Around 8% of the human genome is derived from ancient viral infections, highlighting the long-standing relationship between viruses and their hosts. This evolutionary interplay has shaped my scientific curiosity and continues to guide my research.

I am a virologist and cancer researcher interested in understanding how viruses manipulate host biology to establish chronic infection and promote cancer. I obtained my MD in Medical Microbiology from Christian Medical College, Vellore, India, and my PhD in Viral Immunology from Yokohama City University, Japan.

My research has focused on the immunology and pathogenesis of chronic viral infections, particularly Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). During the COVID-19 pandemic, I also contributed to research on SARS-CoV-2. I am currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Limerick, Ireland, where I investigate epigenetic mechanisms underlying EBV-associated oncogenesis and virus-host interactions.

I hold a Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA, UK) and have undertaken professional development in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the supervision of neurodivergent learners. My teaching experience spans India, Bahrain, and Ireland, where I have taught medical and biomedical science students in both classroom and laboratory settings. I have supervised undergraduate, graduate, Erasmus exchange, and international research students and currently mentor students at the University of Limerick.

My work is driven by an interest in how viruses reshape host biology and contribute to human disease, with a focus on uncovering mechanisms that link infection, cellular regulation, and cancer development.

Chronic viruses reprogram host cellular pathways to support persistence, immune evasion, and disease progression. My research focuses on how these processes drive viral latency, reactivation, and cancer development.

Using Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) as a model of viral oncogenesis, I study how metabolic and epigenetic pathways shape virus-host interactions and tumour evolution. My current work focuses on serotonin, a molecule traditionally linked to neurotransmission but increasingly recognised as a regulator of cellular function beyond the nervous system.

I am particularly interested in serotonin-dependent mechanisms, including histone serotonylation, and their role in gene regulation, viral persistence, and cancer biology. Overall, I aim to understand how metabolic state influences viral oncogenesis and to identify potential therapeutic vulnerabilities in virus-associated cancers.

My teaching interests include virology, immunology, cancer biology, molecular biology, and research methodology. I am committed to inclusive, student-centred teaching that supports diverse learning needs and scientific curiosity.

I combine classroom teaching with laboratory-based training and research mentorship, with an emphasis on developing critical thinking, experimental design skills, and scientific independence in students.