Ph.D. Scholars
SARMISTHA OJHA
I am primarily a student of Anthropology and my research interests lie in primatology where I am interested in studying the social behavior, feeding ecology, and communication systems of nonhuman primates. Currently, I am pursuing Ph.D. in Zoology at Jain (Deemed-to-be) University, Bangalore under the guidance of Dr. Chetan Nag K.S where I am studying the behavioral ecology of Nilgiri langurs (Semnopithecus johnii) in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
Research Interests: Evolutionary anthropology, social anthropology, cognitive psychology, and primate behavioural ecology
Education:
B.Sc. Honors (Anthropology, 2016) - Vivekananda College for Women, University of Calcutta, Kolkata
M.Sc. (Biological Anthropology, 2018) - Ballygunge Science College, University of Calcutta in Kolkata
Ph.D.(Zoology, January 2021 Batch)- Jain (Deemed to be University) Bengaluru, Karnataka
Awards/Honors
UGC-NET - JRF (Junior Research Fellow) - December 2019
Publications:
2025
Ojha, S., Chatterjee, A., Mahato, S., Nag K S C., Kumara, H N., Singh, M. 2025. Life in transit: Habitat use, behavioural profile and feeding ecology by Nilgiri langur (Semnopithecus johnii) in a fragmented evergreen habitat of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Western Ghats, India. Current Science ( Accepted).
2023
Sinha, S. K., Mahato, S., Hazari, P., Ojha, S., Jana, N., Pandya, N., ... & Bhattacharyya, S. (2023). Flies in the high for floral hike? Altitudinal variation in species diversity and composition of Diptera (Insecta) in the eastern Himalaya, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 15(11), 24241-24254.
2020
Ojha, S., Pal, B., and Maji, S., (2020). Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) behavior in captivity at the Zoological Garden, Kolkata, India: An exploratory study. Journal of Indian Anthropological Society. 55: 64-86.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/360235566_Chimpanzees_Pan_troglodytes_behaviour_in_captivity_at_the_Zoological_Garden_Kolkata_India_An_exploratory_study
Conference Paper
2024
2021
Ojha, S., Nag, K.S.C and Kumara, H.N. (2024). An insight into the daily life of a leaf-eating monkey: Time-Activity budget and space usage of Nilgiri langur (Semnopithecus johnii) in Anamalai Tiger Reserve. In AIP 2nd Conference, University of Mysore, Karnataka, India. 9-11th February 2024.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/388411979_An_insight_into_the_daily_life_of_a_leaf-eating_monkey_TimeActivity_budget_and_Space_usage_of_Nilgiri_langur_Semnopithecus_johnii_in_Anamalai_Tiger_Reserve
Ojha, S., Nag, K.S.C and Kumara, H.N. (2021). Can we be heard and seen? A comprehensive review of acoustic communication of Nilgiri langurs (Semnopithecus johnii) and their implications to conservation biology. In 44 th National Conference on Animal Behaviour (Virtual), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. 23-24 th December, 2021.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/358497159_Can_we_be_heard_and_seen_A_comprehensive_review_of_acoustic_communication_of_Nilgiri_langurs_Semnopithecus_johnii_and_their_implications_to_conservation_biology
SURAJ DILIP NAGTILAK
I am primarily a Biotechnology graduate and Nature enthusiast. Currently working on Distribution, Phylogeny & Biogeography of freshwater Mollusc (snail) family, for my Ph.D at CUBEC, Jain University, Bengaluru. Previously I have worked on “Hybridisation in South Indian Langurs”
Research Interest: Ecology, Wildlife Biology, Evolutionary Biology, and Molecular phylogenetics.
Education:
BSc (2020)- RGIBT, Bharti Vidyapeeth University, Pune
MSc (Biotechnology,2022) - Jain University, Bangalore
Ph.D. (Zoology, August 2022 Batch)- Jain (Deemed to be University) Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Publications:
2024
2022
Mahato, S., Suraj, N., Nag, K S C., Muhashin Asaf, V. N., Deena, P. N., Kumara, H. N., & Singh, M. (2024). Where do the langurs criss-cross? Spatial understanding of group composition and habitat of mixed-species groups of Nilgiri langur (Semnopithecus johnii) and tufted grey langur (Semnopithecus priam) across the Western Ghats, India. Mammalia
Nag, K.S.C & Suraj, N. 2022. Leucistic macaque from Southern Western Ghats. Mendeley Data, V1,
doi: 10.17632/gwgjrwt5yf.1
BRAMHI CHOUGULE
Understanding the genetic makeup and population dynamics of endangered species is crucial for their conservation. My research focuses on the population genetics of the endangered Kondana Soft-furred Rat. By studying its population size, gene flow, genetic differentiation, genetic diversity, and inbreeding, I aim to gather insights that will aid in the protection and management of this species. Environmental pressures and human activities pose significant threats to its survival, making this research vital for developing effective conservation strategies.
Research Interest: Conservation genetics, Molecular ecology
Education:
B.Sc. (2020) -Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune
M.Sc. (Biotechnology, 2022)- Jain University, Bengaluru
Ph.D. (Zoology, August 2022 Batch)- Jain (Deemed to be University) Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Publications:
2023
Bramhi, S C., & Nag, K.S.C. 2023. Identifying the Linnean Shortfalls and the Prominence of DNA Barcodes in Urban Areas: Reviews and Reflections from Indian Cities. In Justin A. Daniels (Ed.), Advances in Environmental Research. Vol 95: 181-198 pp. Nova Science publishers, Inc, USA.
Varalakshmi Nadumane, Bramhi Suresh Chougule; Kumar Gaurav; Mutthu Kumar; Nayana Mahadevaprasad; Nisarga HK; Sreya Lakshmi Ponnada; Somasekhara Derangula. 2023. Proteomic analysis of liver cancer- HepG2 cells reveals FAT10 and BAG2 signaling pathways affected by a Protease Inhibitor purified from Tinospora cordifolia leads to apoptosis. Toxicology in Vitro (Submitted)
AMITH S J
I am currently a Ph.D. student in Zoology at Jain (Deemed-to-be) University, Bangalore, under the guidance of Dr. Chetan Nag K.S. I am currently exploring to understand urban animal adaptations in an urban heat island scenario. Specifically, I shall be exploring ecological, phenotypical changes of Geckos for my Ph.D. study to understand how natural selection might be shaping Urban evolution trajectory.
Research Interest: Urban evolutionary ecology, Neuroscience, and cognitive biology
Education:
BSc (2020): Christ (Deemed to be University), Bangalore.
M.Sc.(Zoology, 2022): Christ(Deemed-to-be-University), Bangalore
Ph.D. (Zoology, August 2022 Batch): Jain (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, India
Publications:
2024
Amith S J & Nag, K.S.C. (2024). "Morphometric Trait Variations of Hemidactylus parvimaculatus Gecko Individuals Along an Urban-Rural Gradient in Bengaluru, India". In. 5th Conference of the Indian Society of Evolutionary Biologists. Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. 17th -19th October 2024. p 53.
Shalini, T., Amith, S. J. and Nag, K. S. C. (2024). A review of Szulkin, M., J. Munshi-South, and A. Charmantier, eds. 2020. Urban Evolutionary Biology. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 303 pp. ISBN 978-0-19-883685-8. Journal of Animal Diversity, 6 (1): 21–22. http://dx.doi.org/10.22034/JAD.2024.6.1.3
SHALINI TUDU
I hold a Masters Degree in Zoology with a keen interest in Disease Ecology, Zoonosis, and the One Health approach. I am currently pursuing my Ph.D. at Jain University, Bengaluru, under the guidance of Dr. Chetan Nag K.S., focusing on hygiene practices, pathogen prevalence, ectoparasite presence, and risk assessments in abattoirs. My research aims to investigate the influence of human activities on the diversity, distribution, and health of animal species in urban environments, with a particular emphasis on pathogen transmission and zoonotic disease risks.
Research Interest: Wildlife Biology, Urban Ecology, Climate Change & Conservation
Education:
BSc (2020): Christ (Deemed to be University), Bangalore.
M.Sc.(Zoology, 2022): Christ(Deemed-to-be-University), Bangalore
Ph.D. (Zoology, January 2023 Batch): Jain (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, India
Publications:
2024
Shalini, T., Amith, S. J. and Nag, K. S. C. (2024). A review of Szulkin, M., J. Munshi-South, and A. Charmantier, eds. 2020. Urban Evolutionary Biology. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 303 pp. ISBN 978-0-19-883685-8. Journal of Animal Diversity, 6 (1): 21–22. http://dx.doi.org/10.22034/JAD.2024.6.1.3
SANTOSH SUTAR
Research Interests: Plant Biology, Plant Ecology, Taxonomy & Systamatics
Period: August 2024- Current
Publications:
GANESH N
Research Interests: Plant Taxonomy, Plant Tissue Culture, Plant Ecology and Biodiversity
Education:
MASTER OF SCIENCE (2021-2023)- Bengaluru City University, BOTANY
BACHELORS OF SCIENCE(2018-2021)- National College, Basavanagudi, CHEMISTRY BOTANY ZOOLOGY (CBZ)
PUC(2016-2018) – National PU College, Jayanagar
SSLC (2016) – Shree Chaitanya Educational Society
Period: August 2024- Current
Publications:
GAGAN KINI G
Research Interests: Plant Biology, Plant Ecology, Taxonomy & Systamatics
Education:
MASTER OF SCIENCE (2021-2023)- Bengaluru City University, BOTANY|
BACHELORS OF SCIENCE(2018-2021)- Vijaya College, RV Road, CHEMISTRY BOTANY ZOOLOGY (CBZ)
PUC(2016-2018) – Deeksha Jnana Sweekar PU College
SSLC (2016) – Janak Vidyalaya
Period: August 2024- Current
Fellowships awarded : INSPIRE Fellowship to Research Student ( IF240068)- 2025
Publications:
D BINDU MADHAVI
Research Interests: Plant Ecology, Plant Tissue Culture, Ethnobotany, Plant Embryology and Plant Taxonomy
Education:
MASTER OF SCIENCE (2021-2023)- Bengaluru University, BOTANY
BACHELORS OF SCIENCE (2018-2021)- Loyola degree college, Manvi
PUC (2016-2018)- Loyola pu college, Manvi
SSLC (2016)- Xavier school, Manvi
Period: August 2024- Current
Publications:
Publications: