Varuna H P

Hello - I am Varuna H P. I have joined Praveen’s lab as a post-doctoral fellow. I did my masters (M.Sc) in Biochemistry from University of Mysore, Mysore, where I developed interest towards the field of small proteins and peptide biochemistry. I got my Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, where I identified and characterised a novel group of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists from snake venom and delineated their unique functional site by site-directed mutagenesis, which led us to name this new class of antagonists as “Ω-neurotoxins”. I have also worked as a visiting researcher at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Australia where I got a chance to gain experience in two-voltage electrode clamp electrophysiology experiments. Right now, at InStem I am working with the team on developing potential therapy against organophosphate poisoning. Apart from science and out-reaching to people about science, trekking (“nature gazing” as I like to call it) and dancing are my happy spaces. Theatre, music, play and travel are my other indulgences.