Formally trained in wildlife biology and conservation, I am currently a PhD student at Nature Conservation Foundation, Mysore. My research interest lies in understanding how wildlife respond to large scale habitat changes and its implications for conservation actions. Using hornbills as focal taxa, I try to understand their behavioural adaptations, nesting ecology, population ecology and evolution in the context of their changing environments. My PhD study is about understanding impacts of paleo-climate, geography and anthropogenic threats on phylogeography and population genetics of hornbills in India. Apart from academic research, I like to try my hand at science communication.

I completed my Integrated BS-MS program at IISER Pune in 2024, majoring in Biology with a minor in Humanities and Social Sciences. My broad interests lie in the fields of ecology, evolution, and animal behaviour, with a keen focus on population genetics, community ecology, and the evolution of behaviour. For my master’s thesis, I studied the spatial distribution of genetic variation in co-distributed centipede species across the Western Ghats and examined the ecological and geoclimatic factors shaping this variation. Currently, at CEROS, I am working on a project that explores bird diversity across India. Using citizen science data, we aim to identify bird diversity hotspots and understand their ecological drivers to inform conservation prioritisation. Beyond science, I am deeply passionate about music, cinema, food, cricket and literature.

Email: dhanushss2205@gmail.com

Growing up in Nagpur, Maharashtra, my early fascination with wildlife was nurtured through frequent safaris to the surrounding protected areas. I am particularly drawn to research on endangered ectotherms through diverse lenses like population genomics, evolutionary biology, and physiology. I completed my Master’s in Ecology at Pondicherry University in 2023, where my thesis focused on the thermal biology of urban geckos. My passion lies in studying herpetofauna and contributing to their conservation. As a PhD student at NCF, I hope to understand the role of ecological and anthropogenic drivers in influencing populations of endangered herpetofauna of open ecosystems over contemporary and historical timescales. Beyond my academic and research pursuits, I enjoy travelling, fitness training, and reading fiction over a cup of hot coffee.

Email: vaishnavi@ncf-india.org