Negi Simran

What was your research journey before joining Sedlackova lab?

I began my scientific career as a student in the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science (Integrated Degree) program (2018-2023) at Indian Institute of Science Education and Research - Thiruvananthapuram, India, one of prestigious universities delegated to research in India. During my time in IISER, I did my Major in Biology and Minor in Physics. My interest in interdisciplinary science led me to take physics as my minor subject. My minor project was a collaboration between Dr. Mayanglambam Suheshkumar Singh (School of Physics, IISER-TVM) and Dr. Jishy Varghese (School of Biology, IISER-TVM). My project intended to verify the use of Selective Plane Illumination Microscopy (SPIM), an imaging modality, to do live imaging of Drosophila melanogaster. While working on this project I also co-authored a Journal whose manuscript is under review, an abstract (first author) at SPIE conference and presented poster in Symposium cum Hands-on Workshop on Medical Imaging. Following my minor, I did my major project under Prof Nishant KT’s lab (School of Biology, IISER TVM) where I learned a wide range of genomics and molecular techniques while working on Regulation of meiotic recombination in irc20Δ in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. 

From my master’s experience , I was determined to pursue my PhD in the field of molecular and cancer biology and my search led me to the Sedlackova lab. For me, joining the lab has been a fantastic learning opportunity, and I find Dr. Sedlackova's supervision to be quite interesting and stimulating, whether it is about the project or a broader discussion.

What are you currently working on? Why do you find your project/work fascinating?

My focus is on understanding mechanism(s) of molecular coupling between origin licensing and cell cycle control.  I was astonished and fascinated by how multiple factors involved in DNA replication as well in cell cycle play pivotal roles in maintaining the genome and in the absence of these factors can lead to various diseases and disorders.

What do you do when you are not in the lab?

I love to spend my time traveling, watching anime,cooking and reading fiction books.