Raj has done B-tech Biotechnology from IASE University, Rajasthan. Later he joined NIPGR, JNU, in Delhi for 4 years. He joined NCCS in 2018 and is working as an assistant lab technician. He helps students maintain lab stocks, make fly food, and place purchase orders for lab requirements.  He likes to play cricket and travel

Radhika did her Bachelor's in Microbiology from Fergusson College, Pune, and Master's in Microbiology from Abasaheb Garware College, Pune. She briefly worked in CSIR-NCL, Pune towards developing a biopesticide. She joined the lab in 2018 and is investigating nutrient-specific memories in flies. She has been instrumental in developing a simple setup that is useful in assaying memories in flies. She likes stories and in her free time reads fiction. She is also figuring out entertaining ways to communicate science to a general audience.

Manik has done his BSc in Biotechnology from Modern College, affiliated with Savitribai Phule Pune University. He also has a Masters's degree in Biotechnology from Tezpur Central University, Assam. He has joined the lab in 2018 and he is studying the neural circuitry involved in the regulation of high-calorie-diet feeding. To measure feeding in flies he has developed a sensitive feeding assay which the lab is extensively using for all sorts of screens. Apart from science, he enjoys motorcycling, trekking, sketching, and watching Netflix.

After completing her bachelor's in science at the MGS, University of Bikaner, Prerana pursued a Master’s degree in Zoology at MSJ College, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur. She also completed her Bachelor's in Education in 2015. She then worked as a zoology lecturer at Maharshi Arvind college, Alwar. She joined the lab in 2019. She investigates the neural circuit basis of toxins-induced emesis using drosophila as a model organism. Along with Manik, she has also contributed significantly towards the development of the lab's favorite feeding assay.

Rashmi did her Bachelor's in Zoology from Kannur University and Master’s in zoology from Central University of Kerala. She was studying the natural history and taxonomy of eels during her master’s program. She worked at IISER, Pune and CDFD, Hyderabad as a part of SRPF by IASc. She joined the lab in 2019 and is currently focusing on developing behavioral assays to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying malaise-induced learning in Drosophila. She loves music and journaling. She spends her leisure time traveling.

Bhavna has done her bachelor's and master's from Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra. She worked as a Junior Research Fellow with Dr. Shubha Tole at TIFR, Mumbai for a little over a year in developmental neuroscience. Thereafter, she joined this lab as a Ph.D. scholar in 2020. She is funded by the CSIR-UGC scholarship. Her work here revolves around understanding how the immune system activity in the brain can regulate feeding and metabolism. She is fun to be around and remains discreet about her hobbies.

Anindyo pursued his bachelor's in life sciences from Hansraj College, University of Delhi, and then completed his master's in biotechnology from Banaras Hindu University. He joined the lab in 2023 and is trying to understand the implications of a possible cross-talk between insulin signalling pathway and dopaminergic neuron activity in flies. He is interested in behavioral sciences and psychology. In his free time, he enjoys listening to audiobooks, watching football, and exploring the depths of Spotify and Reddit.

Tanzeel has done his bachelor's from Monad University and master's from Department of Biotechnology, Bhimtal. He worked as a Junior Research Fellow with Dr. Basavaraj Sajjanar at IVRI, Bareilly for a little over a year in epigenetics. Thereafter, he joined this lab as a Ph.D. scholar in 2023. He is funded by the CSIR-UGC scholarship. His work here revolves around understanding how different classes of fatty acids are perceived by the gut and then communicated to the brain. Apart from science, he is a cinephile, loves to travel and is an avid gamer as well as a reader.

Suhas finished his B.Tech in Biotechnology from PES University, Bengaluru. He later worked as a JRF in genomics at IBAB, Bengaluru. Using fly as a model, Suhas is interested in navigating through the post-ingestive sensing mechanism of tastants via a cargo-delivery based systems. Often, he tries to code his way into analyzing fly behavior and is interested in everything surrounding neuroscience. He derives great joy in watching movies, reading books, and mainly listening to music.

Srushti is a final year B.Tech bioengineering student from Vellore Institute of Technology. She has joined our lab for her dissertation project, delving into the role of innate immune response genes in the brain for managing desiccation-related stress. Srushti is not just about research—she's also deeply passionate about sports, dancing, and reading. 

Vaikhari recently completed her M.Sc. in Biotechnology from the Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, University of Pune. During her master’s thesis in the Deshmukh lab at UNC Chapel Hill, she worked on quantifying the levels of microRNA-29 in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease. In our lab, she is currently working on analysing distress behaviours in fruit flies post-toxin perception. Apart from science, she is also a passionate classical vocalist, a yoga enthusiast, and she finds comfort in all things music.

Vaishnavi has completed her bachelor's in Nutrition and dietetics and master's in clinical nutrition and dietetics from SNDT University, Pune. Her current research work includes investigating fatty acid-laced food preferences in Drosophila. She enjoys watching movies and listening to songs.