Reading the deep history of life in the genome.
We use molecular phylogenies to answer fundamental questions in evolutionary biology — reconstructing how the biodiversity of the Indian subcontinent came to be, and how it continues to change.
We study genetic variation within and between species to answer questions in ecology, evolution, and conservation.
Using phylogenetic tools, we explore species boundaries, biogeography, diversification, and the effects of ecological and anthropogenic change. Our work spans diverse plant and animal groups, revealing the evolutionary forces that shape biodiversity in the Indian subcontinent and beyond.
Research programmes
Four interlocking lines of enquiryMolecular systematics
Phylogenetic methods to clarify taxonomy and delimit species — combining molecular, morphological, behavioural and ecological data to reveal cryptic species and evolutionarily significant units.
02 / BIOGEOGRAPHYPhylogenetics & biogeography
How past climatic and geological events shaped species distributions across the Indian subcontinent, and the biogeographic barriers that drive divergence and speciation.
03 / DIVERSIFICATIONDiversification & trait evolution
The ecological and evolutionary drivers of diversification — how key morphological, behavioural and physiological traits promote adaptive radiations and niche expansion.
04 / POPULATION GENETICSPopulation & conservation genetics
How habitat fragmentation and anthropogenic pressures impact genetic diversity — combining population genomics with molecular evolution to assess gene flow, selection and demographic change.
Recent work
All publications →- 2025 Biogeography
- 2025 Diversification
- 2025 Biogeography
Species discoveries
New to science, described by the labWorkshop on Molecular Phylogenetics
A hands-on workshop covering sequence data, tree inference, and comparative methods — open to students and early-career researchers.
Curious about evolution, phylogenetics and the biodiversity of South Asia?
We welcome prospective PhD students, Master's students, interns and postdocs. Reach out with your interests and a short note on what you'd like to work on.