Dr Ruvi is a clinical geneticist. She is dedicated to empowering individuals and families to use their genetic information as a powerful tool in their health journey. She is committed to ensuring every individual receives an accurate diagnosis, evidence-based management, and comprehensive support to optimise health outcomes across their lifetime.
Dr Samarasekera completed her genetics training across Sydney’s leading healthcare institutions, including Sydney Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital Westmead, Liverpool Hospital, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, and Prince of Wales Hospital. This diverse training foundation enables her to bring broad expertise and compassionate care to every consultation.
Dr Samarasekera has been entrusted with the role of Director of First Light Genetics, building upon the practice’s established foundation of patient-centred care and excellence. She is committed to maintaining the highest standards of care, ensuring seamless continuity of care for existing patients, and providing the same high standard of personalised genetics care to new families.
Dr Samarasekera’s clinical experience includes prenatal (before birth) genetic screening, childhood and adult genetic conditions, and cancer genetics. Her special interests are developmental and childhood-onset disorders, cardiac genetics, cancer genetics and pregnancy planning for couples.
Dr Samarasekera is committed to evidence-based practice, with research examining how genetic testing delivers clinical value to patients and guides medical management. Her academic work spans both the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network and cancer predisposition studies at the Children’s Cancer Institute.
Dr Samarasekera’s future directions include exploring artificial intelligence applications in genomics, balanced with a deep commitment to the essential human aspect of genetic medicine. She is committed to bridging the gap between complex genomic data and patient understanding, focusing on meaningful clinician-patient engagement that translates genetic information into clarity, support, and actionable health strategies.
Dr Samarasekera is passionate about mentoring and supporting future doctors. She has taught communication skills to medical students at the University of Sydney and the Pam Maclean Centre at Royal North Shore Hospital for many years.
Dr Ruvi is a member of the Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA), the Australasian Association of Clinical Geneticists (AACG) and a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (RACP).
When she’s not in the clinic or teaching, Ruvi channels her creativity into art and gardening, while cherishing the quiet and not-so-quiet moments with her young family.
