Team

Manesh Prakash Joshi 

Principal Investigator

After completing his M.Sc. in Biotechnology at IIT Bombay, Dr. Manesh Joshi joined the biology department at IISER Pune as a Ph.D. student in Prof. Sudha Rajamani’s lab. During his Ph.D., he conducted extensive research on the synthesis of abiotic lipids and the formation of liposomes (vesicles), focusing on the role of lipid-based membrane compartments in the origin of cellular life. His Ph.D. work was recognized with a gold medal and the Best Thesis Award in Biology from IISER Pune. Subsequently, he was awarded a prestigious NASA Postdoctoral Fellowship to work with Prof. Christine Keating at Penn State University in the USA. During his postdoctoral stint, he studied lipid membrane-coated coacervates as model hybrid protocell systems, investigating how increased membrane heterogeneity affects their properties and its implications for prebiotic evolution. Currently, Dr. Joshi works as a Scientist at the Department of Oils, Lipid Science, and Technology, CSIR-IICT, where his research spans both fundamental and applied aspects of lipid science.

Evan C. Biju

Project Associate

I’m Evan C. Biju, a native of Kerala, and I completed my post-graduation in Chemistry from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, in 2021. Since January 2025, I have been working as a Project Associate in Dr. Joshi’s lab on the project titled “Green synthesis of industrially important N-acyl amino acids from phospholipids and amino acids.” I also bring along one year of industrial experience as a QA/QC chemist in a leading food industry in Kerala, along with research exposure in lipids and oil technology from CSIR-NIIST, Trivandrum. My research interests focus on applying chemistry to food, cosmetic, and delivery applications. Outside the lab, I enjoy playing badminton and exploring good food.

Vedika Shinde

Dissertation student

I am a final-year B.Tech Biotechnology student at the D.Y. Patil School of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Navi Mumbai, driven by an interest in understanding biological systems through a multidisciplinary lens. In addition to my undergraduate training, I hold a diploma in Forensic Science and Criminal Law from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, which has broadened my perspective on the application of biotechnology in legal and investigative sciences.  My research training includes internships at VSI, Pune, and NFB, Matunga, where I worked on molecular cloning, gene expression analysis in prokaryotic systems, virus indexing, and assessment of genetic fidelity in tissue-cultured plants. Currently, under the guidance of Dr. Manesh Prakash Joshi, my laboratory work focuses on protocell models, including coacervates and lipid-based assemblies, with an emphasis on their formation, stability, and significance in biological organization. Beyond research, I enjoy reading, photography, and other creative pursuits that nurture curiosity and observation, skills that I value both inside and outside the laboratory. 

Joseph Sharon 

Dissertation student

I am a final-year M.Pharm student at Vijaya Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences for Women, Vijayawada, affiliated with Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada (JNTUK). I have a strong passion for pharmaceutical sciences and research. My academic training has provided me with a solid foundation in drug formulation, pharmaceutical analysis, and research. My previous projects involved the formulation and Evaluation of a gastro-retentive in situ gel of Ciprofloxacin to enhance drug bioavailability and targeted delivery, and exploring innovative drug targeting strategies to improve therapeutic outcomes in neurodegenerative diseases. Currently, I am conducting my final-year research project at CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad, under the mentorship of Dr. Manesh Joshi. My dissertation project involves the development of a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method for synthesizing N-acyl amino acids from phospholipids and amino acids.