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2011 PhD rotation project on “Homology Modeling of Five Olfactory receptors From Humans, Mice and Worms.” Supervisor: Dr. R. Sowdhamini. I computationally modelled the putative 3-D structures of these olfactory receptors using bovine rhodopsin as a template. Predicting structure of these transmembrane proteins is challenging given their low sequence identity with the template.
2011 PhD rotation project on “Historical Population Expansion in Two Shola Birds.” Supervisor: Dr. U. Ramakrishnan. I examined the past demographic changes in two bird species from the patchy grassland forests or Sholas of the Western Ghats mountains. I employed Bayesian Skyline Plot and Mismatch Analysis to understand the influence of palaeo-climate on this demographic change.
2010–2011 M.Sc. review paper on “Cellularization of Nuclear Endosperms: Patterns of Variation and Evolution.” Supervisor: Dr. R. Geeta. I investigated the possible developmental basis to an apparent constraint to the evolution of cellular endosperm from nuclear endosperm, and the constraints on evolution of nuclear endosperm into helobial endosperm. I found suggestive evidence that abnormalities resulting from early cellularization of the endosperm on embryo development may impose developmental constraints on nuclear to cellular endosperm evolution. Nuclear to helobial evolution is rare possibly because when there is selective advantage in favour of helobial-type endosperms, nuclear endosperms can evolve to simulate the helobial condition.
2011 PhD rotation project on “Historical Population Expansion in Two Shola Birds.” Supervisor: Dr. U. Ramakrishnan. I examined the past demographic changes in two bird species from the patchy grassland forests or Sholas of the Western Ghats mountains. I employed Bayesian Skyline Plot and Mismatch Analysis to understand the influence of palaeo-climate on this demographic change.
2010–2011 M.Sc. review paper on “Cellularization of Nuclear Endosperms: Patterns of Variation and Evolution.” Supervisor: Dr. R. Geeta. I investigated the possible developmental basis to an apparent constraint to the evolution of cellular endosperm from nuclear endosperm, and the constraints on evolution of nuclear endosperm into helobial endosperm. I found suggestive evidence that abnormalities resulting from early cellularization of the endosperm on embryo development may impose developmental constraints on nuclear to cellular endosperm evolution. Nuclear to helobial evolution is rare possibly because when there is selective advantage in favour of helobial-type endosperms, nuclear endosperms can evolve to simulate the helobial condition.
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I am interested in how botany developed as a discipline and how it has influenced culture, politics, cuisine, and literature. 2024–2025 Botanical heroes or Colonial collaborators? (in prep.). I discuss how several illustrious European botanists associated with the Calcutta Botanic Garden during British rule in India used their scientific talents to advance the empire at the cost of Indians. 2025– Botanical gardens and religion. Using the Calcutta Botanic Garden as a case study, I discuss how botanical garden can be venues for a liberal interpretation of religious dogma and cross-cultural understanding. 2015–2016 Calcutta Botanical Garden and making of the modern world. This research evaluates how a botanical garden established in British India influenced the development of modern science, scientific art, food habits, politics, social conventions, and religion; while also helping the British cement their rule in India. I based my research on memoirs, travelogues, government reports, official communication, and press reports from in 18th to 20th centuries. Presented at the Botany Conference, Savannah, GA, 2016, and was awarded Emanuel D. Rudolph Award for best historical presentation. Abstract can be found here. |
A section of the Wallich Catalogue
Botanic Garden, Kolkata, India |
