Bhaktee Dongaonkar

Assistant Professor (Cognitive Science)

Email: bhaktee.dongaonkar@iiit.ac.in

Office: F34, Data Science Section, 4th floor, Kohli Research Block

Hurshitha Vasudevan (PhD student)

I'm fascinated by memory, aging, emotions, and neuroimaging — a mix that led me to become a Junior Research Fellow on the Cognitive Aging Study Telugu (DST-IHUB@IIITH) and explore the neuro-cognitive processes underlying spatial and non-spatial cognitive maps for my PhD. 

Aging research helps me empathize with others — especially when facing the eternal question, “Wait, where did I put my keys?”  Moments like this show how memory and our sense of space and the way we mentally organize the world shift as we age. These are exactly the kinds of changes I hope to understand through my work. 

When I'm not researching, you’ll find me reading books, watching anime, or dancing to music on a loop. 

Satish Kathirisetti (PhD student)

With an MTech in Manufacturing Automation (Robotic vision), I have founded several Telecom, AI and Healthcare startups focused on Brain-Computer Interfaces and clinical analytics before transitioning to academic research, following my passion to understand more about this 1.5 kg gelatinous mass floating in the head with a universe residing inside it. My research interests are temporal dynamics of physiological stress markers, memory & time perception under stress, sleep and time perception. My research aims to explore the relationship between physiological signals, sleep, time perception, and cognitive function. 

When I am not pondering the brain and its intricate mechanics, I photograph wildlife and its intricate connectedness. You can know more about that side of me on “skpism” handle.  

Priya Mishra (UGC-NET PhD student)

My previous experience was largely in clinical psychology, where I interacted with individuals to better understand the complexities of human behavior. Through this, I became particularly intrigued by the cognitive underpinnings of clinical disorders. While much of clinical psychology tends to focus on symptomatic diagnosis, I realized that cognitive dysfunctions play a crucial yet often overlooked role in these disorders. This insight led me to explore how cognitive impairments—present in nearly all psychiatric conditions—could serve as potential early markers for diagnosis. My interest in human behavior has always driven me to explore the intricate ways cognitive functions influence psychological disorders. 

Beyond my research, I am an ardent mystery novel enthusiast, a passionate gardener, and a lover of dancing and (admittedly off-key) bathroom singing. These little joys keep me grounded and creatively refreshed.  

Srividya Chelluri (Junior Research Fellow)

I hold an M.A. in Psychology from Osmania University and a PGD in Psychotherapy and Counselling from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Currently, I am a Junior Research Fellow in the Stress and Cognition Lab, working on the 'Cognitive Ageing Study-Telugu' project under Dr. Bhaktee Dongoankar. My role involves conducting literature reviews, cognitive and neuropsychological tests, assisting in data collection, analysis, and interpretation for studying cognitive aging in healthy individuals across various age groups. 

George Paul

(Computer Science Undergrad Researcher)

​Developing and validating a digital version of the ICMR-NCTB for cognitive screening in adults. This will be an Indian version and in multiple Indian languages

G V Krishna Chaitanya

(Computer Science Undergrad Researcher)

​Topic: Recognizing recollecting patterns in our memories