About Me
I am a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Oklahoma (OU).

At OU, I am part of Dr. Cecil M. Lewis, Jr.'s research group within the Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research (LMAMR). We are located in the Stephenson Research and Technology Center in Norman, OK.

My research uses ancient DNA to study the evolution of human pathogens. Specifically, I am interested in the origins and evolutionary histories of the pathogens causing tuberculosis and leprosy. I am also working on projects studying the evolution of the human microbiome.

Research Interests
Pathogen Evolution; Zoonotic Diseases; Ancient DNA; Human Microbiome; Tuberculosis; Leprosy; ​Bioinformatics

Background
I was born and brought up in Pune, India. I completed my high school education (grades 1-10) from Abhinava Vidyalaya English Medium School and grades 11-12 from Fergusson College.

I obtained my B.Sc. in Microbiology (with a minor in Industrial Microbiology) from Abasaheb Garware College, India, in 2010, followed by an M.Sc. in Virology from the National Institute of Virology, India, in 2012. 

In 2017, I completed my Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology from Arizona State University (ASU). I was co-advised in my doctoral research by Dr. Anne C. Stone, Regents' Professor, School of Human Evolution and Social Change, and Dr. Michael S. Rosenberg, Associate Professor, School of Life Sciences.

Working in the Ancient DNA Laboratory, ASU

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When I am not doing science, I love travelling, reading, and geeking out over sci-fi TV shows.