Learning through work and play
Original thinking is worth the pain,
The devil is in the details, my friend.
'Small but thorough', putting all of it together...
'Healthy' competition just makes it better.
Three cheers for Scientific Rigor and Ethic,
Equality and Fairness, aren't they simply basic ?
Science and Art deliver 'Creativity'...
Wonders galore, let's grab the opportunity!

Swati Agarwala: DBT-Research Associate. Genomics data scientist with experience in NGS analyses. Obtained her Ph.D. degree from the University of Mysore, India in collaboration with the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysore, India. Knowing the unknown and exploring the least unexplored areas through research questions from inception keeps her excited. Outside the laboratory, she is a fundraiser, facilitator, and programme strategist for institutionalized children; loves to explore traditional crafts and cuisines and is obsessed with fruits and ice-creams. In Mitra Lab, Swati contributes in genomics studies and learning to FLY with Drosophila melanogaster.

Yoshita Sriramkumar: PhD candidate. An early interest in Biology took shape and formulated into a B.E Biotechnology degree from BMS College of Engineering, Bengaluru. Moved to pursue research at Ashoka University as a Junior Research Fellow in a Circadian rhythm lab and currently pursuing her PhD research in Mitra Lab. The project primarily focuses on identifying links between mitochondrial dynamics and circadian/diurnal rhythms in Drosophila and its implications on cellular physiology. While in the lab or otherwise, she loves to listen to music and is a Carnatic vocalist. Also trained in Bharatanatyam and Indian contemporary dance forms, she enjoys and appreciates art forms of all kinds.

Mayank Saini: PhD candidate (DBT). Broad interest in disease-oriented research, particularly in cancer and aging. After clearing national eligibility tests he joined the the Mitralab, where he is trying to unravel the mystery of the underlying mitochondrial biology in process of senescence and cancer. Apart from science, he loves outdoor sports, road trips, spending time with friends and occasional cooking (Of course, he is a big-time foodie!)

Bharti Golacha: PhD candidate (DBT). Broadly interested in immune signaling and immunotherapies. In the Mitra lab, she wants to look into how immune signaling is affected by mitochondria and vice versa in Drosophila. Currently, two of the most important things in her life are chai and fly. After the lab (don't even try to find her) you can find her either in the sports complex or in a dance room.

Adheesh Ghosh (alumnus, now at UCL MS program): ASP scholar. Interested in cancer biology from a wide range of approaches, from molecular and cellular biology to evolution and epidemiology. He has joined Mitralab as part of a collaborative project focusing on translational research into breast cancer. Academics aside, he enjoys quizzing, playing Dungeons and Dragons, and finding new places to eat at with friends. (He also loves animals and used to have pet guinea pigs!)

Niyati Gadepalli (alumnus, now at NCBS PhD program): : MSc Thesis. Holds a BSc. (Hons) in Biology from Azim Premji University. She is broadly interested in stem cell biology, and is working towards understanding the role of mitochondria in regulating ribosomal genes and RNPs in stem cells. She is pursuing her dissertation in collaboration with Dr. Dasaradhi Palakodeti at InStem, Bangalore. Outside the lab, she is an avid reader, and loves all things food. You can either find her with her nose in a book, or cooking up a storm in the kitchen, with Taylor Swift playing in the background.

Sukriti Maity, MSc Thesis: Sukriti is broadly interested in protein-protein interactions and how they maintain their specificity in the noisy cytoplasm. He is currently continuing to chase how Cyclin E localizes to the mitochondria, a central question of interest from his master’s thesis. Beyond the lab, Sukriti is fascinated with reading detective stories and watching crime investigation documentaries. Down the line as his love for research flourishes, he aims to become “the detective” of his own research questions soon!

Akshara Kulkarni (alumnus, now at Oxford MS Program): ASP scholar. She’s broadly interested in discerning cellular processes particularly in the realm of immunity and disease. She is currently working on a thesis that aims to characterize and analyze mitochondrial structure and function in senescent cells. Outside of academics, she enjoys evenings spent painting and watching sports with a cup of tea by her side.

Nihar Saxenna (ASP Scholar). Nihar is deeply interested in the pathology of age-related and neurodegenerative disorders. He is currently working on a thesis investigating mitochondria-mediated neurogenesis in Parkinson's Disorder. In his free time, he can be found at the volleyball court or at the gym. He also likes to play the guitar and loves to socialise over a cup of tea!

Madhavan Jayakrishnan (ASP Scholar). He is broadly interested in the cellular basis of diseases and their mechanics. He is currently working on a thesis that aims to study the effect of hyperglycaemia on mitochondria structure-function dynamics in germline stem cells in Drosophila. Outside academics, he enjoys diving into audio production and sound design, long-distance runs and watching any movie.