Prof. Wipula Bandara Yapa is a distinguished academic, ecologist, and institutional leader with over 30 years of experience in higher education, scientific research, and quality assurance. He has held prominent roles including Professor of Zoology and Director of Quality Assurance at the University of Colombo, where he spearheaded institutional and program reviews, shaped academic policy, and mentored both faculty and students.

His research encompasses behavioural ecology, taxonomy, conservation biology, acoustic communication and One Health approaches to emerging infectious diseases, with a particular emphasis on bat ecology and zoonotic pathogens. Currently, Prof. Yapa serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Science at SLTC and as Consultant Ecologist for the IDEANet Project at the University of Colombo collaborating with international partners such as the Robert Koch Institute in Germany.

He has been awarded numerous fellowships and research grants, supervised postgraduate scholars, and contributed significantly to national biodiversity assessments and conservation strategies. As a Chartered Biologist and former President of the Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka, Prof. Wipula Yapa continues to be a leading voice in ecological research and the advancement of tertiary education.