PhD students

Disha Acharya

Disha was raised in Baroda, Gujarat. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Zoology and her Master’s in Biotechnology from The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. She is currently pursuing research in cancer biology, with a focus on synthetic lethality involving p53. Beyond her academic work, she has a keen interest in gardening and painting pots.

Abhirami Muthu Kumar

Born and brought up in Tamil Nadu, she is a postgraduate in Zoology with experience in field-based research, particularly in taxonomy and entomology. She is currently working in cancer biology, focusing on Long Non-Coding RNA and molecular mechanisms involved in cancer metastasis. Beyond academics, she enjoys reading and writing, is actively involved in birding, animal rescue and rehabilitation, and has a deep interest in folklore and exploring diverse cuisines.

Chetan Chimmalagi

Born and brought up in Belagavi, Karnataka, Chetan obtained his 'Bachelor's in Science' from RLS Science Institute, Belagavi and his 'Master's in Life Sciences' from School of Life Science, BBAU University, Lucknow. Currently, he is investigating sex differences vulnerability to depression and Alzheimer's disease. Apart from science, he enjoys travelling, reading novels and exploring local cuisine

Shivani Malvankar

She is originally from Thane, Maharashtra, and completed her Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from VPM Bandodkar College of Science, University of Mumbai, followed by a Master’s in Biotechnology from AIIMS, New Delhi. She is currently working on understanding the role of DNA damage response in cancer progression. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, hiking, and cooking.  

Tithi bhowmick

  Tithi was born and raised in Nadia, West Bengal. She completed both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Microbiology from the University of Kalyani, Kalyani, West Bengal. Her current research focuses on neuron–astrocyte communication, particularly how these interactions are altered in conditions such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Beyond academics, she is a trained Kathak dancer, and music is one of her key interests.  

Shweta Yalshetti

Shweta holds a Bachelor’s degree in Genetics and a Master’s degree in Applied Genetics from Karnataka University, Dharwad. She is currently interested in exploring the mechanistic links between early life stress and the development of depression in adulthood, with a focus on understanding how these experiences shape brain function and behavior.

She enjoys being in the lab and engaging in debates and discussions. She loves photography, watching anime, and the arts, especially music and dance.

Sujal Sahu

Born and brought up in Assam, Sujal completed his Bachelor’s in Life Sciences from Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, followed by a Master’s in Biotechnology from Gauhati University. Currently, he is pursuing his PhD under Dr. Surya Pratap Singh in the Integrated Biophotonics Lab, BSBE Department, where his research focuses on advanced biophotonic approaches to understand biological systems at the molecular and single-cell level.

Udita Mishra

Udita hails from Nagpur, Maharashtra, and holds a B.Sc. from Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, and an M.Sc. in Biochemistry from the University of Hyderabad. Her research centers around bacterial second messengers and their role in regulating key survival pathways, with an emphasis on structural biology-driven approaches to address antimicrobial resistance. Beyond the laboratory, she enjoys reading, Yoga, gardening, baking and cooking, swimming, and traveling.

Vaishali Vasu

  Vaishali Vasu is from Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. She completed her B.Sc. in General Biology from SBK Government College, Jaisalmer, and her M.Sc. in Biotechnology from Lachoo Memorial College of Science and Technology, Jodhpur. She carried out her dissertation in cancer biology at the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, BHU Varanasi.

Currently, she is working on the molecular and behavioral consequences of early-life antidepressant exposure and its long-term effects on brain function.

Outside the lab, she enjoys playing badminton and carrom and sketching in her free time.

Renu Kamboj

Born and raised in Faridabad, Renu obtained her Bachelor's in Biotechnology from MDU, Rohtak, and her Master's in Biotechnology from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Currently, She is working on molecular mechanisms regulating reactive astrogliosis.

Apart from science, she enjoys music with long walks, watching Stand-up comedy, exploring food joints, and cooking.

Panchami Bhat

She is originally from Bhatkal, Uttara Kannada, and completed her Bachelor of Engineering in Biotechnology from Acharya Institute of Technology, Bangalore. She is currently engaged in research focused on understanding the role of innate immune receptors in modulating host responses during bacterial infections. In her free time, she enjoys playing outdoor sports, music, trekking and exploring nature.  

Anshika Trivedi

Anshika was raised in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Science from Isabella Thoburn College, Lucknow and her Master’s in Biochemistry from University of Lucknow. She is currently pursuing research in Vascular Biology with a focus on FIRE-induced Vascular Remodeling in Atherosclerosis. Beyond her academic work, she has a keen interest in photography and painting.

Aaditya Singh

Aaditya was born and raised in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, where he developed an early interest in the life sciences. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Gujarat University, followed by a Master’s in Biochemistry from The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.

His current research focuses on cancer biology, with a particular emphasis on exploiting synthetic lethality to identify potential therapeutic targets. He is especially interested in understanding how genetic vulnerabilities in cancer cells can be leveraged to develop more precise and effective treatment strategies.

Outside the lab, he enjoys travelling, gardening, reading, as well as stargazing and astrophotography, which provide a balance to his academic pursuits.

Anirudh Krishna Wadeyar

Anirudh is from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, and completed his B.Sc., M.Sc., and a Postgraduate Diploma in Bioinformatics at Shivaji University. His research focuses on bacterial signal transduction, particularly how bacteria respond to antibiotics, with an emphasis on PAS domains and histidine kinase regulation. His goal is to identify novel drug targets for next-generation antibiotics.

Outside academics, he enjoys swimming, playing football, and traveling.

Katyayani Bhise

Born in Satara, Maharashtra, Katyayani is a PhD scholar in the Integrated Bio-Photonics Lab at IIT Dharwad, under the supervision of Prof. Surya Pratap Singh. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) and a Master’s degree in Biotechnology from DAVV, Indore. Her research is focused on the application of Raman spectroscopy to investigate Metabolomics and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). Beyond her academic pursuits, Katyayani is a harmonium player and a passionate reader of ancient Indian literature. In her leisure time, she enjoys watching anime and firmly believes in the power of a good, hearty laugh.

Sankhadeep Das

Sankhadeep was raised in East Medinipur, West Bengal. He pursued both his B.Sc and M.Sc in Microbiology from the University of Kalyani. As part of his academic training, he completed his Master’s dissertation at CSIR–IICB, Kolkata (Dr. Shilpak Chatterjee' lab) 

He is currently working in the field of Tumor Immunology and Immunometabolism under the supervision of Dr. Sudhanshu Shukla. His research focuses on understanding the interplay between tumor progression, immune responses, and metabolic reprogramming, with the aim of uncovering mechanisms that could contribute to improved therapeutic strategies.

Beyond academics, he actively engages in cricket, table tennis, music and fabric art. Inspired by the artistic legacy of Satyajit Ray.

Ritam Dadhara

Ritam Dadhara is a PhD scholar at IIT Dharwad, working under the guidance of Dr. Surya Pratap Singh on Raman spectroscopy for biological applications. His research focuses on label-free, extraction-free lipid assessment and the integration of machine learning for microbial profiling. Originally from Nagaon, Assam, he holds a Bachelor’s in Biotechnology and a Master of Technology in Marine Biotechnology from Cochin University of Science and Technology. He enjoys exploring technology, music, and discussions on Machine Learning and AI.

Vishwanath Hiremath

A native of Dharwad, he is currently a Ph.D. scholar at IIT Dharwad, working under Dr. Surya Pratap Singh in the Integrated Biophotonics Lab.

He completed his M.Sc. in Biochemistry from Karnatak University, Dharwad (KUD), and his B.Sc. from BVVS, Bagalkote. His current research focuses on pharmaceutically relevant metabolites in algae, investigated at the single-cell level using Raman spectroscopy.

Beyond spectral acquisition and analysis, he maintains strong interests in physical fitness, cinema, trekking, nature exploration, and long rides.