Dilini completed her BSc in Immunology and Integrative Molecular Biology at the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka in 2017. Then she did her PhD (2018-2023) at the University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada looking at the population genetics of Southern Ocean seabirds including albatrosses, shags and gentoo penguins. Her research interest is mainly focused on using advanced molecular tools in the conservation of biodiversity. For her postdoctoral research at Queen's, she is developing new tools using environmental DNA to quantify the distribution of species at risk and invasive species, especially in aquatic ecosystems in Eastern Ontario.
