People

Viraj R. Torsekar

I am an ecologist researching species interactions in natural populations. I am currently a faculty at GITAM, Visakhapatnam. Prior to this, I was a postdoctoral fellow with Prof. Vishwesha Guttal at the Indian Institute of Science and before that, I worked with Prof. Dror Hawlena at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. I did my PhD with Prof. Rohini Balakrishnan at the Centre for Ecological Sciences in Indian Institute of Science.

To learn more about my approach to teaching and mentoring, please visit my blog.

PhD students

Shivam Shinde

I’m a PhD student in the lab with a curiosity for how nature works. I’ve always wondered why the natural world feels so alive with different interactions and “ melodious conversations.”

Working in wildlife research—on human–wildlife interactions, pastoralist–wolf relationships, biodiversity surveys, and bird studies—has helped me see these connections through a conservation and ecological lens.

My current research looks at predator–prey interactions through the lens of nutritional ecology. I’m trying to understand how a cricket’s diet and its fear of predators shape the way it communicates. This helps me study these ecological relationships at the species level while still drawing broader insights.

Outside of research, I enjoy birding, trying different cuisines, and I’m always up for a game of football!

Dhwani Dave

Hi, I’m Dhwani Dave — a Mumbai girl who swapped city life for frog calls! 🐸

My journey into wildlife began with a Russell’s viper telemetry project, where I tracked snakes and learned how they navigate human-dominated landscapes. That experience taught me patience and gave me a deep respect for nature’s hidden rhythms.

I later worked on amphibian acoustics across India — from the Himalayas and Western Ghats to the Northeast — listening to the many ways frogs and toads communicate. Those nights in the field eventually led me to my current PhD, where I study the behavioural ecology of anurans in the Eastern Ghats. Before starting my PhD, I also worked as a nature and outdoor educator for children, a role that took me travelling across India — from trekking in the Himalayas to scuba diving in the Andamans.

When I’m not studying frog calls, you’ll likely find me behind a camera, dancing, or out on a trail (which is honestly my favourite way to hang out).


Past mentees/ students

  • Mohammed Aamir Sadiq, PhD student at CES, IISc
  • Jahanvi Tiwari, PhD student at CES, IISc
  • Juee Dhar, MSc student at IISER Kolkata and CES, IISc
  • Ashlesh Pattnaik, PhD student, University of Tennessee


Past and current collaborators