I am broadly interested in understanding the role of the interaction between various biotic and abiotic forces in shaping distribution ranges and morphological traits. I have adopted a combination of macro and microevolutionary approaches to obtain a more holistic understanding of the processes underlying the observed patterns. So far, I have worked on biogeography, phylogeography, conservation genomics, trait evolution and taxonomy of various genera of molluscs, lizards and Asian elephants. A more detailed description of my research themes can be found below.

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1. Biogeography and diversification:

The historical biogeographic origins of the biota of the Indian subcontinent are incredibly complex owing to its plate tectonic history. Moreover, the varied physiography and climate of the subcontinent gave rise to many in situ radiations. Much of my work deals with deciphering how the tectonic movement of the Indian plate and the paleoclimatic changes shaped the range evolution of Indian lineages and their subsequent evolution. A through understanding of past processes can equip us with tools to predict how future changes including the anthropogenic climate change will impact biodiversity.

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2. Phylogeography, conservation genomics and landscape genomics:

South Asia lacks a major phylogeographic paradigm, unlike the temperate region or tropical Southeast Asia. To fill the gap in knowledge, I aim to study phylogeographic patterns in multiple co-distributed species and uncover how certain properties like life history, physiology or morphology govern these patterns. At the same time, I would like to understand the role played by the major physiographic features and past climatic changes in dictating the phylogeographic patterns.

Incidentally, phylogeographic studies also help us understand the threats posed by anthropogenic factors. I plan to use genomic data to understand the population genetic structure of various Indian organisms and the threats faced by each of these population clusters in terms of genetic diversity, recent population size change and accumulation of deleterious alleles.

I further aim to understand how landscape features including anthropogenic structures govern the genetic structure and diversity of various organisms. I plan to study this within a landscape genomic framework using genomic and landscape ecological data.

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3. Taxonomy:

Much of the biodiversity is still unknown to science. Documenting and describing this underestimated diversity is the first step towards understanding the ecology and evolutionary trajectory of that group. I plan on using multiple lines of evidence, molecular, morphological and ecological, to delimit species and describe them. This will not only imperative for basic science but also for the conservation of the group.

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4. Trait evolution:

I am interested in studying trait evolution within a population genomic and phylogenetic framework. On one hand, I try to decipher the genomic underpinnings of complex traits such as colour and understand the evolutionary and ecological significance of the traits. On the other hand, I attempt to understand how traits such as habitat preference evolved in taxonomic categories above the species level and how they shaped the diversification of the group.