Get to Know HFC: Dr. Lathika Moragoda brings a love of science to the classroom
A love of science and a love of learning made teaching a good fit for Dr. Lathika Moragoda.
“I also admired a woman who was a great professor when I was an undergraduate student,” recalled Moragoda.
Moragoda has been teaching at HFC (then called Henry Ford Community College) since 2004, becoming full-time five years later. For the Fall 2026 semester, she is teaching:
“Dr. Lathika Moragoda teaches at the bookends of the biology department, from Introduction to Biology to Advanced Microbiology. She has served for many years on the Council of World Cultures and shares her expertise with students at special events throughout the year. She is a valued member of our faculty,” said Dean Janice Gilliland of the HFC School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
“I feel fortunate to be part of HFC”
The second of four, Moragoda was born in Sri Lanka and immigrated to the United States in 1988. She lives in Clinton Township with her husband, Saroj.
Moragoda, who speaks fluent Sinhalese, completed her high school education overseas. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology from the University of Sri Lanka and the University of Toledo. She later earned her doctoral degree from Iowa State University. Moragoda was a post-doctoral fellow at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD, and later a research associate specializing in cancer biology at the Wayne State University School of Medicine.
“Lathika was one of the first faculty members I met when I started at HFC,” said fellow HFC biology instructor Dr. Jolie Stepaniak. “It's great to have a colleague who is such a well-trained scientist and who brings a wealth of expertise to the College.”
Added Moragoda: “I feel fortunate to be part of HFC. I love the friendly and helpful atmosphere of the campus. Microbiology is my favorite class to teach. It’s very rewarding. I enjoy teaching our students, especially helping students from challenging backgrounds succeed. I enjoy being able to help students and equip them with the scientific knowledge they need to go into careers like nursing or medicine.”