Nilmini Wickramasinghe group

OPTUS Chair - Digital Health

We research in various aspects of digital health with a particular focus on designing, developing and deploying suitable models, strategies and techniques grounded in various management principles to facilitate the implementation and adoption of technology solutions in particular AI to effect superior, value-based patient centric care delivery.

Research Areas

Digital twins in healthcare are dynamic, data-driven virtual representations of patients, organs, or clinical systems that integrate real-time data with computational models to simulate physiological processes and disease progression. They enable personalized, predictive, and adaptive care by allowing clinicians to test interventions, optimize treatments, and anticipate outcomes in a risk-free virtual environment. We strive to develop digital twins for various healthcare contexts including cancer, dementia, cardiac issues, audiology and optical problems and IVF.

The Temi robot in healthcare is an AI-powered mobile assistant that combines autonomous navigation, voice interaction, and telepresence to support clinical workflows and patient engagement. It enhances care delivery by enabling remote consultations, automating routine tasks, and improving communication between patients, clinicians, and care teams. We are working on incorporating the temi robot into aged care contexts to address key concerns with dementia suffered.

IoT and sensor technologies in healthcare connect medical devices, wearables, and environmental monitors to continuously capture real-time patient and system data across clinical and home settings. This interconnected sensing infrastructure enables proactive, data-driven care by supporting early detection, remote monitoring, and timely clinical decision-making. One key project is our smart bathroom.

Mobile phones and tablets in healthcare serve as accessible, user-friendly platforms that empower patients to actively manage their health through apps for tracking symptoms, medications, lifestyle behaviors, and care plans. They support self-management by enabling real-time feedback, personalized guidance, and seamless communication with care teams, fostering greater engagement and adherence to treatment. Currently key areas include diabetes, asthma and cardiac issues.

Meet the team

Group leader

  • Professor Nilmini Wickramasinghe

Postdoctoral researchers

  • Dr Nadeem Shuakat
  • Dr Nalika Ulapane
  • Dr Zaid Sako

PhD researchers

  • Ayesha Nilashini
  • Ziad Sako
  • Ranjan Dissanakayke

Other researchers

  • Adjunct Professor John Zelcer

Patents

US Patent: System and Method for Managing A Form Completion Process. Serial No. 13/644, 310.

Publications

See a full list of publications on: