Keertana Tallapragada

Research interests

I am broadly interested in the origin and evolution of species complexity and diversity and I love studying this through processes underlying host-microbe symbioses. I currently study how host genetic variation influences pea aphid symbioses with bacterial partners. I'm model system-agnostic and always excited to learn new skills, study a range of systems, and unravel questions I'm not yet thinking about. I want to pursue curiosity-driven academic research, with an ambition to run my independent group focusing on the evolution and mechanisms of symbioses. I'm actively looking to begin a post-doctoral position in 2027. 

About

I'm originally from Hyderabad, India, where I pursued a master's degree in microbiology. I then moved to the US for my PhD in the Parker Lab. I love trying new food, hiking, and you're most likely to find me in a museum or sketching away at a cafe or brewery.