Research Interest

Recent Projects

Research

Project Title: Research and Conservation: Monitoring Apis dorsata Colonies in the Metropolitan Area of Bengaluru, India

Supervisor: Dr. Axel Brockmann

Collaborator: Dr. Smitha Krishnan (Alliance Bioversity International - CIAT), Dr. Wei Guo and Sylvain Grison (The University of Tokyo)

Apis dorsata, an important pollinator in India, nests in urban areas, often removed due to defensive behavior. In Bengaluru, our study revealed a homogeneous colony distribution (1.81 ± 1.83 colonies/km) with a preference for apartments. Short stays and a monsoon-related reduction in colony abundances indicate two types of migration: 1) environmental and 2) hormonally regulated migration. Urban landscapes offer advantages for studying Apis dorsata colony cycles.

Experience

I immersed myself in the intricate world of Aisan honey bees, important pollinators in India. Guided by Dr. Axel Brockmann and collaborating with esteemed researchers, we explored Apis dorsata honey bee colony life cycle and migration patterns. My responsibilities included setting up cameras for migration dance recording, conducting behavioral assays, and analyzing honey bee waggle dances. In my prior Masters Internship at the same lab from January 2017 to July 2017, under Dr. Axel Brockmann's mentorship, I focused on manipulating Apis florea honey bee colonies to study nursing behavior, overcoming challenges associated with open nesting. This dual experience deepened my understanding of honey bee behavior, contributing to both the broader field of research and my personal growth as a scientist.

Achievements

1. Science and Engineering Research Board: Core Research Grant (January 2021 - ongoing) - This grant supports the project "Research and Conservation: Monitoring Apis dorsata Colonies in the Metropolitan Area of Bangalore, India," led by Axel Brockmann and Rajath Siddaganga.

2. Google's AI for Social Good grant, Bioversity International (December 2022 - January 2023) - The project "Exploring and Managing Human-Bee Conflict in Asian Cities using AI," authored by Smitha Krishnan (Bioversity International), Wei Guo (University of Tokyo), Axel Brockmann, and Rajath Siddaganga, is backed by Google's initiative to apply AI to global challenges.