Our Team | AFT | AFT for Kids & Elders
Meet the People Behind AFT

# Our Team

A dedicated group of leaders, volunteers, and partners united by a single mission — serving the children and elders of Sri Lanka with dignity and compassion.

AFT Kids & Elders is built on the passion and expertise of individuals from around the world — scientists, business leaders, educators, and community volunteers.
Together, we bring decades of experience in healthcare, finance, law, education, and social work to serve the communities of Kandy and beyond.

### Board of Directors

Our leadership resides and operates locally in Kandy, ensuring every initiative is culturally resonant and directly impactful.

View All Members

#### Dr. Sumith A. Kularatne, PhD

Founder, AFT Kids & Elders

Executive Vice President of R&D, On Target Laboratories

#### Timothy Biro, MBA, RPh

Board Member, AFT Kids & Elders

Chief Operating Officer, On Target Laboratories

#### Malaika Tyson, Ph.D., J.D.

Board Member, AFT Kids & Elders

Shareholder, McAndrews | Intellectual Property Strategist

### Dr. Sumith A. Kularatne, PhD

Executive Vice President of R&D, On Target Laboratories

Serial entrepreneur, scientist, and philanthropist with pioneering expertise in drug design and development. Leads precision medicine programs and image-guided surgery research.

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Areas of Expertise

Drug Design & Development Antibody-Drug Conjugates Small Molecule Therapeutics Precision Medicine

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Key Achievements

3
FDA Approved Drugs
8
Clinical Trials
250+
Patents
100+
Publications

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Education & Training

- • Postdoc: The Scripps Research Institute (Molecular Biology & Biomedicine) - Mentored by Dr. Peter G. Schultz
- • PhD: Purdue University (Medicinal/Organic Chemistry) - Mentored by Dr. Philip S. Low
- • Graduate Research: Purdue University

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Awards & Recognition

- 🏆 Outstanding Young Scientist Award in Drug Discovery Sciences (2023)
- 🏆 SBIR Grant Awards for NSCLC Research (2014, 2016, 2018)
- 🏆 Elevate Ventures Award for Image-Guided Surgery Research (2018)
- 🏆 AAPS Postdoctoral Fellow Award (2012)

#### Honorary Societies

Phi Kappa Phi National Society of Collegiate Scholars Beta Phi Upsilon

> "True progress is measured not only by scientific advancement, but by how we uplift those left behind."

— Dr. Sumith A. Kularatne

### Timothy Biro, MBA, RPh

Chief Operating Officer, On Target Laboratories

Entrepreneurial leader with extensive experience in medical device, pharmaceutical industry, and venture capital. Former Co-Founder and CEO of multiple companies.

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Areas of Expertise

Venture Capital Pharmaceutical Management Medical Devices Entrepreneurship

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Education & Training

- • MBA (Finance & Marketing) - Wharton School of Business
- • BS in Pharmacy - Temple University (Fellow)
- • BS in Microbiology - Pennsylvania State University

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Professional Experience

- ▹ Co-Founder & CEO - SpineMatrix
- ▹ Co-Founder & CEO - Therox Pharmaceuticals
- ▹ CEO - OncoImmune
- ▹ Founder & Managing Partner - Ohio Innovation Fund
- ▹ Partner - Reservoir Venture Partners
- ▹ Partner - Brantley Venture Partners
- ▹ Management Positions - Merck

### Malaika Tyson, Ph.D., J.D.

Shareholder, McAndrews | Intellectual Property Strategist

Corporate intellectual property and patent protection strategist. Specializes in integrated approaches to strategic IP management for innovative companies.

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Areas of Expertise

Patent Prosecution IP Portfolio Management Corporate IP Strategy Trademark Protection

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Education & Training

- • J.D. - The University of Chicago Law School
- • Ph.D. in Chemistry (Analytical) - Purdue University
- • Senior R&D Scientist - MilliporeSigma Biotechnology

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Leadership & Service

- • Chair - ABA-IPL International Patent Laws Committee
- • Co-Chair - AIPLA's USPTO Relations Subcommittee
- • Vice President (Chicago) - Coalition of Women's Initiatives in Law
- • Board Member - Chicago Committee
- • Founding Member - Emerging Leaders Council of Bottom Line

#### Honorary Societies

40 Under Forty (2016) Illinois Rising Star - Intellectual Property Law
Founding Chapter

## The Kandy Group

What began as a reunion among school friends evolved into something far greater. The 1992 graduating batch of Kingswood College, Kandy — scattered across the globe as engineers, doctors, scientists, and entrepreneurs — returned home with a shared purpose: to serve the community that shaped them.

Today, the 92 Batch forms the founding backbone of AFT Kids & Elders, contributing leadership, funding, and on‑ground presence to every program we run. Their commitment to lives on in every scholarship awarded, every elder visited, and every life transformed.

Meet the Full Kandy Group →
Local Leadership

## Kandy Officials

The dedicated team steering AFT’s mission in the Kandy region.

### Dr. Sumith A. Kularatne, PhD

President

Serial entrepreneur, scientist, and philanthropist. Executive VP at On Target Laboratories. Guiding AFT’s strategic vision.

### Mr. Mahinda Walisundara

Vice President

Experienced leader driving community outreach and strategic partnerships in Kandy.

### Mr. Darshana Hikkaduwa

Chief Operating Officer (COO) (Operations)

Oversees all operational aspects, ensuring efficient delivery of programs.

### Mr. Dulan Dissanayake

Chief Operating Officer (COO) (Marketing)

Leads branding, communications, and outreach strategies.

### Mr. Maduranga Aththanayaka

Treasurer

Manages financial stewardship, budgeting, and donor funds.

### Mr. Aruna Daswatta

Co-Treasurer

Assists in financial planning and compliance.

### Mr. Gayal Kaluwawa

Secretary

Coordinates governance, records, and internal communications.

### Ms. Lasanthi Daskon

Co-Secretary

Supports secretarial duties and community documentation.

### Mr. Kalana Amunupura

HR

Supports human resource duties and community documentation.

### Mr. Janaka Wijerathna

Assistant HR

Supports human resource duties and community documentation.

### Mr. Rajitha Samarakoon

Assistant Chief Operating Officer

Supports secretarial duties and community documentation.

Legal Counsel

## Legal Advisory Team

Dedicated legal professionals ensuring AFT operates with integrity and compliance.

### Mr. Ajith Pathirana

Legal Advisor

### Mr. Gayal Kaluwawa

Legal Advisor

### Mr. Shenal Gunathilaka

Legal Advisor

### Mr. Himasha Samarathunga

Legal Advisor

### Ms. Lasanthi Daskon

Legal Advisor

### Ms. Malaika Tyson

Legal Advisor (Intellectual Property)

### Mr. Priyantha Ekanayake

Legal Advisor

On the Ground

## Volunteers & Field Staff

The heart of AFT — dedicated individuals working directly with children and elders every day.

👩‍🏫

### Priyani Perera

Education Coordinator

Oversees scholarship distribution and after‑school tutoring programs across 12 villages.

👨‍⚕️

### Dr. Chamila Rathnayake

Health Program Lead

Volunteer physician running mobile health clinics for elders in remote communities.

🏏

### Nuwan Dissanayake

Sports Coordinator

Former cricketer leading youth sports programs and coaching clinics.

🤝

### Samanthi Weerasinghe

Elder Care Coordinator

Leads the weekly elder visitation program and community integration events.

Global Supporters

## International Volunteers

Passionate individuals from around the world who have traveled to Kandy to serve.

🇺🇸

### Sarah & Mike Thompson

New York, USA

"We came to Sri Lanka as tourists and left as family. Teaching English at the AFT learning center was the highlight of our journey."

🇬🇧

### James Whitmore

London, UK

"I spent three weeks helping with elder care visits. The gratitude I received changed my perspective on what matters in life."

🇦🇺

### Priya Sharma

Melbourne, Australia

"As a Sri Lankan diaspora, volunteering with AFT allowed me to reconnect with my heritage while giving back to my motherland."

Strategic Guidance

## Advisory Council

Experts providing strategic counsel on program development, partnerships, and impact measurement.

🎓

### Prof. Amara Hewage

University of Peradeniya

Education policy specialist advising on scholarship and mentorship programs.

🏥

### Dr. Nihal Fernando

Consultant Oncologist

Advisor on health programs and future cancer care initiatives.

Become Part of Our Story

## Join Our Team

Whether you're in Sri Lanka or abroad, your skills and compassion can make a difference. From volunteering on the ground to supporting remotely, there's a place for you in the AFT family.

Volunteer with Us → Contact Our Team