Nishith Gupta
Principal Investigator
Professor, Wellcome Trust - DBT Senior Fellow
Özlem Günay-Esiyok
Adjunct Faculty & IGSTC-WISER Fellow
Ute Distler
IGSTC-WISER Fellow
Research Scholars
Keith Henderson
M.Sc. Biochemistry, Bangalore University
Keith is interested in the neuronal determinants that influence Toxoplasma's ability to manipulate host cellular mechanisms, using advanced techniques such as CRISPR-based gene editing to identify critical host factors. In addition to his academic pursuits, he actively contributes to collaborative projects that bridge parasitology, molecular biology, and neuroscience to foster innovation in infectious disease research.
Namita Pandey
M.Sc. Biotechnology, GJUST Hisar, Haryana
(DST-INSPIRE Fellow)​
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She is interested in studying the making and breaking of lipids in Toxoplasma gondii. She finds the complexity of lipid molecules fascinating and her current projects focus on simplifying their signaling networks. In her spare time, she likes to paint and make crafty décor.
Md. M S. Mustafa
M.Sc. Human Disease Genetics, CHG, Bangalore
(CSIR-SRF)
His academic interests include Molecular Biology, extensively, the aspects of communication and signaling, and Bioinformatics. He previously worked as a JRF on Tumor Microenvironment at CHG before joining iPEARL. Currently, he has been exploring the molecular mechanisms and the functional relevance of non-coding RNAs (specifically miRNAs) in skeletal muscle infection by the Toxoplasma gondii.
Priyanka Chakravarti
M.Sc. Biotechnology, Sanskriti University, Mathura (DST-INSPIRE Fellow)
Parasites exhibit a peculiar property called metabolic plasticity, enabling them to switch between various food sources depending on availability. Drawing from her experience at the renowned research institute THSTI Faridabad, she is interested in finding the interplay between metabolic plasticity and epigenetic rewiring, making Toxoplasma gondii one of the most successful pathogens. Her hobbies are traveling, exploring new things, music, and reading novels.
Shreya Patra
M.Sc. Biochemistry, Bangalore University
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​Shreya has a background in Biochemistry and a strong interest in cell signalling. Currently, her work centres on optogenetic approaches to dissect phosphorylation-dependent signalling in Toxoplasma gondii. She aims to bridge parasite signalling mechanisms with clinical applications to advance therapeutic research. Beyond research, she completed junior grade Carnatic music vocal training and enjoys traveling, playing badminton, and learning new musical instruments.
Aditi Dey
M.Sc. Biotechnology, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune
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Sphingolipids are a class of complex lipids that are essential components of the plasma membrane of a cell. Her work involves studying the sphingolipid synthesis pathway and understanding its physiological significance in Toxoplasma gondii. She spends her leisure time reading books, listening to music and taking care of her plants.
Shivashish Mund
M.Sc. Microbiology, KIIT Bhubaneswar, Odisha
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His previous research work on Plasmodium sparked his interest in parasitology. His project focuses on elucidating various aspects of cyclic nucleotide signaling in the reversible stage differentiation of Toxoplasma gondii. He likes to watch movies, cricket, cooking and playing badminton.
Ramya Sri Poosala
M.Sc. Biotechnology, SP Women’s University, Tirupati (DBT-SRF)
Ramya is working on cAMP-mediated acute-chronic stage conversion in Toxoplasma gondii. Her work focuses on understanding the regulatory network of cAMP signaling including PKA phosphorylation events responsible for stress-mediated stage conversion of tachyzoite to bradyzoite using one of the most promising optogenetics tools. She enjoys working on handmade crafts and doing DIY projects.
Lakesh Kumar Sahoo
M.Sc. Molecular Microbiology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore
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He is fascinated by the enigmas of genome organization inside a cell and the changes it brings about in the metabolism. He aims to decode the metabolic control of the host-parasite interface. For fun, he likes to read fiction, play cricket, and stock marketing.
Devika P
M.Sc. Biochemistry, University of Hyderabad
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She aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying Toxoplasma gondii transmigration across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Apart from science, she finds solace in sketching mandalas and listening to music.​
Ankita Paul
M.Tech. Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida
With experience in both academic and corporate environments, she embarked on her PhD journey at iPEARL. Her research is centered around understanding how Toxoplasma gondii invades host cells, particularly its impact on signaling pathways and cytoskeletal dynamics during invasion. Besides research, she enjoys reading novels, cooking, and learning about different cultures through documentaries.​​
Vaibhav Jain
M.S. Neuroscience, M.Phill., NIMHANS Bangalore
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Vaibhav has a background in biophysics and neuroscience. His current research focuses on Toxoplasma-induced neurovascular alterations, with a particular emphasis on the neuroimmune axis and metabolic dysfunction. In addition to his research, he enjoys playing speed chess, where he ranks in the 96th percentile globally. He is also committed to teaching and science communication, striving to inspire others through scientific inquiry.​​
Rukhsar Aman
M.Sc. Microbiology, Central University of Punjab
She is interested in understanding shared molecular pathways in retinoblastoma and ocular toxoplasmosis. Her goal is to leverage these overlaps to design more effective, dual-purpose treatments. Outside the lab, she enjoys cooking, listening to music, and traveling.
Swaroop Peddiraju
M.Sc. Forensic Science, Amity University, Noida
Swaroop was trained in molecular biology at the Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad. He aims to unravel the molecular pathways in Toxoplasma gondii regulated by small molecules known as inositol phosphates. He is exploring how these pathways contribute to host-parasite crosstalk during infection. Outside of the lab, he likes discussing movies, playing badminton, photography, and learning chess.
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Aradhana Prusty
M.Sc. Microbiology, OUAT, Bhubaneswar
(BITS-RMIT Fellow)
She began her research career as a JRF at KIIT, working on malaria and developing a keen interest in parasitology. At iPEARL, she studies guanylate cyclase in Toxoplasma gondii to investigate host-parasite interactions and identify therapeutic targets. Outside the research, she enjoys painting, playing chess, reading, and learning from diverse fields beyond science.
Sushanta Chhatar
M.Sc. Life Science, Sambalpur University
Sushanta is trained in medicinal chemistry from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai. He aims to understand the diverse metabolic modules of Toxoplasma gondii and its intricate dependency on the host cell. Beyond his research, he loves traveling and playing chess, and has a deep interest in cinema and writing short stories.
International Scholars
Moli Rani
Ph.D. Scholar
(Bangladesh)
She is interested in understanding the evolutionary dynamics of Dihydrofolate Reductase (DHFR) enzyme in apicomplexan parasites. She enjoys reading novels in her free time.
Esack Fonda
Ph.D. Exchange
(Cameroon)
Esack's research focuses on the sexual-stage development and metabolic adaptation of T. gondii, aiming to uncover key regulatory mechanisms that drive parasite transmission and survival.
Industry Scholars
Srinivasa Purushottam
Ph.D., Part-time (Vimta Labs Ltd)
Srinivasa is serving as Deputy General Manager at Vimta Labs Ltd., with over 19 years of experience in in vitro cell-based bioassays. At iPEARL, he focuses on the evaluation of innate immune response against T. gondii infection using TLR-expressing engineered cell lines and human PBMCs.
Hanumanth Rao
Ph.D., Part-time (Vimta Labs Ltd)
Hanumanth is currently serving as a Manager (Biopharma-Biologics) at Vimta Labs Ltd., with over 16 years of experience in bioassay development, bioanalytics, and team leadership. His research at iPEARL focuses on Phosphodiesterases (TgPDEs) in Toxoplasma gondii and their impact on the parasite's egress and infectivity.
Venkatesh Natarajan
Ph.D., Part-time (Department of CS & IS)
With over 25 years of industry experience in software development, Venkatesh is now pursuing research in computational biology, focusing on predicting the function of hypothetical proteins in Toxoplasma gondii, specifically kinase activity. He is also expanding his work into protein function identification through protein folding and structural prediction.
Dibyajyoti Das
Ph.D., Part-time (SBP Consulting Pvt. Ltd)
Dibyajyoti works at the intersection of AI, network theory, and parasite biology, bringing over 15 years of experience as a scientist at TCS Research & Innovation. At iPEARL, he develops advanced AI frameworks combining protein language models and network inference to predict kinase-substrate interactions and map signaling pathways in apicomplexan parasites, aiming to advance computational approaches to combat parasitic diseases.
Departmental Associates
Geethanjali Jarugumalli
Technical Assistant
Ratnesh Kumar Srivastav
Senior Technical Officer
Alumni
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Pratibha Kumari (Postdoctoral Fellow)
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Alexandros Katelas (Ph.D. Exchange)
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Dina Salama (Ph.D. Exchange)
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Rosalba Cruz Miron (Postdoctoral Fellow)
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Venkateshwarlu Bandi (Postdoctoral Fellow)
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Dinesh Kumar (Postdoctoral Fellow) ​