GROUP

Principal Investigator

Dr. Prasad Kasturi

I completed my Bachelor's degree in BSc (Botany, Zoology and Chemistry) from Silver Jubilee Govt Degree College, Kurnool and in Education (B.Ed) from Osmania University, Hyderabad. I obtained MSc (Biotechnology) from School of Biotechnology, Madurai Kamaraj University. After spending a year as a project assistant at CCMB, Hyderabad, I moved to Switzerland for PhD (Department of Biology, University of Fribourg). After getting PhD, I worked briefly as a visiting fellow at University of Lyon, France. Later, I moved to Max-Planck Institute for Biochemistry, Germany. I was in the lab of Prof. Ulrich Hartl at Max-Planck Institute for Biochemistry as a postdoc and group leader. I joined IIT-Mandi as Assistant Professor. [more]

PhD Scholars

Pritam Mukherjee, PhD Scholar

I am interested to understand the ways by which we can age healthy and live longer. Specifically finding the physiological relevance of protein condensates/ aggregates during aging in Caenorhabditis elegans. I did my under-graduation in Biotechnology from St. Xavier's College, Burdwan, and post-graduation in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics from North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong with DBT Studentship. I joined IIT Mandi in February, 2021.

If you don't find me working with worms, you'd see me writing blogs, playing cricket or travelling.

Rushali Kamath, PhD Scholar

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Before I started working with C. elegans during my Ph.D., I majored in Biochemistry during my master’s studies at the University of Mysore in 2020. I was a summer research fellow at JNU, New Delhi, working on GNE myopathy. I later worked briefly as a Junior Research Fellow at IIT Kharagpur, specializing in intrinsically disordered proteins after which I shifted my focus to stress proteome analysis. I am interested in the mechanisms of heat stress, and the role of small heat shock proteins in the C. elegans proteome.

Apart from research, you’d see me either traveling, cartooning, or writing.

Deepanshu Verma, PhD Scholar

I joined the lab in January 2023 as a Ph.D. scholar. I have completed my Master of Technology in Biotechnology from the Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. I have completed my Bachelor of Engineering degree in Biotechnology from Madhav Institute of Technology and Science, Gwalior. I have also qualified for DBT-JRF (2020) and GATE (2018 and 2020). I have previously worked on cancer biology in CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow, and in IIT Mandi, HP where I developed oral cancer models in mice and targeted MDR in cancer cell lines. Now, I work with genes that play a role in lifespan extension and aging using C. elegans as a model.

I also play table tennis, squash, and am an avid sports enthusiast. I also cook, trek, and love traveling to new places.

Prasun Kumar Bhunia, PhD Scholar

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I am keen to explore the mystery of healthy and longer life. More specifically, I want to link the bridge between the extracellular proteostasis network with protein aggregation during aging using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system. I completed my Bachelor's degree in Microbiology (Hons.) from Midnapore College (Autonomous) in 2020. Later I pursued my Master's in Microbiology from Madurai Kamaraj University, Tamilnadu in 2022. Soon after that, I joined IIT Mandi in August 2022 as a project JRF and converted to PhD in 2023.

I am an avid cricket enthusiast and love playing squash, and other sports along with pursuing painting as a hobby.

Priyanka Vimal, UGC CSIR-JRF

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Fascinated by the biology of aging, my research explores how genetic and dietary factors shape lifespan across populations. Growing up in the species-rich Himalayas and trained in Botany, the work draws inspiration from nature’s diversity to investigate how phytochemical compounds influence longevity and proteostasis using the C. elegans model. The current focus is on understanding molecular pathways that regulate aging and stress resilience, with an emphasis on natural molecules and their therapeutic potential. Apart from this, I have cleared a few competitive exams CSIR-NET JRF, GATE-XL etc.

Apart from research, you'd see me trekking, dancing or travelling.

Ocean Singh, PhD Scholar

Anamitra Sen, PhD Scholar

I am excited to understand the mystery of membrane-less organelles. Specifically, I am interested in investigating the Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) property of biomolecular condensates and its role in aging using C.elegans as a model system. I completed my B. Sc (Hons.) in Zoology from
Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Centenary College (RKMVCC), Kolkata in 2023 and M.Sc in Zoology from Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), Pune in 2025. I worked for one year on the LLPS properties of a transcription coactivator at the National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune. I gained expertise in sample preparation and operating SEM and TEM from Burdwan University and did TEM of Osteoblast cell line following a phytochemical treatment and performed image analysis in SPPU Pune, in collaboration with the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune. I cleared GATE BT in 2025 and GATE XL in 2024.
Beyond my dedication to research, I maintain a dynamic lifestyle by channelling my energy into biking and martial arts.

Tanuja Thakur, UGC CSIR-JRF

I joined the KP Lab at IIT Mandi as a PhD scholar in January 2026. I hold an M.Sc. in Zoology from Sardar Patel University, Mandi, and a B.Sc. in Life Sciences from Government College Karsog. My research interests lie in proteostasis, particularly the role of small heat shock proteins in cellular responses to heat stress in Caenorhabditis elegans. I am curious about how cells maintain protein homeostasis under stress conditions.
Outside the lab, I love listening to music and enjoy spending time in nature.

Project JRF

S. Gokuladoss

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I completed my Master’s in Biotechnology from Alagappa University, where I developed a strong interest in basic science research and molecular biology. During my studies, I carried out a one-year research project in C. elegans focused on transgenerational inheritance, which deepened my fascination with this model organism and its applications in understanding fundamental biological processes. I am especially interested in exploring how interacting molecules regulate protein homeostasis, protein fate, and cellular mechanisms involved in aging and other biological systems.

Apart from research, I enjoy watching movies and exploring nature.

Project Associate- I

Mansi Savita

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I joined the KP Lab at IIT Mandi as a project associate-l in July 2024.
I hold M.Sc. in Microbiology from Jiwaji University Gwalior, and B.Sc. in Industrial Microbiology from Government Girls PG College Gwalior. Currently, I am working as a research intern and I am curious in learning about the double-mutant firefly luciferase as sensor of proteostasis imbalance.

Apart from the lab I love to playing badminton, listening music, drawing and cooking.