I am a synthetic biologist with research interests spanning development, genomics and cellular engineering. As of August 2023, I am an Independent Research Fellow at the Brotman Baty Institute and the Department of Genome Sciences at the University of Washington.

During my PhD with Jef Boeke and Liam Holt at NYU, we developed tools for the “re-writing” of mammalian genomes through the synthesis of large DNA constructs and their targeted integration into cells. I am applying these tools to: 1) understand how genes are turned on and off; and 2) endow cells with sophisticated behaviors not found in nature.

I was raised in Bangalore, India, and completed undergraduate degrees in biology and philosophy at Johns Hopkins University. When I’m not wrangling DNA, I enjoy sports, heavy metal, masala dosas, and sharing the joys of a scientific worldview.