Howdy! I am Venkatesh
I have a very complicated academic history, which is a mixture of chemical engineering, microbial biotechnology, genomics, bioinformatics, population genetics, animal behavior, and mitochondrial evolution. The same goes with my track record in conducting experiments in the lab. As an experimental biologist, I have worked with filamentous bacteria, fruit and insect-eating bats, fruit flies, Cichlids, Gambusia and Aedes mosquito.
Very broadly, I am interested in understanding how mitochondrial genome underpins sex-specific or sex-general evolution of life-history and their trade-offs, in the face of environmental changes. Additionally, I am interested in uncovering mechanisms or adaptations in bats living across dietary extremes.
I am currently working on finishing my PhD thesis that has looked into the 'evolutionary significance of mitochondrial genetic variation'.
Venkatesh Nagarajan-Radha
PhD Student
Damian Dowling Lab
Monash University, Australia
Publications
Most recent
Lucy Katherine McLay, V Nagarajan‐Radha, Mark Philip Green, Therésa Melanie Jones, 2018. Dim artificial light at night affects mating, reproductive output, and reactive oxygen species in Drosophila melanogaster. Journal of Experimental Zoology Part A: Ecological and Integrative Physiology. Link
DPS Doss* and V Nagarajan-Radha*, 2017. Male Resource Defence Behavior Strengthens Harem Size in Promiscuously Mating Bats, Acta Chiropterologica, 19(2): 329-336 *equal contribution
DPS Doss*, V Nagarajan-Radha* and S Kandula, 2016. Daily and Seasonal Variation in Non-Acoustic Communicative Behaviors of Male Greater Short-Nosed Fruit Bats (Cynopterus sphinx), Acta Chiropterologica, 18(1): 199-207 *equal contribution
For earlier papers, visit my Google Scholar link here
Education
2014-2018
Doctoral Degree
Monash University (Australia)
For my doctoral thesis, I worked on the fruit fly model to explore sex-specific effects of mitochondrial genetic variation on longevity, physiology and physical activity.
2010-2012
Master Degree
Madurai Kamaraj University (India)
In my master's, I studied genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics. For my master's thesis, I investigated the group foraging behaviour in fruit bats (Cynopterus sphinx) using genetic and telemetry tools.
2006-2010
Bachelor Degree
SASTRA University (India)
I studied mainly chemical engineering and Industrial biotechnology units. This is where I picked many multi-disciplinary skills. I did a bachelor's research project on microbial stress response and was able to publish 2 papers as contributing author.
Collaborations
2014 Dr. Paramanantha Swami Doss Behavioural ecology and genetics of Indian bats
2016 Dr. Steven L Chown Eco-physiology of Drosopholia mitochondrial haplotypes
2016 Dr. John Hunt Nutritional ecology and mitochondrial evolution
2016 Dr. Bob M Wong's lab Behavioural ecology of Red devil cichlids
2017 Dr. Scott O'Neill's lab Studying physical activity of Anopheles mosquitoes
Academic experience
Supervisor
I have supervised several bachelor's project for the Animal Behaviour unit (BIO 3052). Co-supervised two bachelor's thesis for Science in Action unit (BIO 3990), and three honours projects with Dr.Damian Dowling in Monash University.
Teaching
I have worked as a Teaching Assistant from 2016 helping out lecturers in practical component for several evolution and ecology units.
Research Assistance
Between 2016 - 2018, I have worked as a casual Research Assistant for Dr.Damian Dowling in his Experimental Evolutionary Biology lab group, and a Research Officer for the World Mosquito Program.