Embedded Files
Tracing a tiger from its kill
Mongabay India | July 2025
Slain livestock can now point to the tiger that killed them. A recent study used traces of DNA from livestock kills to individually identify tigers in the forests of Central India. It finds that many tigers prey on cattle, contrary to the prevalent notion that a few problem predators are involved.
Tiger deaths reveal conservation challenges
Mongabay India | July 2025
The recent deaths of five tigers by alleged poisoning in the Malai Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka, reveals gaps in wildlife protection and the challenges of conserving forests traversed by people and livestock.
IMSc Monthly Newsletter
IMSc Outreach | June 2025
In this edition, I cover a lecture series that celebrates the legacy of IMSc's founder, speak to two alumni who won awards for their thesis, and write a note about the resplendent purple-rumped sunbirds seen around campus.
Flying squirrel habitats predicted to tailspin under climate change
Mongabay India | June 2025
In the forests of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, there is an occasional rustling high up in the canopy. If it is a particularly lucky day, we may see a large furry rodent launch itself into the air, extending the webbing between its legs to glide downhill. This is a giant flying squirrel.
IMSc Monthly Newsletter
IMSc Outreach | May 2025
In this edition, I write about the molecular effects of UV rays, an event showcasing research and careers in maths, celebrating the inimitable Maryam Mirzakhani, review a book of essays on nature, and write a note about a tree that is speckled in gold every spring.
IMSc Monthly Newsletter
IMSc Outreach | April 2025
In this edition, I speak to institute visitors about algorithmic complexity and mathematical biology. I cover Boltzmann Day talks celebrating statistical physics and write a note on a notable campus con artist.
The long haul: Life in science with a chronic illness
Rukhmabai Initiatives | March 2025
“I think I do really well in a crisis situation, maybe the training as a field biologist helped,” says Kadambari Devarajan. She was diagnosed with cancer when she was set to leave for Kutch to study carnivores for her Master’s thesis.
A portrait of a scientist, as an administrator
Rukhmabai Initiatives | March 2025
Being a scientist starts with finding interesting questions to answer, planning and executing research, and teaching and mentoring students. But it does not end there.
She does more than stop and smell the flowers
Rukhmabai Initiatives | March 2025
“There is something very magical about these organisms that are rooted to one spot and have managed to change the history of the world several times over,” gushes Geetha Ramaswami.
IMSc Monthly Newsletter
IMSc Outreach | March 2025
In this edition, I write about petroleum derived pollutants, a collective of women mathematicians, reconstructing IMSc history through photographs and write an ode to a swooping hunter of the night.
IMSc Monthly Newsletter
IMSc Outreach | February 2025
In this special feature about IMSc's flagship public event - Science at the Sabha, I put on the editorial hat and worked with students of the Asian College of Journalism who covered the popular science talks.
IMSc Monthly Newsletter
IMSc Outreach | December 2024
In this edition, I write about the tiniest sub-units of matter, speak to Yakov Eliashberg about life and mathematics, and interview Mahendran, our tireless campus gardener. I profile a common campus bird, at home and abroad.
IMSc Monthly Newsletter
IMSc Outreach | October & November 2024
In this edition, I write about a new model to predict newborn weight and pay a tribute to an emeritus campus pet. I write about the flying foxes that hang out on campus and their important ecological role.
IMSc Monthly Newsletter
IMSc Outreach | September 2024
In this edition, I write about rare aggregation events, hidden connections in mathematics, the dazzling world of pulsars, and interview a regular campus visitor. I talk about two of my favourite campus residents - the rufous tree-pie and the magizham tree.
IMSc Monthly Newsletter
IMSc Outreach | August 2024
In this edition, I write about robots and homing pigeons, insights into actin dynamics, the institute Open Day, a meeting about an open-source maths software and the lovely jamun tree on campus.
IMSc Monthy Newsletter
IMSc Outreach | July 2024
In the inaugural edition of the newsletter I write about tunable robots, a blue print of the brain, algorithmic game theory, a workshop for school teachers, the IMSc reading club and the exotic cannonball tree on campus.
Shining a spotlight on academic integrity
IndiaBioscience | May 2024
Sabuj Bhattacharyya, Research Ethics and Integrity Officer at BRIC-inStem, speaks about the multiple facets of research ethics, the joys and challenges of teaching it, and building a more mindful research culture.
The hidden life of a tropical forest
SciTales CCMB | May 2022
It was the time of the year when the monsoon rains wash over the Western Ghats, brightening the green against an overcast sky and bringing a delicious crispness to the air.
When DNA speaks of nature
with Jahnavi Joshi
NDTV Gadgets | May 2021
DNA provides biological instructions that are inherited from one generation to the next. The ability to use this record of history stored in DNA is an essential part of a biologist's toolkit.
A deep dive into life in the ocean
translated in Hindi
Jigyasa | 2020
The vast oceans present a dizzying array of habitats ranging from exuberant coral reefs to formidable deep sea hydrothermal vents. They support some of the oldest and most unique life forms, which play a crucial role in regulating global climate and making the earth a habitable place.
An ecologist and a game designer walk into a forest
IndiaBioscience | May 2019
Mixed species bird flocks have been reported all around the world, and form the basis of a new card game called “Flocks!” developed by an unlikely duo.
Botanical Tree-Thinking: a card game to teach plant evolution
IndiaBioscience | January 2019
Plants and trees are deeply embedded in our view of the world and define the landscapes around us. About 515 million years ago, plants first appeared on land and changed the course of history.
A city through the eyes of nature
Current Conservation | March 2017
This year, one of Bangalore’s largest citizen protests incidentally followed the publication of Harini Nagendra’s book – ‘Nature in the City – Bengaluru in the Past, Present, and Future’...
Nature in the time of urbanization
CONNECT | December 2016
Harini Nagendra is Professor of Sustainability at Azim Premji University, Bangalore. She gave a plenary talk titled ‘Urbanization: A New Frontier for Conservation’ at the Student Conference in Conservation Science.
Centre for Ecological Sciences In-House symposium
with Vrushal Pendharkar
IndiaBioscience | February 2016
The annual symposium at CES is a platform for students and faculty alike to get together and exchange research ideas. The talks range from presenting of preliminary ideas and conceptual discussions, to showcasing completed research projects.
Thrashing out the trash problem
with Nisha Meenakshi
CONNECT | February 2016
As the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) grows, so does the waste it generates. A look at a new initiative that seeks to address this issue using a sustainable approach.
A bird’s eye view of resources for sustainable planning
CONNECT | August 2015
The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India established the Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya Geospatial Chair at the Department of Civil Engineering in the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to create awareness and encourage education and research in geospatial technology.
Keepers of the green
CONNECT | May 2015
The rusting gates stand in stark contrast to what greets the visitor next─a path lined by pink flowers. On the left are chandeliers of yellow fruit dropping down several feet from a fish-tail palm...
Using drones for conservation
CONNECT | November 2014
Lian Pin Koh, an ecologist at the University of Adelaide. Koh is spearheading an effort to use drones for wildlife conservation.
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