Members

Current Members

Akshay Malwade

PhD scholar

I have done my Masters from Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CBS), Mumbai. I joined the lab in Fall 2018. I am currently exploring evolutionary questions related to the Drosophila microbiome, specifically, how it connects to phenotypic level changes. 

Personal website

Anish Koner

PhD scholar

I have completed my BS-MS dual degree from IISER Berhampur (2016-2021). My interest in the field of Experimental Evolution mostly revolves around understanding life-history evolution and its underlying mechanism. I am fond of Bengali novels and old melodies. I play badminton and table tennis in free time. 

Chinmay Gadkari 

PhD scholar

I have done my Masters from MS University, Baroda in Zoology. I have worked as project-JRF at GBRC, Gandhinagar and afterwards, I joined the PBL at IISER Pune in August 2022. Here I am at the beginning stages of exploring my and fly lives. Other than science, I am fond of cooking, eating, and playing badminton.

Biswameet Chakraborty 

PhD scholar

I did my Masters from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi in Applied Microbiology. I joined this lab on January 2025. I hold a great interest in fundamental biology (cogs behind the machine). In PBL I have come to pursue this interest by taking the help of fruitflies to explain some of the crucial questions in evolutionary biology. My other interests are photography and gardening.

Akriti 

PhD scholar

I have completed my M.Sc (Zoology) from the University of Allahabad and my inclination towards behavioural biology brings me to PBL. My interest covers a wide range from science to spirituality. An experimental chef takes over my leisure time.  

Poornima Raveendran

Senior Teaching Associate

I have done M.Sc. (Botany) and B.Ed from University of Pune (SPPU). After a short stint as a research fellow, I turned towards teaching that continues to be my passion. Before joining IISER Pune, I was a lecturer at Abasaheb Garware Junior College, Pune. Besides work, I love nature, travelling, music and fine arts.

Sneha Bhogale

Senior Teaching Associate

Currently, I am working as a Senior Teaching Associate at IISER Pune for the project "Molecular Biology for All". 

I have completed my Bachelors and Masters in Microbiology from SPPU, Pune and a PhD in Plant Molecular Biology from IISER Pune. Following my PhD, I have worked on Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology during my post doctoral fellowship at University of Puget Sound, USA. 

I enjoy teaching and have also taught at different colleges in Pune. I am extremely passionate about integrating research and teaching.


Vinayak Khodake

Field Assistant

I finished my higher secondary education from SM College, Sangli and joined the lab in 2019. Apart from my regular interest in fly biology, I like coming up with solutions to various technology-related issues in the day-to-day running of the lab. In other words, I love making and repairing gadgets.

Navanath Kadam

Field Assistant

I completed my ITI training in mechanic machine tool maintenance trade and joined the lab in July 2022. I love working with machines and repairing them when they fail to work.

Masters Dissertation students 

Semester students (Jan 2025)