THE TEAM
Our team of dedicated researchers and assistants is committed to driving forward the frontiers of muscle research. With expertise in genetics, molecular biology, and advanced imaging techniques, we work together to unravel the complexities of muscle function and mitochondrial dynamics. Meet our team members below:
PRINCIPLE INVESTIGATOR
Dr. Prasanna Katti, currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at IISER Tirupati, India, has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of muscle biology. After completing his master’s in biotechnology from JNU, New Delhi, India, he earned a Ph.D. in Muscle Biology from the Indian Institute of Sciences, Bangalore, India.
​
His postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Brian Glancy at the National Institutes of Health (NIH/NHLBI), USA, further enriched his knowledge in Muscle Physiology. Throughout his career, Dr. Katti has applied novel microscopy methods to understand how muscle fibers adjust their mitochondrial quantity and organization to meet specific functional demands. His research has opened new avenues of study in muscle physiology and established inter-laboratory collaborations. He also has mentored trainees from diverse backgrounds.
His research group at IISER Tirupati, utilizing Drosophila and Mice, functional genomics, and high-resolution imaging, is at the forefront of investigating organelle design and communication in muscle physiology and pathology.
Selected Publications:
PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Prasanna+Katti&sort=date
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=l-Z6cVQAAAAJ&hl=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prasanna-katti-79527217/
PhDs -
Nivedya C
PhD 2024
Born and bred in Kerala, I am a post graduate degree holder in Zoology from Malabar Christian College, affiliated to the University of Calicut. I have always been drawn to the field of cell biology and wanted to unravel more in to it.
​
I embarked on my PhD journey in the Katti lab since August 2024. At the lab, I explore on the Mitochondrial - Endoplasmic Reticulum contact sites also known as MERCS, that are vital for calcium signaling, energy metabolism and organelle dynamics and exactly, how these contact sites influence muscle physiology and aging, using advanced imaging techniques.
​
When not around flies and scopes you can find me happily dancing or hitting the gym or at times scribbling my thoughts .
Suraj Thapliyal
PhD 2024
I joined the lab as a research scholar student in August 2024. I come from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Prior to my current position, I completed my masters in molecular and human genetics from Banaras Hindu University in 2024. I had a keen interest to work on the mitochondrial role in aging and my research primarily focuses on how mitochondria behave in the various diet influencing the muscle health and contribute it to the aging.
​
Apart from my academic pursuits, I find joy in playing badminton and staying active on the field. During my free time, I indulge in watching anime, travelling to spiritually connected places and exploring the cuisines. One piece is real!
Masters Thesis-
Revathi D
MS Thesis 2024
Revathi - graduated BS-MS student at IISER Tirupati, under Dr. Prasanna Katti's Supervision worked as a masters student on mitochondrial dynamics and age-related muscle degeneration using Drosophila.
Passionate about understanding cellular mechanisms underlying aging and is aiming to pursue a Ph.D. in cell and developmental biology
Yuvaraj
MS Thesis 2024
I pursued my Masters in Biotechnology at Bharathidasan University. I had a keen research interest on mitochondria and their contact site with endoplasmic reticulum, where lipid shuttling happens. I worked in the Katti lab as a part of my dissertation where I explored the role of a gene named Dyro in muscle and its impact on the development of muscle and maintenance of Drosophila Melanogaster. Apart from the academics, I watch movies and play some sports.
Namdar Hari Kalpana
MS Thesis 2025
I’m Hari Kalpana, a final-year undergraduate student at IISER Tirupati. I’m currently working on my Master's thesis exploring neurodegeneration and cardiomyopathies using Drosophila melanogaster and understanding how mitochondrial behavior impacts both brain and heart function. My interests include to figure out how tiny organelles can cause big problems in us.
I love blending science with creativity—whether it’s through illustrations or writing.I believe every experiment deserves a meme and every graph has the potential to be a sticker. If it’s colorful, cozy, or a little chaotic, probably works for me.
Beyond research, I enjoy sky-watching, cats, collecting sweets (and eating them), finding joy in small everyday things and also a part-time nap philosopher.
Akhshaya Mohan
MS Thesis 2025
I’m Akhshaya Mohan from Chennai, currently pursuing my Master’s thesis . My research interests lie in muscle biology and neuroscience, with a focus on understanding how cells regulate structure and function in health and disease.
I am a BSMS student at IISER Tirupati, originally from Visakhapatnam. I joined the lab in the summer of 2024, where I currently work on expansion microscopy with a focus on understanding the expansion dynamics of various muscle tissues using hydrogel-based methods.
My work involves synthesizing and optimizing hydrogels to achieve isotropic expansion of muscle tissues, aiming to resolve subcellular structures that are otherwise beyond the limit of conventional light microscopy.
Balancing the demands of coursework and research is still a learning curve, but at the same time being part of a research environment so early in my academic journey has shaped how I think about science—curious, patient, and grounded in observation.
Outside of research, I also enjoy Formula 1 and like how others assume I am a PhD student..
​
Interns-
Akshant Yadav
BSMS 2024
I'm a undergraduate at IISER Tirupati from Alwar, Rajasthan, interested in how cellular systems maintain muscle health. I'm excited to explore mitochondrial function, aging, and disease through hands-on research in cell biology and imaging.
Nayshikaa
BSMS 2024
As a second-year undergraduate at IISER Tirupati from Erode, Tamil Nadu.
I’m passionate about muscle physiology and mitochondrial biology. I'm eager to explore new ideas in this field along with lab based research works.