Education

2007 Ph.D., Statistics University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
2002 M.Sc., Biostatistics Center for Statistics, Limburgs Universitair Centrum, University of Hasselt, Belgium
2001 M.Sc., Applied statistics Center for Statistics, Limburgs Universitair Centrum, University of Hasselt, Belgium
2000 M.Sc., Applied statistics Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
1997 B.Sc., Statistics, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

Professional Roles

Professional Roles:

  • Graduate Student Committees (2010-2020).
  • Data and Safety Monitoring Board-CIHR Grant (2011-2016)- “Teens Taking Charge: An Internet-based Self-management Program for Adolescents with Arthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. PI: Dr. Jennifer Stinson, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto.
  • Accreditation Committee-Statistical Society of Canada (2012 June-2015 May).
  • Reviewer for scientific journals (2010-2020)-by request

Areas of Interest

  • Multivariate Poisson Hidden Markov Models/Multivariate Data analysis
  • Applied Linear Models
  • Hidden Markov Models
  • Statistical Modeling of Longitudinal Data
  • Missing Observations in Longitudinal Studies

Research Grants: Co-applicant/ Collaborator

i. Collaborator for the grant application “CIHR Team in Linking Exercise, Physical Activity and Pathophysiology in Childhood Arthritis: A Canadian Collaborative   Team (LEAP)” CIHR Grant No: # 217534. Principal Investigator: Dr. Ciarán Duffy. 2010-2015. $2,500,000

ii. Collaborator for the grant “Saskatchewan Rural Health Study”, CIHR grant- Principal Investigators: Drs. JA Dosman, P Pahwa, J. Gordon. 2010-2016. $1,693,779

iii. Co-applicant for the grant “Vitamin D Deficiency in Saskatchewan Children: Factors Influencing Occurrence and Response to Therapy”, Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan- Principal Investigator: Dr. Alan Rosenberg. 2010-2012. $140,000

iv. Co-applicant for the grant “Assess, Redress, Re-assess: Addressing Disparities in Respiratory Health among First Nations People”, CIHR grant- Principal Investigators: Drs. JA Dosman, P Pahwa, S Abonyi, and J Episkenew. 2012-2017. $1,592,521

v. Co-applicant for the grant “The Nature of Nursing Practice in Rural and Remote Canada II”, Health Canada Grant (Health care policy contribution program)- Principal Investigators: Drs. Martha L. Macleod, Judith C Kulig Norma J. Stewart and Roger Pitblado. 2012-2014. $496,000

vi. Co-applicant for the grant “Nursing Practice in Rural and Remote Canada II”, CIHR grant- Principal Investigators: Drs. Martha L. Macleod, Judith C Kulig and Norma J. Stewart. 2013-2016. $611,966

vii. Co-investigator for the grant “An International Research Initiative to Reduce Indoor Biomass Fuel Exposure and Enhance Respiratory Health in Rural India”, Indo-Canadian Shastri Institute. SHASTRI PARTNERSHIP SEED GRANT (SPSG) 2014-15. Principal investigator: Punam Pahwa.From 2014-10-01 to 2015-03-15. $5000.

viii. Co-investigator for the grant “An International Research Initiative to Reduce Biomass Fuel Exposure and Enhance Respiratory Health in Rural India”, Office of the Vice-President Research, U of S. Research Acceleration Program (RAP). Principal investigator: Bonnie Janzen. From 2014-04 to 2015-01. $7000.

ix. Collaborator for the grant “Māmawōhkamātowin (Working Together) – Enhancing Health & Wellness”, Canadian Institutes of Health research (CIHR). CIHR Catalyst Grant. Principal investigator: Vivian Ramsden. From 2017-03-30 to 2018-03-29. $150,000 CAD

x. Co-investigator for the grant “Disparities in Respiratory Health among First Nations People: Assess, Redress, Re-assess. Sharing Knowledge & Experience, Revealing Priorities & Direction”, Canadian Institutes of Health research (CIHR). Principal investigator: Sylvia Abonyi. From 2017-05-01 to 2018-03-31. $19,122 CAD

xi. Co-applicant for the grant “Assess, Redress, Re-assess: Addressing Disparities in Sleep Health among First Nations People”, CIHR grant- Principal Investigators: Drs. JA Dosman, P Pahwa, S Abonyi, and M King. 2018-2023. $1,250,775 CAD

xii. Co-applicant for the 2018 College of Medicine Research Award (CoMRAD). 2018-2020. Principal Investigators: Dr. P. Pahwa,  $ 19,320 CAD.

xiii. Co-applicant for the grant “mamawohkamatowin: working together to understand housing and COVID-19 in a Saskatchewan First Nation Community”, Canadian Institutes of Health research (CIHR). CIHR Operating Grant. Principal investigator: Shelley Kirychuk. From 2022-01-01 to 2022-12-31. $ 272,415 CAD

xiv. Co-applicant for the grant “Assess, Redress, Re-assess: Addressing Disparities in House, Home and Mental Health among First Nations People”, CIHR grant- Principal Investigators: Drs. JA Dosman, P Pahwa, S Abonyi,  M King, M Baetz, S Kirychuk. 2022-2027. $1,399,950 CAD

Publications

Other Skills and Interests

Computer Skills 

Chandima has the experience and sound knowledge to work on the following software packages:

  • Statistical Packages:
    • SAS, SPSS, MINITAB, EPI-INFO, S-PLUS, R, STATA
  • Other:
    • MICROSOFT EXCEL, MS WORD, POWER POINT.