Prof. Sanjeev Galande
Dr. Galande obtained his PhD in Biochemistry from the Indian Institute of Science in 1996. As a postdoctoral fellow at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, USA from 1996-2001, he studied cancer biology. Dr. Galande joined the National Centre for Cell Science in Pune, India in 2001 as a senior scientist. In 2010 Dr. Galande joined as a Professor at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER Pune). Research in Galande laboratory is focused on studying how the dynamic changes in higher-order chromatin assembly govern gene expression in a spatial and temporal manner. In 2021, Dr. Galande joined as the Dean of the School of Natural Sciences at Shiv Nadar University (SNU), Delhi NCR. At SNU, Dr. Galande also leads the Centre of Excellence in Epigenetics (CoEE) and assembled a team of scientists to study the evolution of epigenetic mechanisms using multiple model systems. The CoE in Epigenetics focuses on epigenetic modifications underlying a variety of biologically important phenomena and their role in gene expression, regeneration, cancer, behavior, aging and evolution. To fulfill these goals Dr. Galande has established a multidisciplinary program engaged at the interface of biochemistry, molecular biology, bioinformatics, cell biology, proteomics and genomics.
Meet The Team
Dr. Dipika Yadav
Post Doctoral Fellow
After completing my doctoral research work in eukaryotic transcriptional regulation, I
decided to change the field since I was always fascinated by neurobiology. I wondered how dynamic gene expression can manipulate brain function. With this inquisitiveness in mind, I got a chance to explore this aspect in Sanjeev’s Lab where I have joined as a DBT-RA. I am interested in studying the role of ncRNA mediated epigenomic regulation during neurogenesis. Apart from this I like to explore spirituality. I like cooking, listening to music, yoga and meditation.
Mail Me @: dipika.yadav@gmail.com
Dr. Sushma Vishwakarma
Post Doctoral Fellow
I am from Uttar Pradesh. I obtained my doctoral degree in Molecular genetics from LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad. During my PhD, I developed keen interest to work further in the field of Epigenetics. Driven by my curiosity and to learn more, I joined Sanjeev’s lab in June 2023. Here, my research is focused at deciphering the functional regulation of chromatin organizer SATB1 in tumor microenvironment. Apart from research, I love to cook, listen to music, do handicraft and gardening.
Mail Me @: svishwakarma17@gmail.com
Dr. Ankita Sharma
Post Doctoral Fellow
I hail from Delhi. I completed my honors degree in Bio-medical sciences from University of Delhi and joined the same for a masters degree in Genetics. I joined Sanjeev's lab as a doctoral student in August 2015. My work primarily focuses on understanding transcriptional regulation of colorectal cancer and progression. Apart from research, I like reading books and sketching.
Mail Me @: ankita.sharma@snu.edu.in
Anirudh Pillai
PhD Fellow
I graduated from the UM-DAE CEBS, Mumbai in 2017 and then, after a brief stint in cancer biology at ACTREC, I joined Sanjeev's group in 2018 as a graduate student. I am studying the role of post-transcriptional gene regulation in the pre-bilaterian Hydra, which may yield epigenetic insights into the evolution of tissue homeostasis. I play badminton and sometimes volleyball to unwind.
Mail Me @: pillai.anirudh@gmail.com
Greg Dsilva
PhD Fellow, Senior Research Fellow
After completing a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from SLS, Manipal. I worked on autophagy and its role in neurodegenerative disorders at JNCASR. I later pursued my Masters in Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology from IBAB, Bengaluru. Following the completion of my degree, I joined Sanjeev’s lab in September 2019. I am interested in studying various aspects of neurodevelopment, specifically the role of SATB2 a chromatin organizer using zebrafish as a model organism. When I'm not working, I enjoy listening to music and photography.
Mail Me @: gregdsilva30@gmail.com
Ekta Gupta
PhD Fellow
I hail from Kolkata and have obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from the Heritage Institute of Technology, Kolkata in 2018. Thereafter, I did my post-graduation from IIT Ropar in Biomedical engineering where I worked in the non-coding RNAs lab. My M.Tech project was focused on finding the role of miRNAs in the regulation of RNA polymerase I that can be exploited for therapeutics in cancer. As a recipient of the Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship, I have joined Sanjeev’s laboratory in July 2020 for pursuing Doctoral studies in the field of cancer biology. My research interest is focused on unravelling the role of epigenetic regulation in colorectal cancer, which can pave novel options for therapeutic interventions targeting tumor development and metastasis. Besides research, I like playing badminton and enjoy cooking.
Mail me @: ektagupta41@gmail.com
Shagnik Saha
PhD Fellow
I am from Kolkata, and I completed my Integrated M.Sc in Biotechnology from St. Xavier’s College. I started working in Sanjeev’s group ‘virtually’ during my M.Sc dissertation project in 2020. The project involved bioinformatic approaches to analyse genome-wide datasets and predict putative enhancer RNAs in the context of regeneration. Driven by the urge to pursue research along this line, subsequently I joined as a PhD scholar in Sanjeev’s group at Shiv Nadar University, Delhi NCR. My key areas of interest involve the modulation of three-dimensional chromatin architecture, the role of non-coding RNA in epigenetic regulation, and environmental influence on gene expression and developmental biology. Other than research, I have keen interest in music and cooking.
Mail me @: saha.shagnik@gmail.com
Mansi Srivastava
PhD Fellow
I obtained my bachelor's degree in Life Science from the University of Delhi in 2020. I received a DBT Masters' fellowship, which led me to join Banasthali Vidyapeeth, where I specialized in biotechnology. I developed a deep fascination for neuroscience over the period, which prompted me to pursue it further. After my masters, I enrolled in the PhD program at Shiv Nadar University where I joined Sanjeev's lab. My doctoral research focuses on investigating the epigenetic mechanisms of adult neurogenesis. In addition to my scientific pursuits, I enjoy dancing, traveling, and photography
Mail me @: mansiisriivasatava@gmail.com
Vidur Choudhary
PhD Fellow
I completed my Integrated M.Tech in Biotechnology from Gautam Buddha University, Noida, in 2023. My dissertation project focused on immunomodulation in lung cancer, particularly macrophage polarisation. Following my enthusiasm for immunology, I enrolled in the PhD program at Shiv Nadar University, where I joined Sanjeev's lab in August 2023. My current project focuses on studying the molecular mechanisms of three-dimensional chromatin architecture modulation by the chromatin organizer SATB1 in T regulatory cell development and function. Besides my academic pursuits, I enjoy football, running, and reading literature.
Mail me @: vidurchoudhary5772@gmail.com
Project Students & Trainees
Pavan Dev G
JRF
Originally a resident of Bengaluru, I completed my Bachelors in Engineering in Biotechnology from BMS College of Engineering in 2021. Later, I graduated from IIT Guwahati in 2023 with a Masters in Technology in Biotechnology. Following that, I joined Sanjeev's lab as a Junior Research Fellow in the Cancer Biology group, where I am involved in studying the potential of the chromatin organizer SATB1 as a
target for cancer therapy using statins. While I am not working, you can find me listening to classic rock or metal, reading books, and exploring places.
Email: pavandev.govardhan@gmail.com
Vasundhara Verma
Research Assistant, SNU
I am currently a Research Assistant at Center of Excellence in Epigenetics, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, Delhi NCR. I previously completed my undergraduate studies with a BSc. Research degree in Biotechnology at the same institution. Since August 2023, I have been working in Sanjeev's lab, where I focus on using mouse models to understand how members of the SATB protein family affect the progression of colorectal cancer. My hobbies include running, hitting the gym and listening to music.
Saisha Padmanabhan
MS Project intern
I am currently pursuing my Integrated Master's in Biotechnology at VIT Vellore. My research interests lie in studying memory consolidation/retrieval, especially in the context of psychopathology, and the unique interplay between aberrant signal transduction pathways, neural circuits, and behavioral manifestations. I was particularly drawn to the interdisciplinary epigenetic research at the Galande lab, which led me to seek a dissertation project here. For my MS thesis project, I plan to study the role of chromatin organizer Satb2 in cognitive disorders using mice models. In my free time, I enjoy reading, exploring new places, and painting.
Amer Sohail
4th year project
I am from Hyderabad and currently pursuing my fourth-year dissertation of BSc Biotechnology program at Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence. I developed an interest in epigenetics and developmental biology, which motivated me to join Sanjeev’s lab in 2024 to pursue it further. My thesis focuses on understanding the crosstalk between SATB2 and YAP in the context of early development using zebrafish as a model organism. Outside the lab, you will find me playing volleyball, writing and working out in the gym.
Email: ss610@snu.edu.in
Sahil Dutta
4th year project
Presently, I’m doing my Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology at Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, Delhi NCR. As a joint thesis student with Drs Anil Challa and Sanjeev Galande in the CoEE lab, I am aiming to dissect the temporal requirement of a developmentally important protein during early embryonic development, using the zebrafish model system. I have a dual interest in embryogenesis and the neuroscience of learning & memory and aspire to work at the interface of the two in my future endeavors. Apart from being in the lab, I like to travel with family and friends, and spend some time sipping tea with my peers by the lake on campus!
Email: sahildutta30112003@gmail.com
Vani Nikunj
4th year project
I am from Ghaziabad Uttar Pradesh currently pursuing my fourth-year dissertation of BSc (Research) Biotechnology program at Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence. I developed a keen interest in neurodevelopment and epigenetics through various courses and this led me to joining Sanjeev’s lab. I work on understanding the role of SATB2 in neuronal development using mouse and embryonic stem cells as models. Apart from research I like playing basketball, reading, and listening to music
Email: vn418@snu.edu.in
Former Lab Members
Ph.D Students
Ayush Madhok
Sneha Tripathi
Ankita Sharma
Akhila Gungi
Saurabh Pradhan
Manu K. Unni
Ankitha Shetty
Indumathi Patta
Rini Shah
Kamal Vishnuprasad Gotimukkala
Post Doctoral Fellows
Dr. Rahul Agrawal
Dr. Mohd Tayyab
Dr. Akanksha Khandelwal
Dr. P. Chandramouli Reddy
Dr. Ajay Kumar Saw
Dr. Shruti Pokharkar
Dr. Amit Karole
Dr. Jasmine Kaur Dhall
Dr. Sapana Jalnapurkar
Dr. Ashwin Kelkar
Dr. Ameya Sathe
Dr. Rutika Naik
Dr. Satyajeet Khare
Dr. Ram Kulkarni
Dr. Vijaykumar Muley
Dr. Poornima Chandran
Dr. Shiny Titus
Dr. Suman Prasad
Dr. Madhujit Damle
Scientists
Dr. Anjali De Souza
Dr. Sneha Sagarkar
Dr. Smitha Sreedharan
Dr. Sonam Mehrotra
Dr. Krishnapal Karmodiya
Dr. Manjunath G P
Dr. Farhat Habib
Project Students & Trainees
Sara Sainani
Shreya Doijad
Tejas Kaundinya
Anju Babu
Isha Desai
M Sarath
Meghna joon
Sudiksha Mishra
Harshada Jadhav
Meghana Oak
Keshav Jha
Jitesh Seth
Devika Mahimkar
Gunjan Misri
Rahul Biradar
Charvee Ravichandran
Prateek Yadav
Swati Chaudhary
Mrinmoy Pal
Amruta Swaminathan
Project Students & Trainees
Samarpita Sen
Ameya Pore
Arkojyoti Goshal
Sudipta Sonar
Vishakha Kulkarni
Sudeshna Saha
Aditya Eklare
Manmita Shah
Prachi Wele
Juhi Arora
Sonali Pinge
Neha Oli
Priyanka Bansal
Suyog Ubhe
Suyash Naik
Rachel Paul
Progya Mukherjee
Pavana Lakshmi
Dipeshwari Shewale
Soumitra Athavale
Tejas Valke
Aditi Gavande
Nethra Tantrigoda
Rahul Sharma
Neha Sirwani
Mithila Burute
Geeta Palsule
Trupti Bhankhede
Rasika Lohokare