Baskar Bakthavachalu

I began my journey as a cell and molecular biologist, earning my Ph.D. from the National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune, followed by postdoctoral research at The Ohio State University, Columbus, USA, where I focused on RNA regulation in cultured cells. As a campus fellow at the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore, I explored RNA regulatory processes using an in vivo Drosophila insect model. I later established my research group as a Senior Scientist at the Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS), Centre at inStem, Bangalore, before transitioning to IIT Mandi as an Assistant Professor. Currently, I serve as an Associate Professor at the School of Biosciences and Bioengineering at IIT Mandi.

Vanshika Saxena

PhD Student (2021-TPD)

I am a PMRF Ph.D. Scholar in Baskar Lab at Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi, since August 2021. I obtained Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from Invertis University and a Master of Engineering in Biotechnology from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science. I am interested in studying how RNA virus overcomes cellular stress and how they utilize host cell machinery for their own benefit.

Omkar Koppaka

PhD Student (2021-TPD)

My B.Sc. and M.Sc. degree in Biotechnology was awarded at Mumbai University. I worked as a JRF at IIT Bombay and as a Research Assistant at MGM IHS, Navi Mumbai. I joined Baskar Lab as a Ph.D. student at IIT Mandi in August 2021. Currently, I am working on the Ataxin-2 translation control mechanism. In my free time, I can be found singing, tinkering on my guitar, sketching.

Akash Kumaran

PhD Student (2022-TPD)

I completed my Bachelor’s in Biotechnology at Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering, Chennai, and my Master’s in Bioprocess Technology at the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai. I joined Baskar's lab at the Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi as a PMRF Ph.D. student in August 2022. My areas of interest include Cell and Molecular biology. I like singing and playing guitar and am currently in love with Biriyani.

Aparna Bharadwaj

PhD Student (2023-TPD)

I Completed my Bachelor's degree in zoology from Guru Nanak Dev University, Punjab, then awarded with Master’s degree from the Central University of Himachal Pradesh in Computational biology and Bioinformatics. I joined Baskar lab as a PhD Scholar in February 2023. Here I am interested in studying protein domains in RNA binding proteins and cellular pathways that determine stress granule dynamics.

Richa Joshi

PhD Student (2023-TPD)

I did an Integrated M.Sc. in Biochemistry from Central University of Rajasthan. I joined Basker’s Lab as a Ph.D. scholar in February 2023. Here I am engaged in studying the structural-functional analysis of insecticide action and resistance. Outside of the lab and research, I enjoy hiking and creating illustrations. 

Shiva Kumar

M.Tech Research Student (2023-TPD)

I have completed my B.Sc. (Hons.) Biotechnology from SHUATS, Allahabad. I joined Baskar's lab at the Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi as an M.tech Research scholar in August 2023. My area of interest is Molecular biology. 

Shweta Tandon

Postdoctoral Fellow (2023-TPD)

I joined the lab in September 2023 as a postdoctoral fellow. I completed my Ph.D. from the University of Delhi South Campus. My areas of interest include genetics and neuroscience. For my Ph.D., I studied the role of insulin signaling pathways in human polyglutamine disorders. I am interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration, especially the role of RNA-binding proteins in such pathogenesis. My hobbies include reading classics, fantasy fiction and popular science novels.

Nitish Rawat

Postdoctoral Fellow (2024-TPD)

I joined the lab in November 2024 as a postdoctoral fellow. I completed my Ph.D. from the University of Delhi South Campus. 

Khushboo Agrawal, 

Khushboo was a Ph.D. Student in the lab from  2019-2024. She is currently working at inStem, Bangalore. 

Divij M Kinger

Divij worked as a Research Assistant (2018-2020) in my lab at TIGS. He moved to Sankalp Molecular Labs, Bangalore as a Lab Supervisor. He is currently an entrepreneur-in-residence at Vision Health Pioneers, Berlin building MilkyV.

Shweta Yadav

Shweta was a postdoctoral fellow in the lab from 2019-2021. She moved to Mayo Clinic, USA as postdoctoral fellow.

Shrigouri Patil

Shrigouri was a Research Assistant in the lab from 2019-2021. She moved to CrisprBits Private Ltd as a Research Scientist. 

Kandi Arvind Reddy

Arvind worked in the lab in different capacities (Intern, Research Assistant, and Research Associate) from 2019-2022. He has moved to  Frankfurt University to pursue his Master's and Ph.D degrees. 

Anjana Prasad

Anjana worked as an intern and Research Assistant in the lab from 2019-2022. She moved to Prof. Christian Kost's lab at Osnabrück University for her Ph.D.