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
SOUJATYA BANERJEE
Integrated PhD candidate
I am an Integrated MS(R)-PhD Student at IISER TVM. I earned my B.Sc. in Microbiology from Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Centenary College, West Bengal. I have always been curious about the brain, the only organ that studies itself. Thus, my interest in Neuroscience comes naturally. The human brain is a complex structure with billions of neurons and trillions of synaptic connections. This intricate network generates our thoughts, emotions, movements, and behaviours, whose complexity makes it a fascinating subject of study. It, however, also highlights the challenge of understanding its workings and malfunctions. The precise balance of excitation and inhibition within this neuronal network is essential for normal brain function. In epilepsy, this delicate balance can be disrupted, leading to excessive neuronal excitability and the occurrence of seizures. Here, I work on epilepsy, the role of epigenetic factors, and chromatin remodellers in the disease. Outside the lab, I love to travel, listen to music, watch movies and read books.
ANAGHA MURALIDHARAN
Major Project student
I am a 5th year BSMS student at IISER pursuing my major in Biological Sciences. My interest in the zebrafish model arose during an internship in the summer of 2023 at NCBS, Bangalore. Since joining the Molecular Neurodevelopment lab, I have developed a keen interest in the behavioural project and am a part of setting it up in the new lab. I am especially interested in developing new assays to investigate the behaviour of zebrafish.
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I am also a member of Proteus, the Biology Club of IISER Thiruvananthapuram, and am involved in the club’s outreach activities. I also enjoy Carnatic and Hindustani music in my free time.
ALEENA KRISHNA
Major Project Student
I am a BSMS fifth-year student currently working on my major project in the Molecular Neurodevelopment lab. My interest in working with zebrafish started during my neuroscience practicals. The fact that the developmental stages of zebrafish are transparent, setting them apart from other model organisms is fascinating. I have a keen interest in looking into neurodegenerative disorders, and I am also curious about regeneration. Outside the lab, I watch movies and web series, preferably thrillers and horror, and I love to dance. I also enjoy visiting places with my family and friends.
e-mail: aleenakrishnasv20@iisertvm.ac.in
PUSHPINDER SINGH
Major Project Student
I am a final-year M.Sc. Biological Sciences student at IISER-TVM. My initial fascination with molecular biology evolved into a deep interest in neuroscience after exposure to the field through various scientific talks and completing a summer internship with the Cellular Neurobiology group at IISER Mohali. I am now part of the Molecular Neurodevelopment Lab, where we use zebrafish to study neurodevelopmental disorders and behavior. Currently, I'm studying the behavioral and molecular impacts of early-life epileptic seizures in zebrafish. Outside the lab, I enjoy painting, exploring new foods, watching movies and traveling.
e-mail: pushpindersingh23@iisertvm.ac.in
ANAGHA PRAKASH
BS-MS intern
I am a fourth-year BS-MS student currently exploring the social behavior of zebrafish, blending my fascination with neuroscience and animal behavior. Over the years, I’ve developed a deep passion for behavioral neuroscience, along with a strong interest in computational biology, machine learning, and deep learning, which I aim to leverage to streamline research and uncover research insights. Outside of science, you’ll find me dancing, quilling, or lost in a good book. I also love spending time with loved ones and binge-watching sitcoms to unwind.
e-mail: anaghaprakash21@iisertvm.ac.in
K S NIRANJAN
BS-MS intern
I am currently a fourth-year BS-MS Biology student at IISER Thiruvananthapuram, driven by a profound fascination with molecular biology and its capacity to unravel the complexities of life at the molecular level. I joined the molecular neurodevelopmental lab in August 2024, hoping to discover and understand the molecular players associated with neurodevelopmental disorders.
Apart from science, I enjoy travelling, playing and watching football and reading crime thrillers.
e-mail: ksniranjan21@iisertvm.ac.in
SAMYUKTA ANAND
BS-MS intern
Having grown up fascinated by the world around me, finding myself curious about how our body works was not a huge leap. Neuroscience is a vast field of a myriad unknowns, and I want to help unravel the secrets of its inner workings. I joined the lab looking forward to working with zebrafish and discovering more about neurodevelopmental disorders.
Outside academia, I enjoy reading and cooking up stories for a D&D campaign that will never happen, writing poetry, and quizzing.
e-mail: samyuktaa21@iisertvm.ac.in
MINOR PROJECT STUDENTS
Akshara, School of Mathematics (2024)
Kannanunni, School of Chemistry (2024)
INTERNS
Shivam Baranwal, IISER Thiruvananthapuram
Kavya Charita, IISER Tirupati
Aayush Manchalwar, IISER Pune
Anand Karthik, IISER Pune