People
Principal Investigator
Professor Prosenjit Ghosh
Faculty Member, Centre for Earth Sciences (CEaS), 2007 —
Previous Affiliations: PhD, Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 2003
Undergraduate from Hansraj College (BSc, Geology) Delhi University in the year 1991, Prosenjit continued his higher education completing his master’s in applied Geology from University of Roorkee (now IIT, Roorkee). He developed his interests in geochemistry while conducting a study as a part of his dissertation on the genesis of mafic enclaves in Kolar greenstone granite. Later, he pursued his interests further after being selected as a scholar in the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad in the year 1994. While at PRL, he acquired proficiency/learned the skill of mass spectrometry, an advanced tool of geochemistry. His PhD work aimed towards understanding the paleo climate record of Gondwana sediments from different sedimentary basins in India. He contributed to the paleo-barometry research adding new estimates of past CO2 concentration in the global atmosphere. Soon after, he had a brief tenure as Head Geochemist at Anglo American Exploration. He resumed/continued his journey exploring the tool of mass spectrometry and high precision analysis of carbonate after joining Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Jena, Germany in the year 2001 as IAEA- WMO postdoctoral fellow. His contribution towards developing a new Air CO2 mixture from carbonate received global attention and was accepted as a new standard reference material for isotopic analysis. He had a breakthrough in his research credential after joining his next tenure as a postdoctoral fellow at California Institute of Technology at Pasadena, USA in the latter half of the year 2003. His research on carbonate clumped isotope thermometry received global attention and was adjudged as a novel tool for past temperature reconstruction. In the year 2006, he got appointed as an Assistant Professor at Tokyo Institute Technology, Japan where he was instrumental in setting up the clumped isotope laboratory. Prosenjit joined IISc in the year 2007 as an Assistant Professor in the Centre for Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. Once IISc started a new Centre for Earth Sciences in the year 2008, he moved to the new Centre as a core faculty. He is also presently affiliated with other centres in the campus and engaged in multi-disciplinary application of stable isotope geochemistry. His research interests expanded in the academic ambience of IISc to include isotope hydrology, carbon sequestration, global circulation model, reconstruction of seasonality, exploring quaternary record using high-resolution archives like gastropods, mollusc, rice grains and speleothems. During the course of his research career, he had the opportunity to work with several experts in the field which includes Naohiro Yoshida, John Eiler, Willi Brand, S.K. Bhattacharya and S. Balakrishnan.
Download curriculum vitae here
Contact Link/s: Email, Google Scholar, Twitter
Postdoctoral Research Fellows
Arya CF
Research Associate (CEaS), 2022 —
Previous Affiliations: Research Assistant, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, 2019-2022; PhD Microbiology, The Gandhigram Rural University, 2016-2021; Laboratory Assistant, Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), 2016
I am working on the application of isotopic tool for understanding the growth rate of ureolytic bacterial strains and precipitation of calcium carbonate. Interested in the Isolation and Identification of bacteria, fungi and algae; Polymerase Chain Reaction and DNA Extraction of bacteria.
Contact Link/s: Email
Asadulla Asraf Ali
Research Associate (CEaS), 2023 —
Previous Affiliations: PhD, Tezpur University, Assam, India, 2019-23
My research interests are diverse and cover several areas. I’m particularly passionate about Heritage Conservation and committed to preserving traditional manuscripts and century-old woodcarvings. Water Purification is another area of interest for me, as I’m concerned about finding sustainable and clean water sources. I’m also fascinated by the science and art of Dyes and Pigments, and I enjoy exploring their properties and applications. Additionally, I have a keen interest in Cellulose Chemistry, which involves studying plant fibers and their various uses. Finally, I’m intrigued by Isotopic Techniques and their application in Climatology, as they can provide insights into climate change and its effects.
Contact Link/s: Email, Google Scholar, LinkedIn
PhD Students
Bhanu Priya
PhD Student, Divecha Centre for Climate Change (DCCC), 2021 —
Previous Affiliations: MSc. Hons/BSc. Hons Geology, Panjab University, 2016-21
I am interested in reconstructing the prevalent climate regime and ecology during the Middle Miocene climate optimum (MMCO) by performing clumped and simple stable carbon & oxygen isotope thermometry on vertebrate teeth fossils. I aim to use the reconstructed climate and ecological parameters as an analogue for predicting and understanding future climate changes.
Contact Link/s: Email
Rachana Subba
PhD Student, Centre for Earth Sciences (CEaS), 2017 —
Previous Affiliations: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay, 2013-15; Jadavpur University, 2010-13
Exploring clumped carbonate isotope thermometry in terrestrial carbonate archives to understand their potential as good recorders of palaeoclimate.
Contact Link/s: Email, ResearchGate
Rachita Ghosh
PhD Student, Centre for Earth Sciences (CEaS), 2020 —
Previous Affiliations: MSc Applied Geology in Jadavpur University, 2018-20; BSc Geology in Jadavpur University, 2015-18
Clumped Isotope Thermometry, Paleoclimate Study
Contact Link/s: Email
Ritvik Chaturvedi
PhD Student, Centre for Earth Sciences (CEaS), 2021 —
Previous Affiliations: MSc Environmental Archaeology, University College London (UCL), 2017-8; MA/BA History, University of Delhi (DU), 2011-4
An archaeologist by training, I am interested in reconstructing palaeoclimate using signatures in osteological and macrobotanical assemblages from the Holocene and earlier. When corroborated with modern-day climate assessments, the exercise will yield valuable insights into the relationships between past human societies and their environments for e.g. human diaspora and the spread of agriculture.
Contact Link/s: Email, Personal Website, Twitter
Rubina Parveen
PhD Student, Centre for Earth Sciences (CEaS), 2022 —
Previous Affiliations: Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad, 2016-2019; JK College Sidho Kanho Birsha University, Purulia, 2013-2016
I am a geologist; interested in low temperature stable isotope geochemistry.
Contact Link/s: Email
Siddharth Arora
PhD Student, Divecha Centre for Climate Change (DCCC), 2018 —
Previous Affiliations: MTech Remote Sensing & GIS, Indian Institute of Remote Sensing Dehradun, 2015-17; M.Sc.(Hons.) Physics, BITS Pilani, 2010-15; B.E. (Hons.) Civil Engineering, BITS Pilani, 2010-15
Research interests include hydrology & understanding the impact of climate change on hydrology of the region. Techniques include hydrological modelling & use of stable water isotopes.
Contact Link/s: Email
Thamizharasan Sakthivel
PhD Student, Centre for Earth Sciences (CEaS), 2018 —
Previous Affiliations: MSc/BSc Geology, Department of Earth Sciences, Pondicherry University, 2013-2018
I am an isotope geochemist. My primary research interest is understanding the link between wildfire and CO₂ concentration during the geological time and palaeoceanographic reconstruction. I use an isotope ratio mass spectrometer to measure the isotopic ratio of stable nuclides on inorganic and organic geological archives and use the value to reconstruct the ambient physical, biological, and chemical parameters. My research encompasses wide temporal scales from seasonal to million years. I am also interested in learning non-traditional stable isotopes.
Contact Link/s: Email, ResearchGate, Google Scholar, Personal Website, Twitter, LinkedIn
Alumni
PhD students
Sanchita Banerjee
Thesis title: Reconstruction of temperature for Cenozoic and Proterozoic ocean water using clumped isotope thermometry
Pousali Pathak
Thesis title: Stable isotope and biogeochemical study of arsenic contamination in shallow groundwater at seasonal time intervals from West Bengal (Nadia district)
Currently: ISRO Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad
Chirantan Pramanik
Thesis title: Ab initio quantum chemical studies on kinetic fractionation during analysis of carbonates for the clumped isotope thermometry
Currently: Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel
Benjamin Fosu
Thesis title: Stable isotope geochemistry of carbonatites: new insights into the petrogenesis and evolution
Currently: Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at Geological Survey of Canada, Quebec
Himanshu Bhagat
Thesis title: Seasonal isotopic variability and major ion chemistry of Cauvery River basin, Peninsular India
Currently: Research Associate, Divecha Centre for Climate Change (DCCC), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
Shaakir Shabir Dar
Thesis title: On the spatio-temporal distribution of stable isotope ratios in the hydrological cycle over India and the Southern Ocean
Currently: Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at University of Alaska Fairbanks
Yogaraj Banerjee
Thesis title: Monsoon seasonality during journey of the Indian plate from southern hemisphere revealed using clumped isotope and stable isotope proxies in mollusc shell growth bands
Currently: Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at National Taiwan University
Ritika Kaushal
Thesis title: Stable isotopic composition of rice grain organic matter as an archive of monsoonal climate
Currently: Post-Doctoral Fellow at Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
Prasanna K Naidu
Thesis title: CO₂ Ventilation, hydrological cycle over the Southern Ocean and clumped isotope
thermometry in biogenic carbonates
Currently: Scientist-B, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow
Rahul Peethambaran
Thesis title: Study of the seasonal water cycle over the Indian subcontinent and the Southern Ocean using stable isotopes in rainwater and water vapour
Currently: Research Fellow at National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), New Zealand
Tania Guha
Thesis title: Experimental set up for stable isotope analysis of air CO₂ using IRMS MAT253 and monitoring the air CO₂ variability over an urban station in India for last 4 years
Currently: Assistant Professor at Adamas University, Kolkata, India
Ravi Rangarajan
Thesis title: High resolution reconstruction of rainfall using stable isotopes in growth bands of terrestrial gastropods
Currently: College of Health Sciences, University of Doha for Science and Technology, Qatar
Postdoctoral Research Fellows
Aafaq Nazir (Ministry of Earth Sciences postdoctoral fellow)
Project: Catfish Otolith Carbonate; 2021-22
Currently: JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow, The University of Tokyo, Japan
Harini Santhanam (Ministry of Earth Sciences postdoctoral fellow)
Project: Lake Pulicat Water and Shell carbonate, 2009-10
Currently: Assistant Professor, NIAS Bangalore
Josia Jacob (DST woman young scientist)
Project: Anoxia over Indian Ocean; 2009-2014
Currently: Geophysicist Web Link
Rakesh Singh (Ministry of Earth Sciences postdoctoral fellow)
Project: Kutch Coral; 2010-2011
Currently: now at GSI
K Mohan (Ministry of Earth Sciences postdoctoral fellow)
Project: Southern Ocean; 2011-2013
Currently: Assistant Professor at VIT University
Sakthivel Kollimalai (Ministry of Earth Sciences postdoctoral fellow)
Project: Andaman Coral; 2012-2013
Currently: Research Scientist, Anna University
Mousumi Chatterjee (Divecha Centre Climate change postdoctoral fellow, 2013-2015)
Currently: University of Reading, UK
Seema Singh (DST woman Young Scientist)
Project: Soil carbonate, 2013-2014
Currently: Assistant Professor, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India, Web Link
Mikhail V. Vasiliev (Divecha Centre for Climate Change post-doctoral fellow, 2014-2016)
Currently: Germany Bioanalyst Web Link
Sanjay Kumar (SERB DST post-doctoral fellow)
Project: Carbon Sequestration in coal field, 2016-2018
Abhishek Saha (Ministry of Earth Sciences postdoctoral fellow, 2013-2014)
Currently: Research Scientist at NIO, Goa
Babita Rani Choudhary (Ministry of Earth Sciences postdoctoral fellow)
Tripti Muguli (now at NESS, Trivandram) (Ministry of Earth Sciences postdoctoral fellow, 2015-2016)
Currently: NESS, Thiruvananthapuram, Web Link
Trina Bose (Ministry of Earth Sciences postdoctoral fellow)
Currently: Scientist at BSIP, Lucknow, Web Link
Master’s Students (MTech/MSc)
Surajit Mondal (CAOS)
Project: Bay of Bengal water and atmospheric composition during CTCZ expedition 2013; completed PhD from Centre for Earth Sciences (CEaS), IISc
Kathiravan Meeran
Project: Southern Ocean carbon cycle; completed PhD from University of Innsbruck Department of Ecology Web Link
Ruby Saha
Project: ab-initio calculation using Gaussian -6; pursuing PhD IIT, Chennai
Bitopan Gogoi
Project: Clumped isotope thermometry on Bay of Bengal methanogenic carbonates; now Petrophysicist at Schlumberger
Nayela Zeba
Project: Microbial respiration of E-coli, 2014; currently pursuing PhD at University of Wisconsin Web Link