENTATIONS

PUBLICATIONS

1. Herath SC, Poole P. Prophylactic antibiotic therapy for COPD. JAMA. 2014; 311: 2225-2226
2. Herath S, Lewis Extra pulmonary Tuberculosis: Thinking beyond a normal CXR. Journal of primary health care 2013; 6 (1): 64-68.
3. Herath SC, Poole P. Prophylactic antibiotic therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 11. Art. No.: CD009764. DOI: 10.1002/14651858. CD009764.pub2.
4. Herath S, Lewis C, Nisbet M. Rhodococcus Equi pulmonary infection in an immunocompetent host: A case report and literature review in managing an uncommon condition. NZMJ 2013; 126 (1387): 165-174.
5. Prophylactic antibiotic treatment in COPD; preliminary data from a Cochrane systematic review. Respirology 2013; 18 (supplement 2): 1Herath S, Poole P.
6. Prophylactic antibiotic therapy for chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease   (COPD).Herath S, Poole P. Cochrane database of systematic reviews Issue 4, 2012.
7. Use of postictal respiratory pattern to discriminate between convulsive psychogenic non-epileptic seizures and generalised tonic-clonic seizures.Ian Rosemergy, Richard Frith, Samantha Herath, Elizabeth Walker. Epilepsy and behaviour 2013; 27:81-84.
8. Is walking barefoot a risk factor for diabetic foot disease in developing countries?Jayasinghe SA, Atukorala I, Gunethilleke B, Siriwardena V, Herath SC, De Abrew K. Rural and Remote Health 7 (online), 2007: 692.Available from: http://www.rrh.org.au

PRESENTATIONS

1. The addition of a cryo biopsy improves the diagnostic yield of radial EBUS sampling. Preliminary results from the CT CROP and Cryo feasibility studies.Herath S, Yap E, Low I. TSANZ 2016 (oral)
2. CPAP compliance among the socio-economically deprived South Auckland (NZ) population.Jaya Jose, Samantha Herath TSANZ 2016 (oral)
3. Needle aspiration using a 21G needle (eXcelon or WANG), via Radial EBUS guide sheath, gives better samples in comparison to cytology brush or forceps biopsies. A descriptive case series.(poster)Herath S, Low I. TSANZ 2016
4. Maintenance Cost of a Linear Endobronchial Ultrasound TBNA (EBUS TBNA) Service. Elaine Yap, Samantha Herath (poster). TSANZ 2015, Perth
5. Achieving auto-pleurodesis in loculated malignant pleural effusion by administration of tissue plasminogen activator and deoxy-ribonuclease via indwelling pleural catheter followed by aggressive drainage. Case report and literature review. (Poster) Jae Beom Hong, Samantha Herath. TSANZ 2016 Perth
6. Prophylactic antibiotics in COPD. A Cochrane systematic review. 2013.Herath S, Poole. (Oral) TSANZ 2013Darwin, Australia 2013.(This presentation was awarded the Boreingher Ingelheim Travel Grant for COPD)
7. Pulmonary involvement in patients presenting with extrapulmonary tuberculosis: Thinking beyond a normal CXR. (Oral) Herath S, Lewis C.RACP young investigators presentation, Auckland, New Zealand 2011.
8. Assessing lung cancer patients for surgical resection; all may not need cardio-pulmonary exercise testing (CPET)? (Poster) Herath S, Horwood F.World Lung Cancer Conference, Amsterdam, The Netherlands 2011
9. Rhodococcus equi pulmonary infection in an immune-competent host: a case report and literature review. (Poster) Herath S, Lewis C, Nisbet M.Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand Scientific Sessions.Perth, Australia 2011.
10. Evaluation of patients admitted under General Medicine; Has Clinical Judgment Being Taken Over by serial troponins? (Oral) Herath S, Spriggs D, Internal Medicine Society Australia New Zealand, Queensland Branch Meeting 2010-October.
11. Use of Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatoid Drug Usage in Rheumatoid arthritis in Sri Lanka (Oral) Herath S, Udugama DG, Fernandopulle.R.Lanka Medical Association annual academic sessions, Colombo, Sri Lanka 2005.
12. “Knowledge, Attitudes and skills of breastfeeding in mothers with newborn babies, in the Sri Lankan Tertiary Care setting. (Oral)Herath S, Udugama DG, Perera J.Sri Lanka Medical Association annual academic sessions, Colombo Sri Lanka 2004