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I am a virologist, currently working as a Ramanujan Faculty Fellow at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, India. I completed my postdoctoral work from Stanford University and my PhD from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
During my PhD, I identified and characterized novel mechanisms by which viral RNA-host protein complexes regulate Hepatitis C virus infection in human liver epithelial cells. I also discovered novel microRNA and protein biomarkers that can be used to monitor disease progression in HCV infected patients.
As a postdoctoral fellow with Dr. Peter Sarnow at Stanford University, I started working on mosquito-borne RNA viruses. I developed high throughput RNA-centric proteomics-based methods to identify host proteins essential for Dengue virus infection across human and mosquito cells and identified Loquacious and its humanhomolog, PACT as pro-viral proteins that can be targeted to block DENV transmission.
Currently, my lab focuses on identifying unique ways in which RNA viruses manipulate host cellular machineries, using cutting-edge mass spectrometry-based methods, molecular and biochemical approaches with the ultimate goal of designing novel antiviral interventions.
When I am not working, I love spending time with my family, watercolors, yoga and reading historical fiction.
EMPLOYMENT
DST-Ramanujan fellow 2023-Current
Principal Investigator, Molecular biology and Genetics Unit
Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Postdoctoral fellow 2016-2022
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University
Advisor: Dr. Peter Sarnow
Project: “Dengue RNA-protein interactions that modulate infection in mosquito and human hosts”
- Developed high throughput RNA-centric and proteomics-based methods to identify host factors essential for flavivirus infection in human and mosquito cell culture systems.
- Engineering novel antiviral interventions to block vector mediated viral transmission and replication.
Ph.D. 2010-2015
Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science
Advisor: Dr. Saumitra Das
Thesis: “Host-pathogen interactions in Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection: Deciphering the role of host proteins and microRNAs”
- Characterized the role of novel host proteins and miRNAs as potential drug targets in mitigating HCV infection using cell culture model systems.
- Identified circulating biomarkers in HCV infected patient serum samples that affect viral pathogenesis and disease outcomes through RNA transcriptomics.
Master of Science, Biotechnology 2008-2010
Maharaja Sayajirao University, India
Dissertation: “Role of a non-coding RNA in the pathogenicity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa”
Advisor: Dr. Mrinalini Nair
Bachelor of Science, Biotechnology 2005-2008
Manipal Life Sciences Center, India
Dissertation: “Role of Metals in Interferon-γ Mediated functional responses”
Advisor: Dr. Dipankar Nandi
FELLOWSHIPS/ AWARDS
2023: DST-SERB Ramanujan fellowship, Department of Science and Technology, India
2023: DBT- Ramalingaswami fellowship, Department of Biotechnology, India (Gratefully declined)
2023: DBT-India Alliance Wellcome Trust Early Career Fellowship, India (Gratefully declined)
2015: Best poster award and oral presentation in the 4th Molecular Virology Meeting at the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, India.
2010-2015: Graduate student research fellowship awarded by the Government of India for PhD training at the Indian Institute of Science (All India Rank 3).
2010: Gold medal awarded for obtaining the highest GPA in the Masters in Biotechnology Program by the MS University of Baroda, India.
2005-2010: Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojna scholarship awarded for research in the Basic Sciences by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.
PRESENTATIONS
Invited oral presentations:
"Dengue RNA-protein interactions that modulate infection in mosquito host", American Society of Virology Annual Meeting, 2021.
"Dengue RNA-protein interactions that modulate infection in mosquito and human hosts", BayViro 2019, University of California, Berkeley, 2019.
“HuR orchestrates interplay between viral and host proteins at the 3’UTR to regulate HCV replication” 4th Molecular Virology Meeting, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, 2015.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Virus handling (BSL2/3), Insect and animal cell culture, clincal sample handling
- Advanced molecular biology techniques including CRISPR editing, RNA tagging, RNA affinity purification, library preparation and sequencing, Peptide identification by mass spectrometry (sample preparation and analysis),
- Small molecule and RNA-based therapeutics
MENTORING EXPERIENCE
2019-2021: Journal Club mentor, ADVANCE Summer Institute, Stanford Biosciences
2019: Lab Mentor, SSRP-Amgen Scholars Program
- Designed and submitted a research proposal for the SSRP mentorship program
- Mentored an undergraduate student to successfully complete the proposed project and present their work at the SSRP symposium.
- Title: Investigating the regulatory roles of Dicer in Dengue Viral Replication
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
2019-2021: Participated in the Stanford Teaching Certificate Program including a 12-week intensive course in Science and Engineering Course Design
2012: Teaching assistant: Essentials in Microbiology- Theory and laboratory courses
REVIEWER
- Reviewed more than 20 articles in Virology, Antiviral Research, Journal of Virology, MBio, Cell Reports and PLOS Pathogens
- Member of the American Society of Virology (2024-Present)
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