Team

Dr.Chandana Basu

I am a population geneticist and after spending almost a decade abroad joined BHU to start my journey that I had dreamt of i.e to have my own research group. My lab research interests revolve around understanding the phenotypic traits - how they differ across populations, how we acquire them, how it influences our biological fitness and which selective forces shaped them. My PhD involved study of two such traits - skin pigmentation and lactase persistence in South Asian populations. My work on indigenous populations of South Asia was the pioneer work on genetics of skin color in local Indian populations. Most importantly, our study inferred that the variants conferring to light skin and ability to digest milk in adulthood, is shared by Europeans and Indians. Our research mainly involves studying modern human genomes but also relating to information drawn from archaeology, linguistics, anthropology and evolutionary Biology. So it is indeed intriguing when you have a story that connects each evidence or piece of information and you can connect all the dots :). Currently, I am focussed on understanding the genetic basis of hair shape using mouse models.

Contact email- chandana.basu@bhu.ac.in

Twitter -@cbm2577

Shwetotpal Mrinal

I did my Graduation in Industrial microbiology with honors from Lalit Narayan Mithila University Darbhanga, Bihar, India. Then completed Post-graduation in microbiology from Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India. As a research scholar at the Centre for Genetic Disorders, Banaras Hindu University, I am currently working on the topic "Genetics of skin pigmentation". The major research interests are defining the role of different pigmentary genes in human skin, hair & eye colors in the South Asian population. The focus of this research is how different gene products regulate the different types of pigmentation patterns in humans including pigmentation-related disorders. So that it becomes easy to understand the diversity of different human populations, genetic similarity, migration patterns of modern humans, and evolutionary history.

Bhagyashree Choudhury

I received my BSc and MSc in Biotechnology, and during my six-month project term, I worked on raffinose protein estimation in several legumes using various techniques. After that, I took a specialization course in chromosomal genetics and molecular diagnostics, which opened a new door for me. I joined the Genophen lab in early January 2023 and expanded my research interest to understanding the genomics and diversity of high-altitude populations. Currently, I am working on analyzing the phenotypic characterization of populations residing in the Ladakh region, which will help to understand the perspective from both environmental and genetic perspectives of high-altitude adaptation. In addition to that, I am an avid manga reader and I worship food more than anything.

Pooja Rani

I completed my Bachelor's and Master's degree from Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University,Jaunpur UP specializing in Botany. After that, I enrolled in a specialization course in Chromosomal Genetics and Molecular Diagnostics at Banaras Hindu University. I became a member of the Genophen lab at the Center For Genetic Disorders at the beginning of the year 2023. I am deeply interested in understanding more about the mysterious origins of life. Currently, I am on working on the biobank and its current scenario in India. Apart from scientific brainstorming, I love listening to music, badminton energizes me, and I love travelling and exploring new cities because they are fascinating.

Harigovind Dubey

I did my Graduation in Zoology, Botany and chemistry from K.S Saket PG CollegeAyodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India. And now pursuing my post-graduation in M.Sc.Biotechnology from Dr Rammanohar Lohia Avadh University, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India. Currently, I am joined as a trainee at the Centre for GeneticDisorders, Banaras Hindu University.I love cooking, singing, Bookreading,Travelling.

Abhilasha

Curiosity drove me to explore science, and being a plant lover, I chose Botany and Zoology subjects in my UG and furthered my expertise in Zoology through my Master's with Parasitology as a major subject. I further went on to pursue a certificate course that provides specialization in chromosomal genetics and molecular Diagnostic aimed to understanding Genetic Disorders, their cause and diagnosis through cytological and molecular techniques.I joined the Genophen Lab recently to expand my understanding in population genomics.Apart from exploring diverse fields of science, my passion include gardening, devouring books and exploring new places.

Debasree

"I am a Senior Research Fellow (UGC-NET) in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Calcutta. Holding a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Anthropology from the same esteemed institution, my academic career is rooted in a comprehensive understanding of anthropological principles. My area of research converges at the intersection of anthropology, genomics, and nutrigenomics. Specifically, my work investigates the intricate relationships between breastfeeding practices, genetic factors influencing trace mineral transport during lactation, and their collective impact on maternal and child health. Since joining the Genophen laboratory in August 2024, I have expanded my research scope to encompass the genomic aspects of nutrigenomics. My primary areas of interest include molecular anthropology, genetic variations in trace elements and their implications for human health, forensic science, and disease genomics. Through my research, I aim to contribute a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between genetic, environmental, and cultural factors that shape human health and well-being."

Pragya Verma

I've always been fascinated by the silent symphony playing inside our bodies—the rhythms that guide when we sleep, eat, feel, and focus. My academic journey has been shaped by this curiosity, leading me into the world of chronobiology and human physiology, where time itself becomes a biological variable.With a Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Lucknow and research fellowships from ICMR (SRF/RA), my early work explored how academic stress and lifestyle pressures influence hormonal cycles, emotional rhythms, hunger, and sleep in adolescents. Over time, this inquiry expanded into occupational health and behavioral physiology, always with one guiding question: how can science better serve society?Currently, I’m honoured to be working as a Scientist under the DST WISE-SCOPE programme, where I investigate genome–phenotype associations across chronotypes. My research focuses on how individuals with different biological clocks respond to sleep and stress—particularly among North Indian adults. These studies aim to bridge molecular insights with real-world health outcomes.Beyond the lab, I’ve spent over a decade hosting educational radio programs on All India Radio (Akashwani) in Lucknow and Varanasi, translating complex science into everyday language. I believe that research must be rigorous, relatable, and rooted in empathy.I also enjoy developing innovative teaching tools, including interactive quiz banks and concept-based learning modules, to make science education more engaging and accessible for students.Joining GenoPhen Lab at CGD, BHU, offers a unique opportunity to blend chronobiology with cutting-edge genomics. I, being Chronobiologist and a Science communicator, look forward to contributing to the lab’s vision—where genes, rhythms, and human stories converge to illuminate new paths in science.

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