Principal Investigator
Dr. Shashank Tripathi
Shashank is an Associate Professor in the Microbiology & Cell Biology Department of the Indian Institute of Science. He was awarded Wellcome Trust India Alliance Intermediate fellowship in 2018 and joined IISc as Assistant Professor on January 1st, 2019. Earlier, he worked as Research Assistant Professor (2017–2018) and as a Post-Doctoral Researcher (2012–2016) in the Microbiology Department of Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. There he worked in world-renowned virologist Prof. Adolfo Garcia-Sastre’s lab, studying influenza A virus-host interactions at systems level and immune evasion and pathogenesis of Zika viruses. Dr. Tripathi did his PhD (2012) under the supervision of Dr. Sunil Lal in the Virology Group of International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, in collaboration with the Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta.
Lab Members
Postdoc
Dr. Rohan Narayan
Project Scientist II
PhD Pharmacy, Cardiff University (2015 – 2019)
A fulltime virologist and part time foodie, Rohan is usually admiring viruses draped in multicoloured fluorophores under a fancy microscope, or experimenting on trending food options.
Dr. Santhosh K.N
Assistant Investigator
PhD, Kuvempu University, Shivamogga
Santhosh is interested in assessing the efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates in animal models and mutation analysis of SARS CoV-2 isolates.On his free days, loves bike riding and explores different places.
Dr. Pranjal Kumar Yadav
Project Research Scientist I
PhD, DRDO-Defence Research & Development Establishment
A mountain soul with a cup of tea in hand, I draw inspiration from misty trails and spontaneous journeys. Exploring new landscapes fuels my curiosity. Professionally, I delve into infectious diseases and cellular systems, advancing molecular and immunological diagnostic assays, developing stem cell derived organoid models, and investigating the pathogenesis of KFD virus.
Integrated Ph.D
Mansi Sharma
Integrated PhD Student
B.Tech. (Biotechnology), University School of Biotechnology (USBT) – Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) , Delhi(2014-2018)
Mansi intends to explore the molecular basis of strain specific virulence and host tropism of Influenza A viruses, using a genome-wide CRISPR screening platform. She is a very fun loving person who is a die-hard fan of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. and if you like the show, you are already her favourite. Apart from lab, her Odissi dance classes cheer her the most.
Aditi Kanojia
Integrated PhD Student(PMRF Fellow)
B.Sc (Biomedical Sciences), Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences, University of Delhi
Aditi deals with Mosquito cells and Flaviviruses. Other than babysitting the Aedes cells and cloning vectors to deliver goodies in them, Aditi loves singing while strumming her ukulele and dancing to the rhythm of pop music.
Gourav
Integrated Ph.D. Student
Gourav is a virology student with an socially awkward manner. He loves Playing Cricket and Chess. He is currently working on Coronavirus Recombination. He has a Major interest in Viral Mimicry and host-directed antiviral therapy.
Misthi Khurana
Int. Ph.D. Student
B.Sc. Life Sciences – Hansraj College, University of Delhi
Mishthi is interested in studying the antiviral aspects of innate immunity, especially against the Influenza virus. When she’s not trying to uncover the deep secrets of virology, you can find her enjoying the world of dance and painting. With a training in Kathak and a love for classical art forms, she finds a rhythm in both immune signalling and footwork.
Ph.D
Shachee Swaraj
Ph.D Student (PMRF Fellow)
M.Sc (Zoology), Ranchi College, Ranchi
Shachee is investigating novel, broad spectrum, Interferon independent antiviral innate immune mechanisms against wide range of viruses. She plays around the 4 strings of Ukulele during her free days. She chooses her own tasty adventure in the kitchen and enjoys the aroma of baking cakes. She also likes grooving on the beats of bhangra and freestyle Bollywood.
Rajesh Yadav
PhD Student (In collaboration with Dr Rachit Agarwar, BE)
Masters in Biotechnology, IIT Bombay
Rajesh is interested to solve the unmet clinical need to develop universal influenza vaccine capable of conferring protection against both seasonal and newly emerging pre-pandemic strains. He aspires to be a research-inspired entrepreneur
Sumandeep Kaur
PhD Student (PMRF Fellow)
M.Sc Biotechnology, Punjab University, Chandigrah
Suman works on modulation of Innate immune pathway by Coronaviruses and Flaviviruses. If you don’t find her in lab, she will most definitely be at some tea point. She is found chasing sunshine and randomly strolling around places, a traveller in her own sense. She’s much into Greek mythology and with Athena’s blessings, she aspires to be Cloning-Goddess.
Rishad Shiraz
PhD Student(FICCI-PMRF Fellow)
BS-MS, IISER Bhopal
Lab interactome profile reveals Rishad could easily be pulled down with the lab workstation computer. In case your pull-down fails, just fluorescent tag his violin to live image him either on or off stage. Being a professional swimmer in past, anytime you find yourself drowning, he is the one to speed dial.
Paarth Bhatnagar
Ph.D. Student
M.Sc (Biological Sciences), IACS Kolkata.
Paarth’s research interests focus on host-directed antiviral therapy. A passionate Potterhead, he is rarely one to turn down a good discussion on science or history, especially when accompanied by a steaming cup of coffee, and balances his academic life with badminton and writing.
Bachelors and Masters Student
Rahul Chavan
UG, IISc Bengaluru
Rahul works on RNA viruses, currently building reverse genetics systems for Kyasanur Forest Disease Virus. He is fascinated by how tiny strands of RNA can outsmart entire immune systems and enjoys the thrill of making viruses from scratch (strictly in controlled lab conditions, of course). Outside the lab, he is deeply devoted to Carnatic music — if there’s a raga playing somewhere, he’s probably already there.
Lab Manager
Aishwarya M.E
Scientific Administrative Assistant
BCA , Amrutha College – Mangalore University(2017)
Lab Attendant
Sudarshan
Lab Attendant
Lab Alumni
- Dr. Oyahida Khatun, (PhD Student); Current Position: Postdoc at The Scripps Research Institute, California, USA
- Dr. Abinaya Kaliyappan (Project Scientist I); Current Position: NA
- Chinmayi V Bhat, (SRF); Current Position: PhD Student, University of Marburg, Germany
- Sushma Bhandarkar, (JRF); Current Position: Incoming PhD. Student, University of Melbourne, Australia
- Mannat Kaur Boonga, (M.Sc student); Current Position: Project Research Associate, CSIR IGIB, New Delhi
- Dharmesh Bisoria (Bioinformatician); Current Position: Project Assistant, CSIR NEIST, Jorhat
- Janvi Patel, (JRF); Current Position: PhD. Student, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) Navi Mumbai
- Dr. Joydeep Nag, (Postdoc); Current Position: Postdoc, Cleveland Clinic, Florida, USA
- Abhijith Biji, (BS-MS Student); Current Position: PhD. Student, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Sagar Dubey, (JRF); Current Position: PhD. Student, Australian National University
- Kushboo Jain, (Master’s Dissertation Student); Current Position: PhD. Student, Max Planck Institute, Germany
- Dr. Christy Margrat Joy, (Veterinary Pathologist); Current Position: NA
- Nilesh Deokate, (Research Assistant); Current Position: PhD Student, IIT Bombay
- Swarnima Pandey, (MSc. Project Trainee); Current Position: Research Scholar, CSIR-IMTECH
- Manisha, (MSc. Project Trainee); Current Position: NA
- Shivpriya Gaikwad, (MSc. Project Trainee); Current Position: Research Executive, Sun Pharma Advanced Research Company Ltd.
- Dr. Arpita Maity, (Post Doctoral Fellow, Mar-Dec 2019); Current Position: NA