Research interests

Molecular phylogeny

Molecular phylogenetics could be the greatest of tributes to Darwinian tree of life. Molecular phylogenetics provides interesting insights on the complexity of speciation events and how organisms might have evolved in space and time. I work on the molecular phylogeny of a number of taxa including freshwater fishes, amphibians and scorpions.

Phylogeography

Past geological changes on the earth contribute the geographical distribution of organisms and their evolutionary trajectories. Molecular analysis in the light of geographical distribution of organisms can contribute in our understanding of geological changes and how they might have contributed towards evolution and speciation events. Phylogenetic studies along with molecular clock analysis can support and challenge the existing geological theories regarding continental drifts, glaciations events, volcanism and so on. Along with my collaborators, I work on phylogeography of a variety of taxa to understand the effects of continental drift, formation of geological gaps and Deccan trap formation on the evolution of organisms along the Western Ghats of India.

Molecular epidemiology of wildlife diseases

Studying occurrence and dynamics of wildlife diseases is the first step towards conservation of species in anthropocene. With my collaborators, I work on molecular epidemiology of wildlife diseases with a major focus on chytrid fungus infection in endemic amphibians of the Western Ghats.Our studies have shown that chytrid fungal infection is widespread in endemic amphibians of the Western Ghats mountain ranges.

Conservation biology

Conservation biology is an integrated field in life sciences that incorporates information from basic and applied studies on the ecosystem and species for their conservation in anthropocene. With the help of data generated through a variety of studies including molecular phylogeny, phylogeography, systematic and taxonomy and molecular epidemiology of wildlife diseases, my collaborators and I work on understanding the conservation status of organisms, realizing gaps in current management actions and legislations and suggesting ways to overcome current shortfalls in management of threatened taxa and ecosystems.

Evolutionary game theory

I worked on evolution of social norms and sanctions under natural selection for my Ph.D. dissertation. I build game theoretical models and analyze them using replicator and adaptive dynamics to understand their evolutionary trajectories and equilibrium states. I am interested in applying the theoretical framework of Game Theory for understand and resolving the conflict of interests in conservation related decision making.

Ecological statistics

The inherent variability in ecological data makes it essential to understand the ecological dynamics in the light of statistical inferences. I work on multivariate analysis of ecological data to understand the complex nature of nature. I also use multivariate analysis to understand morphological evolution of organism.

Systematics

Understanding the systematic status of organisms and clearing their taxonomy is a first step towards realizing their evolutionary relationships and their conservation. My collaborators and I work on resolving taxonomic issues among freshwater fish and frogs an our work has resulted in description of a new genus each of fish and frog, eight new species of fishes and eight new species of frogs along with synonymization of four known species of fishes.