I’m an evolutionary ecologist who spends a lot of time thinking about one big question: why does life look the way it does, and how does it keep changing under all the stochasticity?

I study how organisms adapt (or fail to adapt) to rapidly changing environments—whether that’s biodiversity loss, new stressors, or the quirky coping mechanisms species invent to survive. My work zooms in and out across scales: from entire host communities, to individual organisms, to the invisible microbial passengers that live with them. Modern sequencing has shown us that microbes aren’t just background noise—they’re co-pilots in evolution, shaping and being shaped by their hosts. That’s where my research lives: at the messy, fascinating intersection of ecology, evolution, and microbiomes.

I use a mix of classical eco-evolutionary approaches and experiments with both wild and lab-reared insect populations to trace these biotic interactions. In short: I’m trying to figure out how life rewrites its own playbook when the rules of the game keep changing.

Now, confession time: I’m not your stereotypical natural history buff. I don’t have a brain full of Latin names, and my memory for species lists is… let’s just say “selectively terrible.” But I’ve always been mesmerized by the sheer diversity of life. Somewhere along the way, I realized that if I could crack the code of what drives this diversity, maybe—just maybe—I’d finally feel like I belong among the “real” natural history pros. That little flicker of imposter syndrome has been my unlikely compass, nudging me deeper into the science of ecology and evolution—and I’ve been hooked ever since.

So if you’re into the grand puzzle of life, microbes with hidden agendas, or just want to know how crickets and their microbial sidekicks handle stress better than most of us, you’re in the right place.

I have been profoundly interested in the conflict between ‘human-based activity and wildlife’ since my early days. Since I started as a PhD student in "the evolutionary- ecology lab," I have learned about bioacoustics, a field that captivated my heart and mind as I explored the intricate symphonies of sound produced by living organisms. I am developing a project to investigate the 'impact of anthropogenic noise on acoustic communications and its evolutionary consequences' utilizing Orthopterans, particularly crickets, as a model system to combine my ever-growing and ever-present interests. I'm also interested in figuring out if this human-generated noise can influence the dynamics of the Ensiferan community of a habitat. In addition, I have a plethora of ideas related to my field of interest that I hope to pursue someday. I am a football nut and am totally in love with Lionel Messi and the Barcelona football club. However, I also enjoy doing nothing occasionally, as usual for Bengalis.  

Academic Credentials: Graduation - Zoology (Hons.) from Visva-Bharati University.

                                     Post Graduation: Master's in Zoology from Visva-Bharati University (Special paper- Ecology).

Contact:                                                                                                                                                                                    

Email: souradeep.dutta@niser.ac.in 

Twitter: @SouradeepD33963 

Phone: +91-7908158511

Awards:  1. Received ‘The Theodore J. Cohn Research Fund’ in 2024.

               2. Received ‘Wildlife acoustics research grant’ in 2024.

Hello, I’m Srijanee Mitra. I joined EEL@NISER in January 2024 as a PhD student. I’m passionate about ecology, evolution, and animal behaviour. My primary focus of research is on the evolutionary origins of gut microbial assemblages in a tree cricket Genus Oecanthus and the invasion biology of a plant Hyptis suaveolens. I'm also interested in bioacoustics - after all, Ensiferans master that domain, too! Outside of academia, I enjoy birdwatching and singing, and I find cooking and listening to music to be great ways to relieve stress.

Contact

Email: srijanee.mitra@niser.ac.in 

I am a PhD scholar and UGC JRF Fellow, joined in January 2024. My research interests revolve around community dynamics, and I am currently looking into the species distribution and modelling in Orthopterans. Previously, I was involved in assessing faunal diversity in the mangrove ecosystem, a project funded by the Kerala Forest Department, at the Kerala Forest Research Institute. Through my research, I aim to contribute to the understanding of ecological patterns and biodiversity conservation.

Email: dilshad.k@niser.ac.in 

Hello! My name is Soumyadeep Sarkar, and I had joined at EEL@NISER on August, 2025 to pursue Ph.D. My research interests are deeply rooted in understanding the natural world, as I believe that a deeper comprehension of natural systems offers valuable insights into our own existence and our place within them.

My primary research focus is on the alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs) of orthopterans, specifically exploring the behaviors of baffling and aggregation, and their evolutionary significance. I am also keen on studying the acoustics of other Ensiferans.

Beyond my academic pursuits, I have a strong passion for books, music, arts, and films. I enjoy writing in my leisure time, primarily in Bengali. I occasionally watch football and am particularly moved by the song lyric, "Ulta karke dekh sake to ambar vi hay gahari khai," which continually reminds me of the boundless potential of human imagination.

Contact:

E-mail: soumyadeep.s@niser.ac.in 

Phone: +91-8926429753

Hi! I am Asha Pallujam, a Postdoctoral Fellow at EVO-ECO Lab. My research journey has largely revolved around one tiny but surprisingly complicated world – the honey bee gut. During my PhD, I explored how microbial communities vary across different host species and gut compartments, and how these microbial communities interact with their hosts. I’m excited to continue investigating how hosts and their microbes interact from an ecological and evolutionary perspective.

Outside the lab, I love travelling and exploring new places, especially when there is some nature involved. I can spend an unreasonable amount of time overthinking very small things, while simultaneously being completely capable of making spontaneous decisions. 

Email: ashadevipallujam@niser.ac.in

I am interested in exploring how anthropogenic factors like artificial light at night (ALAN) and noise act as selection pressures, influencing traits and behaviour in acoustically communicating organisms. My research will focus on understanding these changes and their effects on populations over time. By incorporating ecologically relevant methods, I aim to bridge the gap between lab findings and real-world applications, contributing to both scientific progress and conservation. 

I'm a keen observer and enjoy spending time outdoors, trying to decode the intricate patterns and behaviours of the natural world. I watch movies or read books in my leisure time, enjoying solitude.

Email: siddharth.s@niser.ac.in 

I am an Integrated MSc student with research interests in eco-evolutionary feedbacks, stochasticity in biological systems, and theoretical approaches to understanding the agents that drive evolution and ecological dynamics.

My current work focuses on the spectrum of mate choice—both as a consequence of and a driving force behind population characteristics. I aim to identify the conditions under which different forms of mate choice evolve and how these dynamics shape population outcomes over time.

When I’m not busy reducing complex systems to dangerously simple models, I enjoy playing basketball, reading, and nerding out about coffee.

I, Rasheek Ahammed, am a master's student at NISER, with an interest in field ecology. Currently, looking into population dynamics and species diversity, aiming to study the species richness and abundance of the Ensiferan community on campus.

Alongside this, I am also trying to understand the brown morph of katydids, which occasionally pops up within the green morphs.

Besides being a night walker, I enjoy playing football and watching football (#YWNA)

Email: rasheekahammed.k@niser.ac.in