Comparative Insights into Living and Extinct Proboscideans
Namaste! I'm Sanjeeta, a Hakubi Assistant Professor at Kyoto University's Hakubi Centre, where I explore one of the most fascinating questions in biology: how do long-lived mammals, such as proboscideans, and their ancient ancestors adapt to the ever-changing world around them?
My research brings together physiology, behaviour, and ecology to uncover how proboscideans, past and present, have survived across diverse environments for millennia. From living Asian elephants to their extinct relatives, I use innovative molecular tools to connect deep-time stories of survival with urgent questions about how today’s elephants (or large mammals) will cope with a rapidly changing climate.
Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work-and-walk through many elephant landscapes, each teaching me how uniquely elephants adapt to their surroundings.
When I’m not studying elephants, I express my love for nature through cartoons and poetry, creative outlets that remind me to see the world with wonder. And, there's a very special member of my team who walks beside me on this path of learning and brings boundless joy and inspiration to my work - Bhunte, the baby elephant! 🐘❤
Thank you for visiting. I hope you’ll join me in this exploration of Gajah--the elephants, their past and present...