01
Academic & Leadership Positions
Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore
Centre for Ecological Sciences (Pay Band 4)
Venomics AI Pvt. Ltd., India
AI-Accelerated Biodiscovery from Animal Venoms
VISHAM, Bangalore, India
Venom Institute for Snakebite Health and Advanced Medicine
Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology (IBAB)
Bangalore, India
Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore
Centre for Ecological Sciences
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
PBC & Lady Davis Postdoctoral Fellow
University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
CIIMAR — Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine & Environmental Research
University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
FCT Doctoral Fellow
02
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
01 Dec 2013
Evolutionary Biology
University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
★ Distinction · Equivalent to Summa cum laude
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Aug 2008
Applied Genetics
Karnataka University, Dharwad, Karnataka, India
★ Distinction · 1st Rank
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Aug 2006
Genetics, Chemistry & Zoology
Karnataka Science College, Karnataka University, India
★ Distinction · 1st Rank (Genetics)
03
Awards & Fellowships
21 Honours
Jan 2026
Deccan Herald Changemaker Award, Deccan Herald
India
Jan 2023
Professor Har Swarup Memorial Award, Indian National Science Academy (INSA)
India
Jan 2021
DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance Intermediate Fellowship
UK–India
Oct 2020
INSA Medal for Young Scientists, Indian National Science Academy
India
Apr 2018
Ramanujan Fellowship, Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB)
India
Nov 2021
Merck Young Scientist Award, Merck
India
Aug 2017
INSPIRE Faculty Award, Department of Science and Technology (DST)
India
Jun 2026
Anthropic AI for Science Grant, Anthropic
USA
2026
Google Antigravity Science Programme, Google
USA
Jan 2018
Gyandeep Award for Excellence in Scientific Research on Snakes, OWLS & Dept. of Forest, Maharashtra State
India
2015–2017
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship, European Commission
EU
2015–2018
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA), Australian Research Council (Relinquished)
Australia
2014
PBC Fellowship for Outstanding Postdoctoral Researchers from India, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Israel
2014
Lady Davis Postdoctoral Fellowship, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Israel
2016
Young Investigators Registration Reimbursement Award, Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution (SMBE)
Global
2014
Postdoctoral Fellowship, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Israel
2014
BIOL External Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) Travel Grant, University of Queensland
Australia
2016
Toxins Travel Award, MDPI
Switzerland
2014
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Foundation for Science and Technology (PTDC/MAR/115199/2009)
Portugal
2014
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Foundation for Science and Technology (PTDC/AAC-AMB/121301/2010)
Portugal
2010–2013
Doctoral Fellowship, Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)
Portugal
04
Recognition, Committees & Editorial Service
National, International & Institutional Committees 20 Appointments
- Aug 2026–Present Committee Member, Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBSC), Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
- Dec 2025 Jury Member, Kerala State Young Scientist Award 2025, Kerala State Council for Science, Technology & Environment (KSCSTE), Govt. of Kerala
- 20 Aug 2025 Project Selection Committee, Intermediate Grant and Small Grant Scheme, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
- 09 Jul 2025 Technical Expert Committee, Review of National Guideline on Regional Venom Centres under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NPSE)
- 2025–2028 DBT–BIRAC Joint Screening & Selection Committee, Biomanufacturing of Precision Biotherapeutics (BioE3)
- 2024–Present Building Committee, Division of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
- 2024–Present Key Opinion Leader (KOL) on Snakebite and Antivenom, George Clinical
- Feb 2024 Expert Committee, National Programme for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming in India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Govt. of India
- 2024 Expert Advisory Committee, National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAP-SE), Division of Zoonotic Diseases Programme, NCDC, DGHS, MoHFW, Govt. of India & World Health Organization (WHO)
- Jul 2023–Present Sectoral Expert Committee on “Biomanufacturing of Precision Biotherapeutics: Monoclonal Antibodies”, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Govt. of India
- 2022–Present Special Technical Advisory Committee on “Aquaculture & Marine Biotechnology and Livestock & Animal Biotechnology”, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Govt. of India
- Jun 2022 Advisory Committee, ₹1,600 Crore Project by the Department of Atomic Energy and Government of Maharashtra to develop Haffkine Institute
- 2022 Expert Advisory Committee, ICMR Centre for Advanced Research of Excellence on Snakebite (I-CARE), Indian Council of Medical Research
- 2022 Expert Member, National Task Force for Research on Snakebite in India, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
- 2021 Snakebite Envenoming Roster of Experts & Technical Advisory Group, World Health Organization (WHO)
- 2021–Present Steering Committee, The Snakebite Research Network
- 2019–Present Executive Board Member, Indian Society for Toxinology and Snakebite Mitigation (ISTSM)
- Jun 2019 Technical Advisory Committee, Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India
- 2018–Present Advisory Board, Snakebite Healing and Education Society
- 2018 Advisory Board, ToxiVen Biotech Pvt. Ltd.
Editorial Boards & Conference Organization 16 Roles
- Jul 2024–Present Editor, Journal of Proteins and Proteomics
- 2022–Present Guest Academic Editor, PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
- 2022–Present Guest Editor, Journal of Biosciences
- 2022 Guest Associate Editor, Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution (Chemical Ecology: Diversity and Evolution of Animal Venoms)
- Jun 2021–Present Review Editor & Guest Associate Editor, Frontiers in Tropical Diseases: Neglected Tropical Diseases
- Jan 2021–Jul 2022 Deputy Editor, PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
- 2021 Guest Editor, Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
- 2015–2021 Editorial Board Member, Toxins (MDPI, Animal Venoms Section)
- Dec 2024 Organizing Committee, International Society for Toxinology (IST) – Asia Pacific Webinar Series
- Jul 2023 Local Organizing Committee & Symposium Chair, Annual Congress of the International Society for Chemical Ecology
- 2018, 2019, 2023 Course Co-ordinator, DST-SERB Schools in Chemical Ecology (IISc & NCBS)
- Jul 2022 Scientific Committee, Pathogens and Natural Toxins e-Conference
- Nov 2021 Judging Panel, Inspiring Science Award
- 2021 Scientific Committee, Natural Toxins Conference
- Oct 2019 Organiser, International Symposium on Snakebites
Professional Society Memberships & Governance
- Mar 2026–Present Life Member, Society of Biological Chemists (SBC), India
- Feb 2024–Present Life Member, Indian Society for Evolutionary Biology (ISEB)
- Jan 2024–Present Life Member, International Society for Toxinology (IST)
- 2018–Present IISc Governance & Facilities: The Great Day Committee (2022–Present); Central Animal Facility Management Committee & Dept. Representative (2018–Present); Common Molecular Ecology Lab CES (2018–Present); Divisional Tissue Culture Upgradation (2021), Mass Spectrometer Procurement (2019) & Computer Cluster (2019) Committees; PhD Interview Coordinator CES (2018–2022).
- 2017–2023 National Examinations: GATE-XL Zoology Chief Paper Setter (2023); GATE-EY Ecology & Evolution Paper Setting/Vetting (2018–2021); CSIR-NET Paper Setting (2020); KVPY Paper Setting, Vetting & Interviews (2017–2021).
Journal Manuscript Referee
Science, Nature, Nature Communications, PNAS, Molecular Biology and Evolution, GigaScience, Genome Biology and Evolution, Frontiers in Immunology, PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Scientific Reports, BMC Evolutionary Biology, BMC Genomics, G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics, Current Medicinal Chemistry, Journal of Proteomics, Toxins, Toxicon, FEBS Letters, Biochemie, Molecules, Theoretical Ecology, Journal of Molecular Evolution, PLOS ONE, Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C, MDPI Insects, Current Science, and Herpetological Journal.
International & National Grant Reviewer
European Research Council (ERC), National Science Foundation (NSF, USA), Wellcome Trust (UK), Natural Environment Research Council (NERC, UK), Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance (UK–India), Australian Research Council (ARC Discovery Projects), Science Foundation Ireland, Department of Biotechnology (DBT, India), Department of Science and Technology (DST, India), Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB, India), and Rufford Small Grants Foundation.
05
Research & Translational Funding
28 Grants| # | Grant & Funding Agency | Category | Total Grant | Duration / Sanction | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 |
AI-Accelerated Biodiscovery from Venoms (Startup Incubation & Seed)
Venomics AI Pvt. Ltd., India
|
Venture / Industry | ₹25,50,00,000 ₹25.5 Cr | 01.10.2026 – Present (2 yrs) | Founder & Director |
| 02 |
Anthropic for Science Grant (First in India)
Anthropic, USA
|
Extramural | ₹25,00,000 ₹0.25 Cr | 01.06.2026 – 2028 (2 yrs) | Principal Investigator |
| 03–05 |
35th General Assembly of the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS) — Theme: Biodiversity Forever Despite the Anthropocene
DBT-CTEP (₹6L), Indian Institute of Science (₹5L) & Anusandhan National Research Foundation / ANRF (₹3L)
|
Conference | ₹14,00,000 ₹0.14 Cr (3 grants) | Feb – Apr 2026 | Organizer / PI |
| 06 |
ICMR Intermediate Grant: Discovery and expression of recombinant camelid antibodies against ‘Big Four’ Indian snakes for snakebite diagnosis and treatment
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Govt. of India (with Dr. Bhushan Toley)
|
Extramural | ₹8,00,00,000 ₹8.0 Cr | 01.11.2025 – 01.11.2029 (4 yrs) | Principal Investigator |
| 07 |
REDB Research Grant
Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore
|
Extramural | ₹5,00,000 ₹0.05 Cr | 2025 (0.3 yrs) | Principal Investigator |
| 08 |
Preclinical Analyses of Medically Important Snake Venoms from Northeast India and Evaluation of Phytosolutions as Auxiliary Therapies for Snakebite Envenomation
The Hamish Ogston Foundation, UK
|
International | ₹1,20,00,000 ₹1.20 Cr | 3 Years | Principal Investigator |
| 09 |
Detection of Biting Snake Species from Clinical Samples (Development of Snakebite Diagnostics)
The Hamish Ogston Foundation, UK
|
International | ₹78,00,000 ₹0.78 Cr | 01.02.2022 – 31.01.2023 (Completed) | Principal Investigator |
| 10 |
Production of India's First Regional Antivenom
Bharat Serums and Vaccines Ltd., India
|
Industry | ₹25,00,000 ₹0.25 Cr | 06.05.2022 – 2025 (3 yrs, Completed) | Principal Investigator |
| 11 |
Cross-Neutralisation Potential of PANF African 14 Antivenoms
Premium Serums & Vaccines Pvt. Ltd., India
|
Industry | ₹9,07,029 ₹0.09 Cr | 01.12.2021 – 01.12.2022 (Completed) | Principal Investigator |
| 12 |
Venomics and Antivenomics of Medically Important African Snakes
VINS Bioproducts Ltd., India
|
Industry | ₹15,53,420 ₹0.16 Cr | 01.11.2021 – 01.11.2022 (Completed) | Principal Investigator |
| 13 |
VISHAM: Venom Institute for Snakebite Health and Advanced Medicine (The Indian Venom Research Unit)
Department of IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka, India
|
Extramural | ₹10,00,00,000 ₹10.0 Cr | 01.07.2021 – 01.04.2026 (5 yrs) | Principal Investigator |
| 14 |
Novel Platforms to Develop Polyspecifically-Effective, Safe, Affordable and Thermostable Monoclonal Camelid VHH Nanobodies to Treat Snake Venom-Induced Necrosis in India and Sub-Saharan Africa
Wellcome Trust, UK (with LSTM UK, IAVI USA, K-SRIC Kenya, Univ. of Bristol UK)
|
International | ₹10,65,00,000 £913,750 | 01.08.2021 – 31.03.2026 (Completed) | Co-Investigator |
| 15 |
Progressing Existing Snake Venom Toxin-Specific Antibodies into Humanised, Thermostable Monoclonal Therapies for Preclinical Manufacture and Clinical Trials in Africa and India (SRPNTS Continuation)
Wellcome Trust, UK (with RA Harrison & D Sok, IAVI USA)
|
International | ₹2,59,00,000 £224,178.90 | 16.07.2021 – 18.07.2025 (Completed) | Co-Investigator |
| 16 |
Antibody Discovery and Development Against Non-Immunogenic Snake Venom Toxins
Wellcome Trust, UK (with Joseph Jardine, IAVI USA)
|
International | ₹1,42,11,219 $190,576 | 01.07.2021 – 31.12.2024 (Completed) | Co-Investigator |
| 17 |
Capacity Development Grant
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), UK
|
International | ₹1,74,60,488 £174,150 | 01.04.2021 – 30.03.2023 (Completed) | Co-Investigator |
| 18 |
Wellcome Trust / DBT India Alliance Intermediate Fellowship
DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance, UK–India
|
Extramural | ₹3,60,00,000 ₹3.60 Cr | 01.09.2020 – 31.08.2025 (5 yrs) | Principal Investigator |
| 19 |
Fangs in the Ghats: Venomics and Antivenomics of Pit Vipers from the Indian Western Ghats
The Hamish Ogston Foundation & Global Snakebite Initiative, UK–Global
|
International | ₹46,70,700 ₹0.47 Cr | 15.09.2020 – 31.12.2021 (Completed) | Principal Investigator |
| 20 |
Establishing Quality Analyses Protocols for Indian and African Snake Venoms
VINS Bioproducts Ltd., India
|
Industry | ₹10,00,000 ₹0.10 Cr | 01.07.2020 – 31.04.2021 (Completed) | Principal Investigator |
| 21 |
Formulation and Preclinical Evaluation of the Second-Generation Indian Antivenom
Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd. (SIIPL)
|
Industry | ₹20,00,000 ₹0.20 Cr | 10.04.2019 – 31.12.2021 (Completed) | Principal Investigator |
| 22 |
Biological Science Interdisciplinary Proposal
DBT–IISc Internal Funding, Indian Institute of Science (with Dr. Chetan Thakur)
|
Intramural | ₹3,00,000 ₹0.03 Cr | 10.04.2019 (1 yr) | Principal Investigator |
| 23 |
Neutralising Efficacies of Conventional Indian Antivenoms
Madras Crocodile Bank Trust & Centre for Herpetology / USV Pvt. Ltd., India
|
Industry | ₹50,00,000 ₹0.50 Cr | 26.02.2018 – 31.05.2019 (Completed) | Principal Investigator |
| 24 |
Scientific Research Partnership for Neglected Tropical Snakebite (SRPNTS)
Department for International Development (DFID), UK (with LSTM, IAVI, IPR Kenya, BUK Nigeria)
|
International | ₹4,50,00,000 £408,257 (₹4.09–4.50 Cr) | 01.08.2018 – 31.03.2021 (Completed) | Co-Investigator |
| 25 |
Ramanujan Fellowship
Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Govt. of India
|
Extramural | ₹35,00,000 ₹0.35 Cr | 01.04.2018 (Not taken) | Principal Investigator |
| 26 |
IISc Faculty Startup Grant
Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore
|
Intramural | ₹1,00,00,000 ₹1.00 Cr | 21.09.2017 (1 yr) | Principal Investigator |
| 27 |
INSPIRE Faculty Award
Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India
|
Extramural | ₹35,00,000 ₹0.35 Cr | 10.08.2017 – 31.03.2021 | Principal Investigator |
| 28 |
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) & Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship
Australian Research Council (₹1.93 Cr, Relinquished) & European Commission (₹1.42 Cr, Completed)
|
International | ₹3,35,00,000 ₹1.42 Cr + ₹1.93 Cr | 2015 – 2017 | Principal Investigator |
06
Patents, Software & Translational Innovation
Patent Filed · #202541032415
An antigen-binding fragment or antibody against snake venom metalloproteinases, corresponding methods, composition, and kit thereof
Bioinformatics Software Platform
IMPACT_S: Integrated Multiprogram Platform to Analyze and Combine Tests of Selection
Biotherapeutic Translation · Industry
Second-Generation & India’s First Regional Antivenoms
AI & Biosensor Diagnostics · IISc
AI Electrophoretic Venom Identification & AuNP-Aptamer Biosensors
07
Teaching, Supervision & Mentorship
Graduate Courses Taught at IISc 2018–2025
Evolutionary Genetics (3 Credits · Taught Alone)
Jan 2023 (87 students) · Jan 2024 (13 students) · Jan 2025 (36 students)
Multi-omics Approaches in Biology (BC 207 · 2–3 Credits)
Feb 2021 (53 students) · Jan 2022 (54 students) · Jointly with Prof. Utpal Tatu
Evolutionary Biology (EC 204 / DB 209 · 3 Credits)
Jan 2018, Jan 2019, Jan 2020, Feb 2020, Jan 2022 · Jointly with Prof. Praveen Karanth
General Biology (3 Credits)
Aug 2024 (29 students, Jointly with Prof. Saskya van Nouhuys) · Sep 2022 (40 students)
Integrative Approaches in Biology (EC 205 · 2 Credits)
Jan 2019 (49 students) · Jointly with Prof. Utpal Tatu
Training Schools & Field Capacity Building
- 2018–2023 Course Coordinator, DST-SERB Schools in Chemical Ecology (IISc & NCBS; 15-day national residential schools funded at ₹20–25 Lakhs each)
- Sep 2022 Invited Faculty, European Venom Network: Introductory Venomics Training School (100+ international students)
- 2017–2023 Outreach & Field Workshops: Snake rescue & snakebite management training for Rajasthan Forest Dept. & Border Security Force (BSF, Bikaner), ICAR-National Research Centre on Camels (Bikaner), Govt. Dungar College (Bikaner), and Karnataka Forest Dept. (Bhadra & Nagarhole Tiger Sanctuaries)
Research Supervision & Mentorship 110+ Mentored
110+
Total Mentored in Lab (Incl. Interns)
18
Postdocs & Visiting Scientists
17
PhD & Integrated PhD Scholars
25
Master’s Dissertation Students
28
Project Associates & Research Staff
24+
Undergraduate & PG Research Interns
- 2017–Present Total Researchers & Students Mentored (110+): Comprehensive research supervision across postdoctoral fellows, doctoral and integrated PhD scholars, Master’s dissertation students, project associates/assistants, visiting scientists, and undergraduate/postgraduate interns at the Evolutionary Venomics Lab, IISc.
- Doctoral PhD & Integrated PhD Supervision (17 Scholars): 9 PhD Scholars and 8 Integrated PhD Scholars (3 graduated, 14 ongoing).
- Postdoctoral Postdoctoral & Visiting Researchers (18 Fellows): 15 Postdoctoral Fellows / Research Associates and 3 International & National Visiting Scientists.
- Trainees Dissertation Students, Project Staff & Interns (75+ Mentored): 25 Master’s dissertation students, 28 project associates and research assistants, and 24+ short-term and summer research interns.
08
Plenary, Keynote & Invited Talks
84 Engagements- 11–16 Oct 2026Invited Speaker, 9th Venoms to Drugs Conference (V2D2026), Australia.
- 13–17 Sep 2026Invited Speaker, 23rd World Congress of the International Society on Toxinology (IST), Manaus, Brazil.
- 05 Aug 2026Expert Speaker, National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE) Meeting on Venom Collection Centres across India, Government of India.
- 18 Jul 2026Invited Speaker, Society of Biological Chemists (SBC) Meeting 2026.
- 06 Jul 2026Invited Speaker, CSIR – National Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India.
- 09–13 Jun 2026Invited Speaker & Session Chair, 35th General Assembly of the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS) — Neglected Tropical Diseases, IISc, Bangalore.
- 27 May 2026Invited Speaker, Two-Day National Symposium on Transforming Venom Biology Into Therapeutic Insight: Connecting Molecules, Mechanisms and Medicine, University of Mysore.
- 25 May 2026Invited Speaker, Snakebite Envenoming Management, Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS), School of Public Health (SPH).
- 17–22 May 2026Invited Speaker, Gordon Research Conference on Venom Evolution, Function and Biomedical Applications, Barcelona, Spain.
- 26–27 Feb 2026Invited Speaker, Monoclonal Antibody Symposium: Discovery & Early Development of Novel Biologics, THSTI, Faridabad.
- 24 Feb 2026Invited Speaker, Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi.
- 06–09 Dec 2025Invited Speaker, From Cell to Therapeutics — Annual Meeting of the Indian Society of Cell Biology, IIT Kanpur.
- 05 Dec 2025Invited Speaker, Collaborative Academic Research Excellence (CARE) Conference — Molecules to Medicine: Bioengineering for One Health, IIT Madras.
- 20–24 May 2025Invited Speaker, Sustainable Healthcare from Biological Resources, BITS Pilani, Goa.
- 28–30 Apr 2025Invited Speaker, Manipal Research Colloquium 2025, Manipal, Karnataka.
- 18–19 Apr 2025Invited Speaker, 2-Day Scoping Workshop on Snake Conservation in the Western Ghats, Lonavala, Pune, Maharashtra.
- 26–27 Feb 2025Invited Speaker, 10th Biennial Indian Peptide Symposium, IISER Pune.
- 24 Jan 2025Invited Speaker, Regional Stakeholder Meeting on Technology in Healthcare (VIT, National Disease Modelling Consortium & IIT Bombay), VIT Chennai.
- 15–17 Jan 2025Invited Speaker, NCBS Annual Talks 2025, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore.
- 15 Jan 2025Invited Participant, Planning Meeting for Human-Snake Conflict Mitigation, Wildlife Trust of India.
09
Publications
103 Published* Equal contribution @ Corresponding author Since joining IISc: 50 published/accepted works (36 as corresponding author)