PEOPLE
Current Members
Aabeer Basu (Postdoctoral Researcher)
I did my PhD at IISER Mohali (Punjab) where I worked on the eco-immunology of lab adapted fly populations. My work focused on the physiological and evolutionary responses of Drosophila melanogaster flies when infected with various bacterial pathogens, and what factors – intrinsic and extrinsic – influence these responses. Before this, I completed my Masters in Human Disease Genetics from Centre for Human Genetics (Bangalore, Karnataka) and my Bachelors (Honours) in Microbiology from University of Calcutta (Kolkata, West Bengal). During my time at the MIRA Lab, I intend to explore co-evolutionary dynamics between bacteria and phages, and test if non-genetic phenotypic variability with in the host population, stemming from errors in the translation process, has any influence on how the host adapts to pathogens.
Sreya Mandal (Junior Research Fellow)
I received my Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Zoology, and Biotechnology from St Joseph’s College in Bengaluru. Currently, I am pursuing my Master’s in Biotechnology at the same institution. My research interests lie in using cell and molecular biology to study mutations in various model organisms, and I have the opportunity to investigate the adaptation of E. coli mutants in this laboratory. In my free time I like to unleash my inner baker and whip up some delicious treats. I also enjoy using my creative writing skills to pen the next great fantasy novel, or maybe just a grocery list. And when I’m not saving the world through science or practicing my culinary skills, you can catch me slaying dragons and saving the world in a game of Dungeons and Dragons.
Kushal Banerjee (Doctoral Researcher)
I have done my Bachelors and Masters in Biotechnology from Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh. I look forward to trying to decipher the effects of non-genetic changes and mistakes occurring during translation on evolutionarily critical cellular functions such as the expression of genes, kinds of mutations, and the development of stress resistance in bacterial systems. In my free time, I love to indulge in stories in all formats.
Harshit Arya (Junior Research Fellow)
I received my bachelor’s degree in Botany from Hansraj College, Delhi university, and my Master’s degree in research from JNCASR, Bangalore. My major research interests revolve around microbial genome maintenance and adaptation in various niches. Currently, my work focuses on understanding environmental AMR patterns and evolution in the Delhi NCR using molecular biology, microbiology and genomics-based approaches. I receive a substantial amount of joy from talking to people about science or teaching and training. Outside the lab, I can be found appreciating nature in various forms like rain, storms, and plants. If not gazing at a site, I am either cooking or playing mobile games.
Yagya Ghiya (Junior Research Fellow)
I am Yagya, an aspiring researcher and an avid reader always on the hunt for learning anything new. I am a Biotechnology undergraduate with a Masters in Medical genetics and genomics from the University of Glasgow in 2023. I am deeply interested in cancer genetics. Currently, I am learning and contributing to carrying out NGS sequencing for identifying environmental AMR, based from NCBS in Bengaluru.
Akshaya Pai (Undergraduate Intern)
I am an undergraduate student pursuing Biology and Chemistry at Ashoka University. My research interests revolve around genetic diseases. In my free time, I enjoy reading fiction and playing the western classical concert flute.
Past Members
