I am a quantitative ecologist, broadly interested in the processes that give rise to and maintain the distribution of biodiversity on our planet. I recently finished my PhD from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune where I studied the mechanistic basis for the widely reported "abundant-centre" pattern in species distributions using birds from Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary as a model system. In the lab, I will be exploring acoustic data as a tool to understand niche partitioning and interspecific associations. 

My broad interests span the fields of functional and comparative biomechanics in the context of evolutionary ecology. For my MS thesis, I studied the patterns of morphological and phylogenetic diversity in Asian canopy-frugivorous birds. For my PhD, I am studying the biomechanics of cavity-excavation by birds. During my spare time, I can be found painting/sketching, or listening to music. I also love traveling and trying out different cuisines.

I hail from Wayanad and my enthusiasm for wildlife sprouted during my early years, going out for nature walks with my father in this mesmerising landscape. I completed my master's in Wildlife Biology and Conservation from NCBS, Bangalore. My interests span across natural history, community ecology, evolutionary biology, bioacoustics and particularly biomechanics, which I am focusing on for my Ph.D. My MSc dissertation focused on understanding the role of acoustic trait space of species in the community assembly of mixed-species bird flocks. Outside academic hours, I spend long hours photographing and documenting the biodiversity around me, in addition to engaging in farming and music. I am deeply rooted in the Wayanad landscape and also am an active member of Wayanad Prakriti Samrakshana Samiti, a collective involved in social and conservation-related issues in Wayanad.

I am a BS-MS student at IISER Pune. I have been studying syntax structure of budgerigar warbles and the relation between steps in budgerigar courtship display and their warbles over summer projects in the lab, and am now examining patterns in complex vocal sequences for my MS thesis. In my free time I love going on long cycle rides and hikes.

I am an ecological generalist, with a slight bias towards studying birds. I am mainly interested in understanding population and community level patterns of open-habitat species (mainly birds); and studying the behavioural and physiological mechanisms that bring about these patterns. My other academic interests include analysing complex datasets and finding automated (or remote sensing based) solutions for wildlife monitoring. I am currently a Scientist-C at the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun.

Beyond science, I like watching and playing football, cricket and badminton. I also like reading non-fiction and listening to a variety of music.