Nishith Gupta
Principal Investigator
Professor, Wellcome Trust - DBT Senior Fellow
Geethanjali Jarugumalli
Lab Manager
Master of Science in Microbiology
Ratnesh Kumar Srivastav
Group Coordinator
Ph.D., Hannover Medical School, Germany
Dr. Ratnesh is responsible for coordinating various research activities of an international team at iPEARL, which uses Toxoplasma gondii as a model organism to study multiple facets of host-pathogen interactions. The research facility boasts cutting-edge imaging technologies, optogenetics, high-throughput screening, parasite culture, and genetic manipulations. Research scholars receive comprehensive training both at iPEARL and through collaborations in labs across India and abroad. If you're interested in collaborating or learning more, please contact Dr. Ratnesh at ratnesh@hyderabad.bits-pilani.ac.in.
Dinesh Kumar
Post Doctoral Fellow
Dinesh completed his doctoral research in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics at the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre, Gandhinagar. He now works as a Postdoctoral Fellow on a DST-Core Research Grant Project. His research focuses on AMR, infection biology, genomics, and computational biology to address global health challenges.
Kranthi Gadidasu
Research Scientist
Kranthi earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from Kakatiya University, Warangal and subsequently postdoctoral training in Guangzhou, China. He brings his extensive global research experience from esteemed institutions in India and abroad.
Research Scholars
Lakesh Kumar Sahoo
Masters in Molecular Microbiology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore
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, playing cricket and stock marketing.
Devika P
Masters in Biochemistry, Hyderabad Central University
She is interested in unravelling the molecular intricacies of blood-brain barrier dysfunction upon Toxoplasma infection. Apart from science, she finds solace in sketching mandalas and listening to music.
Keith Henderson
Masters in Biochemistry, The Oxford College of Science, Bangalore
Keith wants to investigate the factors involved in the development of neuronal cells and how it is affected in the wake of Toxoplasma infection. Outside of the lab, he enjoys playing football and listening to music.
Namita Pandey
Masters in Biotechnology, GJUST Hisar, Haryana
(DST-INSPIRE Fellow)
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.
Swaroop Peddiraju
Masters in Forensic Science- DNA Fingerprinting, Amity University, Noida
Swaroop was trained in molecular biology at the Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad.
He aims to understand the molecular pathways inside Toxoplasma gondii which are governed by small molecules called Inositol Phosphates. He is also trying to understand how these pathways are involved in the host-parasite crosstalk during infection. Outside of the lab, he likes discussing movies, playing badminton, photography, and learning chess.
Mohammad Mustafa
Masters in Human Disease Genetics, Centre for Human Genetics (CHG), Bengaluru
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 in March 2021. 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
Masters in Biotechnology, Sanskriti University, Mathura (DST-INSPIRE Fellow)
Parasites exhibit a peculiar property called metabolic plasticity which enables them to switch between various kinds of food sources depending on their availability. Drawing from her research experience at the renowned THSTI in Faridabad, she is interested in finding the interplay between metabolic plasticity and epigenetic rewiring which makes Toxoplasma one of the most successful pathogens. Her hobbies are travelling, exploring new things, music and reading novels.
Rolly Kumari
Masters in Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad Central University
She is interested in throwing light on the metabolic flexibility of the Toxoplasma gondii which enables it to harness energy from different carbon sources. She uses fluorescence-based tools to study the molecular levels of regulation involved in the process. She likes to explore places and food.
Aditi Dey
Masters in Biotechnology, Symbiosis School of Biological Sciences, Pune
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
Masters in Microbiology, KIIT Bhubaneswar, Odisha
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
Masters in Biotechnology, SP Women’s University, Tirupati (DBT-JRF)
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.
Vaibhav Jain
Masters in Neuroscience, M.Phill., NIMHANS Bangalore
Vaibhav has a background in bioengineering and neuroscience. His current research is centred on Toxoplasma-induced neurovascular alterations, with a particular focus on the neuroimmune axis and inflammation. In addition to his research, he enjoys playing speed chess, where he ranks in the 96th percentile globally. He is also deeply committed to teaching and science communication, striving to inspire others in the field of scientific inquiry.
Ankita Paul
M.Tech. Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida
International Scholars
Alumni Scholars
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Venkateshwarlu Bandi (Postdoctoral Fellow)
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Rosalba Cruz Miron (Postdoctoral Fellow)
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Vartika Singh (Junior Research Fellow)
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Dina Salama (Doctoral Exchange Scholar)