Post Docs - Undergraduate Lecture Series Teachers 2024 | NCBS

Anindita Puri I am a protein biochemist who is intrigued by viruses hijacking their host, us. My interest in the feild is allowing me to further understand pathogenesis from both the host and pathogen's end. As a graduate student, I am learning multiple biophysical techniques, espicially NMR, that can been used in addressing biological questions. I am enthusiastic to mentor and teach and have been involved with mentoring UG and High School iGEM teams over the past two years. Over the weekends, you might find me in a pottery studio or an art gallery.
	Anubhav I am Anubhav, interested in genesis of shape and patterns in biological systems. Currently, I use experiments and theoretical modelling to integarte mechanics with biochemical cues and genetics to understand the development of epithelia. Outside the lab I love cooking and binge watching webseries.
Asha Mary Joseph I am a Molecular Microbiologist trying to understand how bacteria survive under diverse stresses in their natural environments. During my PhD at Indian Institute of Science I studied bacterial evolution under nutrient starvation. I moved to National Centre for Biological Sciences for my postdoctoral research, where I have been investigating molecular mechanisms that lead to mutagenesis in bacteria. My research has implications in understanding bacterial infections and development of antibiotic resistance.
	Ashutosh Ojha I am a member of the Breathing Neuroscience Laboratory, dedicated to unraveling the mysteries behind the generation and regulation of breathing. My focus lies in exploring the intricate information processing performed by the dendrites of neurons present in the breathing center of the brain, known as the pre-Bötzinger Complex. I employ a blend of experimental and theoretical approaches to answer my research questions. I have had a knack for teaching since my secondary high school days. Outside the lab—and sometimes even within its walls—I am an avid chess player and cinema connoisseur.
Atal Vats I am a molecular neuroscientist by training and my broad interest lies in understanding how communication happens across different scales in biology. Neuronal communication via synapses is one such process that piqued my interest in my PhD and I am trying to understand the biology underlying this. Beyond science, you can find me enjoying music, dancing (in parties only!) and sketching. I have been passionate about teaching since my undergrad days and have actively participated in such initiatives to spend my time outside of research.
	Chinmayee L M As an Electrical and Electronics Engineering graduate, I was drawn to neuroscience after learning about neurological disorders. My transition from engineering to neuroscience was facilitated by the interdisciplinary nature of the field. In Prof. Rishikesh Narayanan's lab at IISc, I gained valuable experience in computational modelling of neurons. During this time, my curiosities evolved into a strong interest in perception, which I now study at the sensory neuron level in insects under Prof. Sanjay Sane at NCBS. My engineering background has proven useful in electrophysiology for recording neuron responses. Aside from this, I'm fascinated by octopuses, philosophy and astronomy. In my free time I enjoy reading, music, sci-fi movies, travel, trekking, cooking, and long runs. Feel free to talk to me about your interests.
Dayani Chakravarthy I'm an ecologist who loves to spend my time wandering forests and savannas. In order to do so, I spend my time exploring different mechanisms that allow trees to grow as they do, and about the processes that affect the stucture and function of forests and savanna trees.
	Ankit Arora I am enthralled by big data in biology and medicine. During my PhD at University of Cologne, I have worked on effect of Transposable elements in genome evolution and its inference in various diseases. Currently at inStem, my research involve applying strategies from computational biology in stem cell and regenerative medicine using single cell approach.
Gauri Gharpure I am fascinated by the natural world in general, and specifically interested in how organisms survive in a dynamic world. I have a background in Zoology and Biotechnology from Fergussn College and Savitribai Phule Pune University. I am currently a doctoral student at NCBS where I am exploring how insect pollinators survive in the Himalayan mountains using tools from chemical ecology, neuroethology, physiology and micro-CT. I am also keen in communicating the science in a meaningful way to non-science folks, and have worked with organisations like Science Gallery Bengaluru and Nature Conservation Foundation among others in different capacities. I will be happy to discuss about any of the above things, so do get in touch!
	Girish Kumar G. S. I am a naturalist interested in all creatures great and small. Pokémon was perhaps the greatest inspiration during my childhood which drew me toward plants and animals. In Bangalore, rare though it is, there is a reserve forest right next to my school, which I spent a lot of time exploring. Taking great joy in the oddest of things that the forest could offer from tiny lantana fruits and self-burial grass seeds to scary spiders and mongooses. I continued this in high school and started butterfly watching during my bachelor's (I can still identify more Pokémons than butterflies, XD). In my master's, I got to study the visual pathway in bird brains, which then piqued my interest in neuroscience. I then decided to go down a path that combines the two of my interests, insects and neurobiology. Currently, I am a graduate student at the Insect Flight Lab, National Center for Biological Sciences, Bangalore working on a project where I study the jumping strategies across insects and study how they control their jumps.
Mitali Patil I am a microbiologist and a geneticist by training. During my bachelor's days, I took great joy in having protozoan pets and putting under the microscope everything I found at Mumbai beaches and monsoon puddles. Ironically, I spent two years surrounded by numerous Drosophila mutants but none of them inspired me to work with insects. One sunny day, a bunch of Dragonflies caught my eyes. They were hunting midges and doing some spectacular aerial maneuvers. Thanks to them, I ended up at the Insect Flight Lab at ncbs not having the slightest of idea about how much the insect world had to offer! In the lab, my broader goal is to understand how nocturnal insects navigate at extremely low light levels.
	Neelanjana Ray I have always been in awe of the dynamic nature of biology, and specifically developmental biology! Having done my bachelor’s and master’s degree in biological sciences and biotechnology, I chased my fascination for developmental biology in my doctoral research. Currently, I am working to understand how cells acquire different fates by communicating with their neighbour via various signalling pathways using inner ear as my system. Talking about communication, other than doing science, I have always had love for teaching and have participated in various outreach events over the years. When not in lab I can be found admiring sunset in the company of some good book!
Nivedita Mukherjee My interest in molecular biology and the omics sciences was piqued by some incredible teachers I had the fortune of learning from during my bachelor's and master’s courses in Life Sciences. Now, I combine these interests in my graduate research on cancer genomics and evolution, where I look for clues of natural selection within mutation patterns in cancer genes. Through my research, I am gaining skills in computer programming and statistics, besides expanding my understanding of cell biology, genetics and evolution. I am enthusiastic about teaching, having done so previously for courses on biostatistics, statistical genomics and scientific writing. Outside of academia, I nurture a passion for writing and music, and my free time is often devoted to travelling.
	Ron George Philip A doctor by training and currently a stem cell neurobiologist, I have always been driven by a passion for bridging the gap (or Chasm !) between science and medicine especially in India. Even though this might seem a tad bit unconventional now, I'm keen to recruit more and more students to this agenda and change the way we approach research in the country. I am fortunate to have found a project that lets me do so for my PhD. My current focus is on a genetic disorder called Lowe Syndrome, working closely with the patients as well as using their samples to generate stem cell-derived neurons to understand the mechanisms behind this disorder in-vitro. I believe research and science communication go hand-in-hand and I try to do this by writing for a science magazine and engaging in outreach activities to get the next generation excited!
Shuchita Soman I'm a neurochemist by training and now venturing into neuroethology. I have a few years of experience teaching at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels and thoroughly enjoy it. I am also a classical dancer and artist and spend my spare time engaging in these activities or reading.
	Sulu Mohan I'm curious about how our brains shape how we experience of the world around us and how different brain bugs modify that experience. During my PhD, I studied the computations that single cells in the brain perform while being integral components of larger networks and systems. My interests include neuroscience, dancing, seafood - in no particular order.