Welcome Venkatesh Pal Mahadevan !

” Hello everyone! I am Dr. Venkatesh, Pal Mahadevan. I have recently joined CIG as a postdoc in Benton’s group. I originally come from Pune, which is a city in the central part of India. I obtained my PhD at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena (2024), where I investigated the neuroecology of two non-model drosophilid species. Now, I plan to study the evolution of neural circuits and tolerance mechanisms to noxious chemicals in various drosophilids. I am looking forward to interacting with you over time either at common meetings or at social events! “

Welcome Mira Brazane !

“Mira obtained her bachelor and later Masters in microbiology from the university of Bejaia in Algeria. She moved to France where she specialized in molecular and cell biology following a masters at Sorbonne université in Paris. She then did a four year PhD under the supervision of Pr. Clément Carré at Sorbonne Université. She studied the molecular functions of the RNA methyltransferase FTSJ1 in gene regulation and neural development. Mira joined the Roignant group in January 2025 to study the dynamics and functions of RNA methylation in Drosophila melanogaster.”

Welcome Carlos Ernesto Rodriguez Ramirez

Hi, everyone! I am Carlos Rodríguez Ramírez and I started as a PostDoc researcher in the group of Johannes Larsch in December. I was born in Mexico but grew up on this side of the pond in Portugal! I have always been amazed by the incredible things that life is able to do and how it manages to persist in the most inhospitable environments on earth. This led me to decide studying Biology for my Bachelor and then to specialize in Evolutionary and Developmental Biology during my Master studies, both done at the University of Lisbon. I then moved to Switzerland to do a PhD with Prof. Dr. Catherine Peichel at the University of Bern working on the genetic and molecular mechanisms of morphological evolution in threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) using genetic editing technologies and transcriptomics.

Now I am looking to broaden my research to study the evolution of non-morphological phenotypes and that led me here to the lab of Johannes Larsch, where cutting-edge methods are used to understand the neuronal and genetic basis of shoaling behaviour in Danio rerio. I am looking forward to getting to know and chatting with more people around the CIG this coming year! So, feel free to visit me at the Larsch lab on the 4th floor if you are interested in evolution, sticklebacks, transcriptomics (in alternative splicing!), or if you simply want to say hi! My hobbies include hiking, board games, biking, listening to music and photography.

Welcome Deeksha Krishnamoorthy !

I am Deeksha Krishnamoorthy, joining as a PhD student at the lab of Dr. Johannes Larsch. I come from the beautiful country of India, where I completed my Bachelor degree in Biotechnology. For my Bachelor thesis, I worked at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, on signalling pathways in Drosophila nephrocytes.

I then moved to Germany for a Masters in Neuroscience where I had the opportunity to explore cognitive, computational, cellular and molecular neuroscience. My Master thesis focused on exploring the neurovascular interface in the embryonic mouse cerebellum. I am excited to work at the CIG and explore the zebrafish model system, neurogenetics and social behaviour. I enjoy badminton, music and trying new cuisines. Looking forward to meeting everyone at CIG!

Bienvenue Aymeric Masson !!!

Hello everyone,

I’m Aymeric Masson, new postdoc in the group of Prof. Alexandre Reymond. I come from Clermont-Ferrand (France), where I did my bachelor’s degree in Life sciences followed by a master’s in Biology and Health with a final internship at iGReD (Institute of Genetics, Reproduction and Development) under the guidance of Dr C. Barrière. During these years, I developed a growing interest in genetics, epigenetics and the bioinformatic aspects that enable the study of these fields.

I moved to Dijon (France) for my PhD which I did in the Génétique des Anomalies du Développement laboratory (GAD) under the supervision of Dr A. Vitobello. During my PhD, I investigated the pathology of variants of uncertain significance mainly by generating transcriptomic data, setting up a chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) protocol and building a basic skill set for analyzing both types of data. I am delighted to join the CIG to further explore how the genome functions, expresses itself, and the impact of its variations on health.

Aside from sciences and to share a bit about myself, I enjoy playing ice hockey for fun, listening to techno-inspired music (Vitalic, Worakls, Paul K, NTO, Contrefaçon…) and spending time with family and friends. I look forward to meeting and collaborating with all of you, see you around!

Welcome Alejandro Uribe

I’m Alejandro, excited to join Johannes Lab. I recently arrived and 
can’t wait to start working and hanging out with you all.

I have a background in neuroscience. Outside of work, I enjoy reading, 
dancing, theater, and MMA, which help me unwind.

Looking forward to collaborating and getting to know everyone!