GROUP MEMBERS
AMRUTHA SWAMINATHAN
Principal Investigator
I am a molecular biologist interested in understanding the mechanisms driving behaviour and disease. I schooled in Chennai, went to college in Mumbai, and did my Masters from Madurai Kamaraj University. My summers were spent in labs in research institutions like CDFD and IISc, where I did my first actual experiments. I joined JNCASR, Bangalore for my graduate studies as a CSIR-JRF. During my PhD, I worked on understanding the role of chromatin factors in neuronal differentiation and development. During this time, I collaborated with and worked in labs in France and Japan, funded by the Charpak Fellowship (now Raman-Charpak fellowship) and the Rhone-Alpes regional exchange fellowship.
After my PhD, I worked as an FRQS post-doctoral fellow in CRCHUM, Montreal, trying to understand the mechanisms driving diseases like epilepsy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using zebrafish models of these diseases. In my second post-doc at the Weizmann Institute of Science, I developed behavioural tools to identify resilient individuals from a population of zebrafish, followed by understanding the molecular factors controlling the behavioural differences.
When I am not in lab, I like to read, listen to classical music, spend time with family outdoors, hike, and cook.
GREESHMA S
PhD candidate
I graduated with an MSc in Biochemistry from School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala. I found the brain to be a fascinating organ since it acts as a central controller of the entire body and works better than a supercomputer. Given its importance, there is a need to understand and treat diseases that affect brain. This led me to join the Molecular Neurodevelopment Lab where I will explore more about neurodevelopmental disorders. Outside of the lab, I like to spend time with family, read literature and watch movies.
e-mail: greeshmas23@iisertvm.ac.in
VARTIKA SRIVASTAVA
Integrated PhD candidate
I hold a BSc (Hons) in Botany from Kalindi College, University of Delhi. My fascination with the natural world began at an early age, when I first delved into the fascinating realms of biology. The more I learned, the more I was amazed by the wonders of nature. My interest in understanding the mysteries of brain functioning deepened particularly after reading the book "Phantoms in the Brain." Beyond my research work, I find joy in various creative outlets. I love to sing, play guitar, paint, and cook. Setting and achieving goals is an integral part of my life, as I believe they keep me motivated and push me towards personal and professional growth.
e-mail: vartika8322@iisertvm.ac.in
DHIVIYA C V
PhD candidate
Growing up in a serene village, I developed a deep fascination with the natural world around me. This curiosity about life led me to pursue a postgraduate degree in Zoology. Along the way, I became captivated by the brain-its complexity and the way it coordinates so many functions intrigued me. This led me to join the Molecular Neurodevelopment Lab. Currently, my focus is on the molecular mechanisms that drives zebrafish behavior. I also enjoy gardening, stargazing, music and escaping into books and series.
e-mail: dhiviya25@iisertvm.ac.in
YUVARAJ M
PhD candidate
I completed my Master’s in Biotechnology at Bharathidasan University, where I developed a deep curiosity in field neuroscience the study of the brain, a complex organ that shapes who we are. I am particularly fascinated by how the brain develops, and how even small disruptions in this process can lead to neurological disorders. I joined the Molecular Neurodevelopmental Lab to explore the mechanisms behind developmental defects in the brain and to understand how they contribute to the onset of disease.
Outside the lab, I enjoy playing sports, reading books and watching movies.
e-mail: yuvaraj25@iisertvm.ac.in
PUSHPINDER SINGH
PhD candidate
I am a graduate student at IISER Thiruvananthapuram, where I also completed my Master’s in Biology. During my Master’s, I worked on various aspects of zebrafish behaviour, which gave me the opportunity to explore how changes in the brain can influence fish behaviour. Building on that experience, I decided to continue working with zebrafish for my PhD and am currently exploring questions related to neurodevelopmental disorders in the Molecular Neurodevelopment Lab. Outside the lab, I enjoy good conversations, trying different foods, exploring new places, and learning new things.
e-mail: pushpindersingh26@iisertvm.ac.in
Dr ATHIRA S S
DBT BioCARe Fellow
I received my PhD in Biological Sciences (Division of Toxicology) from SCTIMST, TVM, Kerala. My doctoral research focused on evaluating the biocompatibility of TiO₂ nanotubes using both in vitro and in vivo systems. As part of the SERB-Overseas Visiting Doctoral Fellowship (DST, Govt. Of India), I conducted collaborative research at the Toxicology Lab, School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, USA, where I worked on nanomaterial toxicity assessment in zebrafish. I completed my Master’s in Biochemistry from the School of Biosciences, MG University, Kerala. I did my Bachelor's in Industrial Microbiology & Biochemistry from Govt. College for Women, TVM, Kerala.
Driven by a strong interest in neurotoxicology and related research areas, I joined MNDL as a DBT BioCAre fellow. Outside the lab, I enjoy spending time with my family, listening to music, dancing, cooking, and exploring nature through Photography
e-mail: athirass@iisertvm.ac.in
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ARUNDHATHI INDU VALSARAJ
Major Project Student
From designing garden experiments and flipping through encyclopaedias, to spending hours watching nature documentaries, I sold my soul to biology at a very young age. Nothing inspired such wonder and curiosity in me as observing living organisms, thinking about what was happening in their bodies when they went about their lives. The most interesting connections to make were about how these complex organisms' perceptions and decisions boiled down to a series of tiny molecular relays. And how, when these molecular programs get disrupted, the whole organism's functioning is disrupted. I joined MNDL to follow up on this intersection, where we examine how the figurative mind meets the biological brain. Specifically, I work on unraveling individual variability, mainly in terms of stress resilience, and linking it back to variations in immune factors. With this work, I hope to identify immune markers which can predict individual responses to different stressors and treatments, helping us design more effective treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders. In my free time (if there is any), I enjoy having tea with friends, gossiping, reading, participating in quizzes, and engaging in various hobbies and crafts like beading, nail art and whatever else I remember that week.
MRINALINY S KURUP
Major Project Student
Having spent most of my childhood curious about the world around me, choosing to do science was the natural path ahead. Over the years, I’ve become increasingly curious about the highly regulated processes that shape brain development, and what happens when these mechanisms go awry. This fascination led me to the Molecular Neurodevelopment lab, where I do my small part in helping to unravel the mysteries of the brain. Currently I’m exploring how mutations in chromatin modifiers affect neurodevelopment and behaviour. Outside of work, you’ll find me dancing, painting, writing, or lost in a daydream.
NATASHA DANDOTIA
Major Project Student
I've always had a weirdly scattered set of interests (environmental science, microbiology, psychology), somehow all crammed into one undergrad degree, but instead of picking a lane, I kept chasing where they overlap. Turns out that overlap is basically neuroscience, it's biology, but also behaviour! That's what brought me to IISER TVM for my MSc, and it's exactly what drew me to MNDL: to understand how molecular mechanisms and behavioural outcomes play out, rather than just theorising about them.
Outside the lab, I'm almost always watching something. I like jumping across genres just to see what different shows are doing differently. Same with music, I'll try pretty much anything once. Also, I love trading recommendations (and opinions) on absolutely everything.
R SUBHASHREE
Major Project Student
I am a 5th-year BS-MS Biology student at IISER Thiruvananthapuram. I have always been fascinated by the workings of the brain and how connections among neurons can come together to create such complex circuitry. My interests lie at the intersection of developmental biology and neuroscience, and I look forward to uncovering the intricacies of these processes using zebrafish as a model organism.
Outside the lab, I love reading books, watching fun game shows and solving interesting puzzles.
SUVETHA V
Major Project Student
I am a fifth-year BS-MS student at IISER-TVM, with a longstanding fascination for neuroscience. What began as a childhood curiosity was rekindled when I started reading research papers and discovering the many unanswered questions in the field. I joined the Molecular Neurodevelopment Lab, where I am interested in understanding how molecular-level changes influence neuronal systems and ultimately shape behaviour.
Beyond science, I enjoy dancing, solving puzzles and getting lost in music.
ALUMNI
ALEENA KRISHNA S V
Major Project Student (2024-25)
Now at:
Tvaster Genkalp,
IIT Madras Research Park, Chennai,
India
SOUJATYA BANERJEE
MS by Research student (2025-26)
ANAGHA PRAKASH
Major Project student (2025-26)
Now at:
Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Germany
SAMYUKTA ANAND
Major Project student (2025-26)
K S NIRANJAN
Major Project student (2025-26)
Now at:
Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
YUKTHA NILE
Major Project student (2025-26)
Now at:
IISER Pune, India
ANAGHA MURALIDHARAN
Major Project student (2024-25)
Now at:
Charité-Universitätsmedizin,
Berlin, Germany
MINOR PROJECT STUDENTS
Gopika Santhosh, School of Chemistry (2026)
Shaktidhar V, School of Physics (2026)
Shahnaz, School of Biology (2025)
Sudeshna Mukherjee, School of Chemistry (2025)
Akshara M, School of Mathematics (2024)
Kannanunni R, School of Chemistry (2024)
INTERNS
Aashlesha Chavan, IISER Thiruvananthapuram
Aayush Manchalwar, IISER Pune
Akshat Manocha, IISER Thiruvananthapuram
Alfin John R, IISER Thiruvananthapuram
Anand Karthik, IISER Pune
Anika Patil, IISER Thiruvananthapuram
Arshia Kulshrestha, IISER Thiruvananthapuram
Kavya Charita, IISER Tirupati
Krishnendu R Kumar, IISER Thiruvananthapuram
Pearl, IISER Thiruvananthapuram
Sharmila Dhanapal, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
Shivam Baranwal, IISER Thiruvananthapuram
Shrayansh Tiwari, IISER Thiruvananthapuram
Sidharth Jagan, IISER Thiruvananthapuram