Dr. Pavan Kumar Agrawal

Associate Professor, Centre for Molecular Neurosciences, Department of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India. DBT Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellow (2019–2024). Research focus: Investigating how genetic and environmental factors interact to shape brain function, behavior, and neurodegeneration. The lab uses Drosophila melanogaster as a primary model and extends insights to mammalian systems and clinical data to study mechanisms underlying stress responses, social behavior, sleep, and neurodegenerative processes.

Approaches include cell-type-specific genomics, circuit-level manipulations, high-throughput behavioral assays, and computational modeling. Lab Website: www.agrawallab.com. Teaching Responsibilities (MSc by Research in Neuroscience): Semester:MCN04: Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience; MCN505: Brain Development and Disease Models; MCN506: Disorders of the Brain; MCN508: Neuroscience in-vitro studies; MCN509: Neuroscience in-vivo studies Thesis Supervision: Guiding MSc and PhD students on projects in neuroscience, behavior, and neurodegeneration. Research Grants: (1) DBT Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship – 'Epigenetic, transcriptional and behavioral mechanisms in schizophrenia using Drosophila' (INR 1,13,60,000).

(2) DBT India Research Grant – 'Transcriptional and behavioral mechanisms underlying social isolation stress in Drosophila' (INR 73,47,510). (3) ANRF/SERB Core Research Grant – 'Developmental and transgenerational effects of nicotine exposure in Drosophila' (INR 44,12,910). Awards: DBT Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship (2019–2024); HHMI Postdoctoral Fellowship, Janelia Research Campus, USA (2012–2018). Professional Affiliations: Member, Indian Academy of Neurosciences (IAN); Member, Genetics Society of America (GSA), USA; Ad-hoc reviewer for international journals in neuroscience, genetics, and molecular biology.