Somasish Ghosh Dastidar, M.Sc., M.S., Ph.D. 

Principal Investigator

Dr. Dastidar was born in Eastern India in the quiescent town of Chinsurah by the river Ganges. He did his Bachelors in Microbiology from the University of Pune, Maharashtra and his Masters in Biotechnology from Visva Bharati University, West Bengal. During his Masters he did a thesis project on the role of Aeromonas hydrophila in the etiology of epizootic ulcerative syndrome with Prof. Shibnath Mazumder. Later he worked briefly with Prof. Swadesh Ranjan Biswas of Visva Bharati University where he worked on the identification of a food grade preservative Nicin. Dastidar moved to the US and obtained a MS & PhD in Cell and Molecular biology from the University of Texas at Dallas. Dr. Dastidar did his graduate work in the lab of Prof. Santosh D’Mello, University of Texas at Dallas, where he investigated the role of transcription factors, in the modulation of neuronal survival/apoptosis and the underlying mechanism(s) behind these processes.

After his PhD, Dastidar decided to join the laboratory of Prof. Albert La Spada, who has developed an extensive research program in neurodegeneration and neurotherapeutics, and notably for the tremendous fertile research environment in UCSD and its adjoining institutes in San Diego. Dr. La Spada is credited for the discovery of trinucleotide repeats in the etiology of Spino-Bulbar Muscular Atrophy, the first in a series of many repeat nucleotide disorders. During his postdoctoral training Dastidar built on his foundation, to learn microarray analysis to study miRNA expression & regulation patterns, generation of sophisticated transgenic mice models, characterization of the mice behavioural and histopathological analysis, stereotactic surgery for delivery of lentivirus or drugs in different parts of the brain, stem cell modelling and CRISPR/Cas9 based genome editing and a host of cell biological processes such as autophagy, stress granule biology, unfolded protein response, proteasomal machinery, nucleolar stress critical for cell homeostasis Dr. Somasish has extensive expertise in making and characterizing transgenic mice, working with knock in mice and triple transgenic mice. He uses animal cell lines, primary neuronal cells, primary glial cells and induced Pluripotent Stem cells as models to test his scientific hypothesis with a clear and defined focus on identifying genetic targets for therapeutic possibilities. Somasish has published in Cell Metabolism, Acta Neuropathologica, Nature Neuroscience, Journal of Neuroscience, Journal of Biological Chemistry, Journal of Clinical Investigation, eLife, Cell Reports, GeroScience etc. Somasish has mentored over 30 undergraduate and graduate students during his PhD and postdoctoral training. Currently he is mentoring 2 postdoctoral scholars, 7 PhD scholars and co guiding 4 Phd scholars. Dastidar enjoys mentoring budding scientists (M.Sc and B.Sc) and is very passionate about it.

Out of the lab, Dastidar enjoys having a stroll by the Malpe Beach or End-point, visiting the Krishna Temple, cooking and oil-painting. He remains much attached to his family and friends. If you are visiting Manipal, Somasish would gladly be your tour guide!

Rajarshi Bhattacharya, M.Sc., Ph.D.

ICMR Research Scientist-I (Post-Doctoral Fellow)

Rajarshi completed his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Molecular Microbiology at Visva-Bharati (A Central University), Santiniketan, West Bengal, India specializing in genome editing, Food grade drug formulation and biomedical applications such as oncology and irritable bowel syndrome, under the mentorship of Prof. Swadesh Ranjan Biswas & Dr. Sukhendu Mandal. In his postdoctoral tenure, Rajarshi has delved into the implications of oxidative stress, mitochondrial biology, autophagy, neuroinflammation and chaperone systems in PD. Rajarshi has significant experience with experiments on mice and employs mammalian cell lines, primary neuronal and glial cells, as well as induced pluripotent stem cells to test his scientific hypotheses. His work is geared toward identifying genetic targets for therapeutic applications. Outside the lab, Rajarshi enjoys leisurely walks along Delta Point, Kodi, or Maravanthe Beach, and visiting the Krishna Temple. He values quality time with his family and friends and is known for being a fun-loving companion. Additionally, he has a passion for animals and aquarium fish.

VenkataSurya kumar, B.Pt, M.Sc (Medical Anatomy)

Graduate Student, Predoctoral candidate

Surya hails from a remote village called Devarajupalli. Venkata pursued his Bachelor of Physiotherapy from Sri Balaji Institute of Surgery Research and Rehabilitation for the Disabled (BIRRD). BIRRD is a premier medical institute that treats patients suffering from polio, cerebral palsy, congenital anomalies, spinal injuries, and orthopedically disabled individuals. There, he was introduced to several congenital and developmental disorders, which created an interest in Anatomy.

Subsequently, he qualified for the Master’s program in Medical Anatomy at MAHE, the best three years of his life! His passion for teaching took him to AIIMS Bhopal, where he taught Anatomy for six years. Surya qualified for the TMA Pai PhD entrance examination and chose to join the Dastidar lab in the Center for Molecular Neurosciences. Surya focuses on enviornmental toxins during neuronal development. 

Surya's is a numismatic and a gardener! He loves classical music. He is an awesome dad, a biker and proud owner of the Royal Enfield.  Someday, he would like to possess a patent or write a book!

Sindhu Sree, B.Sc, M.Sc (Medical Biochemistry)

Graduate Student, Predoctoral candidate (UGC-SJSGC Fellow)

Sindhu was born in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, Southern India. She completed her bachelor's degree in Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Chemistry, and is a university topper in Biochemistry. She then pursued a Master’s degree in Medical Biochemistry at Kasturba Medical College. During her academic journey, she presented her research at national conferences and secured second rank in the prestigious Dr. TMA Pai PhD entrance examination. Upon joining the PhD program, she was awarded the Savitribai Jyotirao Phule fellowship from UGC. Sindhu's current research focuses on Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of Melioidosis, and Burkholderia cepacia, which is associated with Cystic Fibrosis. Her work explores host-pathogen interactions, the role of non-coding RNA, and protein translation in these bacteria.  Beyond her scientific pursuits, Sindhu is passionate about spending time with her family, painting, poetry, and stargazing at the beach. She is also dedicated to animal rescue and advocacy.