Meet the team
Meet the team
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Sandhya Ganesan
Assistant Professor and DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance Intermediate Fellow
Dr. Sandhya Ganesan gained a strong foundational knowledge and interest in biotechnology through her undergraduate studies at the Centre for Biotechnology, Anna University. She obtained her PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School in 2014. Her doctoral training under the guidance of Drs. Kate Fitzgerald and Neal Silverman focused on understanding how mammalian innate immune pathways sense and respond to pathogens. In particular, she investigated the detection of pathogens by pattern-recognition receptors, activation of multi-protein complexes called inflammasomes and secretion of the soluble cytokine, Interleukin-1β (IL-1β). This work mapped out the pathway that connects recognition of the fungal pathogen, Candida albicans and its cell wall components by the receptors Dectin-1 and Complement Receptor 3 (CR3) with the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, caspases 1 and -8 leading to IL-1β production (Ganesan et al. J Immunol 2014, Tomalka et al. PLoS Pathog 2011, Hise et al. Cell Host Microbe 2009). To understand the infection process from a pathogen-perspective, her postdoctoral work in Dr. Craig Roy’s lab at Yale University, focused on human defense mechanisms against pathogens that employ sophisticated mechanisms to adapt to the intracellular environment of host cells. Using a siRNA-based screening approach and the model bacterial pathogen, Coxiella burnetii that replicates uniquely in lysosomal organelles, they identified that restriction of intracellular C. burnetii requires the host factors Indoleamine Dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) and Syntaxin 11 (STX11) induced by IFNγ signaling pathway (Ganesan and Roy. PLoS Pathog. 2019 and manuscript in preparation). As an independent investigator, she envisions her group to identify the molecular mechanism underlying STX11 function and other novel host and pathogenic factors that influence the outcome of an infection.
Professional recognition:
Professional recognition:
- Member of the Editorial Board for the journal Infection and Immunity (IAI)
- Milstein Abstract Award, Cytokines meeting 2021 (2021)
- American Association of Immunologists (AAI) Trainee Abstract Award- IMMUNOLOGY2020TM (2020)
- Invited seminar, registration and travel funding for Gordon Research Seminars, Microbial Toxins and Pathogenicity, Waterville Valley, USA (2018)
- 2016-present Peer-Reviewer for Bio-protocol, Infection and Immunity, Clinical and Vaccine Immunology,
PHD SCHOLARS
Mullai V R (March 2022 onwards)
Mullai V R (March 2022 onwards)
3rd-year Graduate Scholar (DBT-JRF Fellow)
Contact: mullaivr22@iisertvm.ac.in
Mullai completed her Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai and did M.Sc. Agriculture in Plant Biotechnology at Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur. She loves to draw and read novels. She also enjoys traveling and trying new hobbies.
P V Arun Prasanth (January 2023 onwards)
P V Arun Prasanth (January 2023 onwards)
2nd-year Graduate Scholar (CSIR-JRF Fellow)
Contact: arun23@iisertvm.ac.in
Arun completed his B.Sc in zoology from Loyola College, Chennai and did M.Sc. Biochemistry from Hyderabad Central University, Hyderabad. As an introvert, he is accompanied by fantasy novels as his friend and is recently addicted to K-dramas. He is passionate about Immunology research and is mainly focused on autoimmunity. At Host-pathogen Interaction Lab, he is exploring intracellular pathogens manipulation in cells.
Amrita Bhattacharya (January 2023 onwards)
Amrita Bhattacharya (January 2023 onwards)
2nd-year Graduate Scholar (DBT-JRF Fellow)
Contact: amrita23@iisertvm.ac.in
Amrita completed her Bachelor's and Master's in Chemistry from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. She finds it fascinating how microbes not only find ways to evade our immune system but also develop resistance to antibiotics.
When not in the lab, Amrita loves dancing, travelling and baking. She also really likes to doodle.
Hrithik Kumar (August 2023 onwards)
Hrithik Kumar (August 2023 onwards)
2nd-year Graduate Scholar
Contact: hrithikkumar23@iisertvm.ac.in
Hrithik rejoined the lab for his PhD after completing the Master's degree in Biological Science from IISER Thiruvananthapuram, July 2023. His interest in research ignited during his undergraduate courses at Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi. He enjoys keeping busy and being productive. His long-term goal is to pursue an academic position and lead his own research lab.
For him, balancing the centrifuge tubes is more important than balancing life!
Junior Research Fellow
Sayanthana Benny
Sayanthana Benny
BS-MS Biology Major Graduate
Contact: sayanthana19@iisertvm.ac.in
Sayanthana is an aspiring biologist who is extremely fond of trying out exotic and unusual things. She is currently navigating through different aspects of immunology, hoping to find the right one for her.
MAJOR PROJECT STUDENT
Roshin Nazeer
Roshin Nazeer
5th-year BS-MS Biology Major
Contact: nazrosh20@iisertvm.ac.in
Roshin is interested in using both traditional tests and computational biology to develop a cure for the various ailments brought on by microbes. As someone who has lived most of his life in the Middle East, he constantly compares the cultural differences and the diversity of diseases.
Bhavyalakshmi
Bhavyalakshmi
5th-year BS-MS Biology Major
Contact: bhavyalakshmi20@iisertvm.ac.in
Bhavyalakshmi is interested in human physiology and is currently exploring various research areas within immunology. Alongside her passion for science, she finds joy in expressing herself through singing and drawing.
Ann Mary Alappat
Ann Mary Alappat
5th-year BS-MS Biology Major
Contact: ann20@iisertvm.ac.in
Ann has a passion for exploring the intricate mechanisms of the immune system and is seeking a good start. She enjoys reading, dancing and watching shows.
Simna Pavithran
Simna Pavithran
5th-year BS-MS Biology Major
Contact: simnapavithrank20@iisertvm.ac.in
Simna has an interest in immunology and a curiosity to unravel the complexities of the immune system. Her focus lies in studying cellular interactions and exploring diverse aspects of immunological responses. She finds joy in listening to music and watching movies.
INTEGRATED-PHD STUDENT
Anuraag Avadhany
Anuraag Avadhany
3rd Year IPhD Biological Science
Contact: aavadhany22@iisertvm.ac.in
Anuraag pursued his B.Sc in Microbiology at St. Joseph's College. He has an interest in antimicrobial resistance and phage therapy. He hopes to lead the battle against AMR with phages in the future.
Academics apart, he is an avid birder and an aspiring polyglot.
Nisha Singh
Nisha Singh
2nd Year IPhD Biological Science
Contact: nishasingh23@iisertvm.ac.in
Nisha graduated with a Bachelor's in Biomedical Science from Shaheed Rajguru College, University of Delhi, in 2023. Her time there sparked a profound interest in the intricate dynamics of pathogenesis and immunology. Driven by her passion for research, she is poised to make meaningful contributions to the ever-evolving landscape of science.
Beyond the lab, she delights in watching sitcoms, exploring new experiences, and savoring diverse cuisines.
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