This page provides an overview of the projects that I offer, as well as a list of specific projects that I employ people for.
My astronomy research is observation-oriented and largely uses radio telescopes. Students who wish to work with me should be familiar with programming in C, fourier transforms, and basic statistics. Their work will involve image processing, data analysis and interpretation in the light of existing theories and models.
Summer Projects I do not offer summer projects in astronomy
Semester Projects for IISER-Pune students While the first project can be a reading project on any topic in astronomy, the second, if undertaken, will involve developing software tools, image processing and data analysis.
5th year Projects for IISER-Pune students Only those who have undertaken an image processing project with me during the earlier semesters should consider a 5th year project with me.
Semester Projects for external students Students should spend at least 6 months on a project, and must be familiar with C programming language, fourier transforms, and basic statistics. I will not be able to provide any financial support for project students.
PhD Projects I do not wish to recruit any more PhD students at the moment.
My focus is on various aspects of biological diversity - species distribution
patterns, models of diversity, speciation processes, conservation etc. The
research work requires a high level of skill in
1. taxonomy and identification of birds, reptiles, frogs, spiders,
ants, moths and butterflies.
2. Molecular phylogeny - laboratory and computational techniques
3. GIS
Summer Projects I supervise field projects in Arunachal Pradesh during the summer. These typically include 4-8 weeks of field work. IISER students who wish to participate in these projects will be expected to develop the necessary field skills during the semesters preceding their visit. Only those with sufficient proficiency will be selected for the field visit. This activity is largely meant for students of IISER-Pune but can accommodate a few others with demonstrable skills in field taxonomy. (more details)
Semester Projects for IISER-Pune students
1. UG I & II : taxonomy projects
2. UG III & IV : reading research papers, analysis of data, and
molecular phylogeny. (at least 12 hours a week)
Only students willing to commit at least 12 hours a week should sign up for
these projects.
5th year Projects for IISER students Any 5th year project for IISER students will have to be built upon previous semester projects.
Longer Projects for external students
Students wishing to carry out a 6-month or longer project including M.Sc
dissertation may contact me provided they have substantial prior experience
in identification of taxa and/or lab work. Students who have completed M.Sc
can apply for particular projects (see below) which may include a fellowship.
1. Standardising lab protocols for molecular phylogeny Full time position (up to 3 years) as a DST JRF (M.Sc; CSIR-NET recommended) or DST Research Associate (Postdoc).
2. Spider diversity Part or full time position (1 year) at the level of a DST JRF (M.Sc; CSIR-NET recommended). Part time positions may be filled up by students from Pune and surrounding areas who can devote at least 8 days a month to the project
3. Ant diversity Part or full time position (1 year) at the level of a DST JRF (M.Sc; CSIR-NET recommended). Part time positions may be filled up by students from Pune and surrounding areas who can devote at least 8 days a month to the project
4. GIS mapping and analysis of Arunachal Pradesh's Forest Cover Full time position (1 year) at the level of a DST JRF (M.Sc; CSIR-NET recommended).
PhD projects can be taken up by students who come through the IISER-Pune
Biology (
PhD and
Integ.PhD
) selection process. I have listed below two categories of projects which feed
into my overall focus on understanding the profusion of species in Arunachal
Pradesh. Both the categories can separately accommodate several PhD students.
1. Genetic structure in populations along geographical gradients
2. Mapping the diversity of taxa along elevational gradients
28 February 2013, Ramana Athreya