Principal Investigator

Arnab Barik

arnabbarik@iisc.ac.in

Curriculum vitae

Assistant Professor & India Alliance Intermediate Fellow

Arnab did his B.Tech in Biotechnology at SRM University, Chennai, and his PhD in Neuroscience with Dr Lin Mei at the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta. During his PhD, he worked on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of neuromuscular junction development and maintenance. Next, Arnab wanted to explore another facet of the peripheral nervous system - somatosensation - specifically, what are the neural circuits underlying the sensation and perception of somatosensory information from the periphery. To pursue his interests in somatosensation, he moved to the National Institutes of Health to work in the laboratory of Dr Alexander Chesler. In his postdoctoral work, he identified a specific population of neurons in the parabrachial nucleus as being essential for generating affective responses to pain. In 2020 he joined the Center for Neuroscience as a principal investigator and plans to study the molecules, cells, and circuits that drive responses to pain and itch. 

Graduate Student

Jagat Narayan Prajapati

jagatnarayan@iisc.ac.in

Jagat did his B.Tech in biotechnology from M.N.N.I.T Allahabad. He developed his interest in science and engineering, so he further did M.S.(R) from IIT Delhi in Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology Department. During his masters, he worked on the skeletal muscle myosin II in vitro motility system. He wanted to pursue his further research interest in neuroscience. Jagat joined CNS in October 2020. He is currently working on molecular level changes in chronic itch and pain in different brain regions. He loves story-telling and reading stories. In his spare time, Jagat explores Hindu mythology and philosophy.  

Graduate Student

Yatika

yatika2021@iisc.ac.in

Yatika obtained her BSc Honors degree from the Department of Biochemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh. She pursued her Masters in Biochemistry from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh. In her master's, she worked on a Single nucleotide polymorphism study of Glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia. She became interested in neuroscience during her bachelor's in her neurobiochemistry course.  She enjoys playing badminton, cricket, and practicing yoga.

Graduate Student

Mousmi Rani

mousmirani@iisc.ac.in

Mousmi has completed her integrated B. Tech and M. Tech in Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology from IIT (BHU), Varanasi.  Her interest in neuroscience started in her master’s project, where she worked on delineating the role of gut microbiota in modulating the gut-brain axis under chronic pain conditions. Further, she wants to explore and understand how different structures in the brain function and interact to determine nocifensive behaviors. Apart from academics, she loves listening to music and watching anime.

Graduate Student

Smriti Koul

smritikoul@iisc.ac.in

Smriti completed my Bachelor’s in Biochemistry from Sri Venkateswara College, Delhi University, and pursued a Master's in Biotechnology at Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi. Her thesis's research topic was "The role of the red nucleus in fine motor output" at IISc Bangalore.

The mere contemplation of the idea that the world one perceives is entirely different from someone else's continually captivates her about neuroscience. Beyond her academic pursuits, Smriti has a keen interest in travel. 

Research Intern

Harikrishnan Nair

harikrishnan.nair2019@vitstudent.ac.in

Hari, a final year Integrated Biotechnology student at VIT, Vellore, has joined here to complete his Master's thesis for his Project internship. He has developed a keen interest in neuroscience and would like to pursue a Ph.D. to explore further possibilities in research activities. As for his hobbies, he's passionate about photography and loves to capture moments through his lens. He says photography helps him see things from a different perspective. Moreover, he loves cooking and trying new recipes in his free time.

Research Intern

Aayush Banerjee

aayushb20@iiserbpr.ac.in

Aayush, currently in his final year of the Integrated BS-MS program at IISER Berhampur, has joined here to complete his master's dissertation. He is deeply interested in neuroscience and plans to pursue a Ph.D. to advance his research in this area.  Alongside his passion for biology, he also has a strong interest in history. In his free time, Aayush enjoys playing the piano and drums, as well as indulging in video games and horror movies.

Research Intern

Manojeet Pattanayak

manojeet.pattanayak@students.iiserpune.ac.in

Manojeet, a master's thesis student from IISER Pune, is pursuing his final year project. He is working under Jagat, and his current work includes "Role of dopamine and substance P in acute and chronic itch processing in the nucleus accumbens." He wishes to kindle his interest in programming as he is very enthusiastic about technology. He also has a precise interest in learning software and techniques. He would like to pursue his PhD on a similar note. Being an introvert, he passes his time outside of the lab watching anime or playing games. However, he would also like to expand his list to outdoor sports and have some actual human interactions.

Research Intern

Neha Adarsh

nehaadarsh@students.iisertirupati.ac.in

Neha is in her final year of the integrated BS-MS program at IISER Tirupati. She will complete her master's by understanding the relationship between chronic pain and stress. Her passion for neuroscience stems from a belief that as we perceive and create everything by our brains, understanding the brain might help her understand everything. Apart from randomly finding topics for research from her everyday life, she enjoys creative writing, Bharatnatyam, and finding new stories to watch.