Lab Members
Dr. Manish Kumar
Assistant Professor, School of Biology
Manish’s interest in infectious disease biology began with a background in microbiology and evolved through studies of genomes, proteomes, and host-pathogen interactions. During his PhD at the Institute of Bioinformatics, Bangalore, he used mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics, post-translational modification analysis, and proteogenomics to study the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi, investigating molecular responses to blood feeding and identifying novel protein-coding regions in the genome. His subsequent postdoctoral work at the National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, and in the Duraisingh Lab at Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, focused increasingly on the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, combining quantitative proteomics, PTM analysis, genome editing, and epigenetic approaches to understand parasite biology. During his time in the Duraisingh Lab at Harvard, his research focused on the interplay between parasite metabolism and epigenetic regulation, including the identification and characterization of histone lactylation as a novel PTM in Plasmodium falciparum. This work motivated further investigation into how metabolic and environmental signals influence parasite development and adaptation and was supported by an NIH grant. At IISER Thiruvananthapuram, he is interested in developing mass spectrometry technologies and proteomic approaches to study biological systems at molecular resolution. His long-term goal is to understand how parasites sense and adapt to their environment, how these adaptations shape host–pathogen interactions, and how such mechanisms can be exploited for biomarker and therapeutic discovery. Outside the lab, he enjoys teaching and mentoring young scientists and believes that some of the most interesting discoveries begin with a simple biological question-and the willingness to follow where the data leads.
PhD Students
Anuj Upadhyaya
PhD, year: 2025
Harsha Narayanan
PhD, year: 2026
Vijaya Kotkar
PhD, year: 2026
Anuj is deeply interested in using multi-omics technologies for better understanding of epigenetic modifications in the mosquito vector species. Most of his lab time is spent in getting trained on the latest technologies related to high-resolution mass spectrometry and its applications in understanding protein post-translational modifications. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, following geopolitical news, listening to Indian classical music, traveling, swimming, climbing trees, and trekking.
Harsha Narayanan is a first year PhD student with a background in zoology and a keen interest in multiomics and epigenetic regulations. Having previously worked on Drosophila haematopoiesis and single-cell transcriptomics during her master’s thesis work, she is now eager to explore the epigenetic landscape of Plasmodium. In the lab, she can usually be found working through an experiment, or staring at her laptop for hours on end trying to make sense of the data, all whilst a pop song plays constantly in her headphones. Outside the lab, however, she is usually oscillating between planning elaborate itineraries for places she may not visit anytime soon, writing fiction that may or may not ever see the light of day, or being engrossed in a sitcom she has already watched far too many times.
Vijaya Kotkar is a first year PhD scholar, working on epigenetics in Plasmodium, followed by genetic manipulations to investigate their functional roles. She has completed her Master’s in Biotechnology from The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Gujarat and Bachelor’s in Biotechnology from Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune. Outside the lab, she enjoys playing chess and has a soft spot for nature and animals. She is quite happy in her own company, often found sitting quietly, overthinking something completely unnecessary, or simply contemplating life.
Masters Students (2025-2026)
Shrushti Kanse
BSMS 2021 - Biology
Saloni Santosh Ambre
BSMS 2021 - Biology
Apoorva Dash
M.Sc 2024 - Biology
Padmanabhan Kannan
BSMS 2021 - Biology
Shrushti Kanse explored the crosstalk between glucose metabolism and epigenetic regulation in the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum. She has developed a strong interest in host-pathogen interactions and the molecular mechanisms underlying infectious diseases. She hails from Satara, a picturesque town in Maharashtra and outside the lab, she is either deep in conversation with friends or taking walks around campus always with Taylor Swift on repeat.
Saloni worked on the identification and quantitation of protein lactylation as a novel post-translational modification in female Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes. Her scientific interests lie in understanding how epigenetic changes influence infectious disease outcome. Outside the lab, she’s usually lost in the wizarding worldof Harry Potter, rewatching Friends for the umpteenth time, or learning new hook steps for dance, her preferred form of stress management.
Apoorva is drawn to emerging technologies like organoids and organ-on-a-chip systems that bring biology to life outside the body. In our lab, she investigated how our diet shapes protein post-translational modifications status in the liver, in turn, regulates gene regulation. Born in Tamil Nadu and raised in Noida, she carries both cultural roots with her as she explores new scientific frontiers. Outside the lab, she finds joy in rewatching her favourite K-dramas (especially Mr. Queen), sketching, reading, and losing herself in music
Padma worked on the functional and stage-specific characterisation of long non-coding RNAs in Plasmodium falciparum. He has a strong interest in applying genomic and transcriptomic approaches to infectious diseases, with the broader goal of generating evidence to inform public health policy. Outside the laboratory, you can probably catch him trying out new food, attending(not winning) quizzes, and making repeated, largely futile efforts to persuade Saloni to watch anything other than Friends.
Masters Students (2026-2027)
Monami Sarkar
BSMS 2022 - Biology
Surya K
2022 - i² Biology
Vaani Bhardwaj
2022 - i² Biology
Tanishka Bhatia
M.Sc 2025 - Biology
Monami has a keen interest in understanding the sexual conversion and developmental processes in Plasmodium parasites. Currently, she is investigating the role of protein PTMs in sexual commitment of P. falciparum. Originally from Kolkata, she is a proud Bengali who carries a little bit of home with her wherever she goes. She is an animal lover and particularly enjoys befriending cats. Outside the lab, she is a dancer and can often be found listening to soft, mellow songs when she needs a break from everything else.
Surya is interested in identifying key epigenetic regulators that influence epigenetic code in human parasites. Currently, he is using molecular biology and genetic tools to knockdown genes of interest and study the impact on epigenetic status. Outside the lab, he enjoys suspense thrillers, singing when no one is listening, and video-calling home to check on his pet dog, Charlie. A proud Bengalurian, he is still searching for the perfect Bengaluru-style masala dose in Thiruvananthapuram.
Vaani came to the lab with a strong interest in epigenetics and molecular biology. Currently, she is studying histone lactylation in Plasmodium falciparum using crosslinking proteomics and high-resolution mass spectrometry. In the lab, you will find her maintaining impeccably kept records, organising every corner , or tending to her culture. Outside the lab, however, she is usually found wandering around campus at odd hours of the night or holed up in her room watching the same five shows on repeat.
Tanishka's research interests lie at the intersection of proteomics, mass spectrometry, and translational biology. She is currently carrying out in-depth proteomic analysis of mosquito vector species to identify proteins altered during Plasmodium infection. Outside the lab, she is rarely far from music, good food, or a good conversation, and will almost certainly have a song recommendation ready.
