BIO
I hail from “the God’s own country,” Kerala, a small southern state in India. I completed my B.Sc. (Hons.) and M.Sc. in Forestry with specialization in Tree Physiology and Breeding at Kerala Agricultural University. During that time, I investigated the effects of particulate pollution on the growth and physiology of trees in moist deciduous forests. I worked as a teaching assistant for two years after my masters which was a very rewarding experience. In addition to research, I love to read, hike, illustrate and play basketball.
Forest fragmentation and it’s ecological consequences have always intrigued me. I am interested in studying the effects of climate change on the local adaptation and gene flow of forest tree species. Currently, I am a graduate student in Keller lab, trying to understand climate adaptation of red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.). I am particularly interested in understanding the role played by genetics and environment on its growth and phenology. Another question I have recently started to tackle is impact of introgression with black spruce (Picea mariana) that would be affecting its local adaptation. As an NSF QuEST trainee, I have also worked with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to utilize and apply the knowledge we gained on red spruce in assisting with restoration efforts in Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. You can follow my research on Google scholar and GitHub.
Bio
I hail from “the God’s own country,” Kerala, a small southern state in India. I completed my B.Sc. (Hons.) and M.Sc. in Forestry with specialization in Tree Physiology and Breeding at Kerala Agricultural University. During that time, I investigated the effects of particulate pollution on the growth and physiology of trees in moist deciduous forests. I worked as a teaching assistant for two years after my masters which was a very rewarding experience. In addition to research, I love to read, hike, illustrate and play basketball.
Forest fragmentation and it’s ecological consequences have always intrigued me. I am interested in studying the effects of climate change on the local adaptation and gene flow of forest tree species. Currently, I am a graduate student in Keller lab, trying to understand climate adaptation of red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.). I am particularly interested in understanding the role played by genetics and environment on its growth and phenology. Another question I have recently started to tackle is impact of introgression with black spruce (Picea mariana) that would be affecting its local adaptation. As an NSF QuEST trainee, I have also worked with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to utilize and apply the knowledge we gained on red spruce in assisting with restoration efforts in Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. You can follow my research on Google scholar and GitHub.