PEOPLE
Nisha N Kannan
Associate Professor
School of Biology, IISER TVM
I completed Master’s Degree in Biotechnology from Kannur University, Kerala. The insight I gained in research during master’s landed me in a PhD program at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bangalore. Chronobiology laboratory at JNACSR provided me a platform to pose questions and develop research approaches to answer those questions. Subsequently I joined Prof. Kenji Tomioka’s laboratory at Okayama University, Japan as a Postdoctoral fellow and my studies were focused towards elucidating molecular mechanism of thermal entrainment of the circadian clocks. I joined IISER Thiruvananthapuram as Assistant Professor in 2015 and I am a DBT/ Wellcome Trust India Alliance Early career fellow.
Apart from research, I like education outreach, travel and landscape photography, paining, art, crafts and spending time with kids.
I completed my Masters in Zoology from Sacred Heart College, Kochi and joined the Chronobiology Lab in Jan 2018. Deeply fascinated by the comparatively unexplored realm of biological rhythm and underlying molecular oscillations, I am working on the post transcriptional regulation of the major clock components namely their Micro RNA mediated control and regulation. I am also interested in exploring the neuronal mechanisms behind the generation of biological rhythm.
When out of the lab, reading literature articles and visiting art exhibitions are my favourite leisure time activites. I am also passionate about drawing,calligraphy and nail arts.
I received my Masters degree in Genomics from the School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University. I was fascinated with Chronobiology during my masters and was keen on studying the circadian rhythms and their intricate connections with the other systems. This led me to joining the Chronobiology lab at IISER Trivandrum as a PhD student in August 2018. I will be working on understanding the unexplored link between the circadian clock and metabolism using the versatile Drosophila as a model system.
Other interests of mine include science writing, dramatics, music and literature.
I completed my Bachelors degree from St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore. Science and research have always interested me. My major interests lie in understanding the physical basis of life. Brain is the most intriguing organ. Its connectivity and processivity is commendable. Though it is just like a computer extracting data it does the most extraordinary job - thinking. This gave me reasons to join the Chronobiology lab at IISER. I will be working on understanding the connections between sleep, sleep deprivation and memory.
My other interests are reading, painting and writing.
I completed my Master’s degree in Human Genetics from Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai. Chronobiology is a really intriguing subject, and the more I study circadian rhythms, the more it fascinates me. I joined the chronobiology lab in August 2020. I will be working with chrono precise population of Drosophila melanogaster focusing on deciphering the molecular mechanisms behind the circadian clock precision in these populations.
Apart from lab and science, I am a bibliophile and enjoy reading books. I also enjoy music, painting, and art and crafts in general.
I completed my master's degree in Zoology from University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram. I chose chronobiology for my PhD because I was genuinely intrigued by how our body's internal clocks affect our day-to-day experiences – it's like unravelling the secrets of our daily story! I joined the Chronobiology lab in August 2023, and here I'll be working on the interplay between circadian rhythms and metabolism in Drosophila. Besides my research, I'm all about music, dancing, movies, and even some calligraphy on the side.
I completed my Master’s in Zoology from the University of Lucknow where I studied avian physiology during my master’s dissertation and learned some interesting facts about long-distance passerine migratory birds’ annual rhythms of the gut. My curiosity in chronobiology heightened during my dissertation study and I became captivated by how cyclic events in the environment deeply influence an organism’s physiology. I joined the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) at Thiruvananthapuram in 2024 as a Junior Research Fellow in Dr. Nisha N Kannan’s Chronobiology Laboratory where I am exploring the molecular underpinnings of gut-brain axis circadian rhythms in the Drosophila melanogaster.
Apart from research, I enjoy reading about advances in science and technology and trying different cuisines.
I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Zoology from Sir P.T. Sarvajanik College of Science in Surat, Gujarat. I've always been curious about how understanding biological rhythms can help us align our lives with nature's timetable, leading to better health and harmony. I'm particularly intrigued by how these processes are synchronized with environmental cycles, such as the day-night cycle. To explore this further, I joined the Chronobiology Lab as a Master’s student in August 2024. Currently, I am working on the role of microRNAs in regulating circadian rhythms using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism. Outside of my research, I enjoy music, dancing, movies, and painting.
I am a fifth-year BSMS undergraduate student with a keen interest in understanding the complexity of the brain and its functioning. My fascination with chronobiology was sparked during the course on the subject , where I become interested by the intricate ways biological systems synchronise their internal processes with the external environment. The pivotal role of Drosophila melanogaster in circadian research, owing to its genetic tractability and well-defined circadian behaviors, further fueled my aspiration to join the Lab during my third year.
Currently, I am working with the Chrono precise population of Drosophila melanogaster, dedicated to studying the molecular mechanisms governing circadian clock precision. My ongoing project investigates the role of PDF in the evening peak of activity in populations selected for long-term stabilisation. Beyond my research, I enjoy reading, music, and painting.
My fascination with chronobiology began during my Chronobiology course , where I was captivated by how internal clocks influence daily life.This curiosity along with an intense fascination for sleep led me to join the Chronobiology lab as part of my major project.I will be working on the interplay between circadian rhythms and metabolism in Drosophila.Beyond research, some of my hobbies include watching movies, listening to music and traveling around with friends.
I am a fifth-year BSMS undergraduate student . Chronobiology has become one of my main interests, as it unveils the intricate ways living organisms align their biological processes with the world around them. I am particularly drawn to the field because it involves molecular biology, neuroscience, and environmental science, revealing how our biological clock is synchronized to the day-night cycle. I am working with the Chrono precise population of Drosophila melanogaster, dedicated to studying the molecular mechanisms governing circadian clock precision. My current objective is to understand the molecular mechanisms in the population selected for long-term stabilisation. Apart from research,my other interests include sports , music, and travel, movies.
