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Contact

Research Skills

Bioinformatics
Statistics
Cell culture
Molecular Biology
Feild work

Main

Agneesh Barua

I use diverse forms of data to uncover the genetic basis of phenotypic traits. Currently, I am working on combining developmental biology and evolutionary genetics to indentify important processes driving phenotypic variation in teleost fishes.

Education

PhD

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University

Okinawa, Japan

2022 - 2017

  • The Evolutionary Genetics of Venoms: How Nature Created the Perfect Chemical Weapon.

Msc Genetics

University of Calcutta

Kolkata, India

2015 - 2013

  • Thesis: Role of P16/CDKN2A in Glioma: A Molecular Study.

BSc(H) Zoology

University of Delhi

New Delhi, India

2013 - 2010

  • Special research topic: Antifungal activity of Phyto-extracts of Piper longum, Aloe vera, and Withania somnifera against human fungal opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans.

Research Experience

HFSP Long-Term Fellow

University of Lausanne

Lausanne, Switzerland

present - 2022

  • Project- Using life-history transitions to uncover the genetic basis of complex traits.

Rotation Student

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University

Okinawa, Japan

2017 - 2016

  • Bio/Micro/Nano fuidcs Unit, Prof Amy Shen.
  • Oncology-Cell signalling Unit, Prof. Tadashi Yamamoto.
  • Project- Developing a microfluidic model to study cancer metastasis.

Research Intern

Ecology and Evolution Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University

Okinawa, Japan

2016 - 2016

  • Project- Characterising the evolutionary forces behind rapid evolution of snake venom genes.

Project Fellow

National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience (NIMHANS)

Bangalore, India

2015 - 2015

  • Project-Using 2-D-Glucose (2-DG) as an adjuvant to supplement treatment by Temozolomide, in high grade glioma.

Project Assistant

National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience (NIMHANS)

Bangalore, India

2015 - 2014

  • Project- Molecular genetics of the role of P16/CDKN2A in Glioma

Innovation Project Fellow

Delhi University and Jawarharlal Nehru University

New Delhi, India

2013 - 2012

  • Project- Antifungal activity of Phyto-extracts of Piper longum, Aloe vera, and Withania somnifera against human fungal opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans.

Publications

Estimates of molecular convergence reveal pleiotropic genes underlying adaptive variation across teleost fish

Agneesh Barua (corr auth) , Brice Beinsteiner, Vincent Laudet, Marc Robinson-Rechavi

N/A

2024

The genetic basis for adaptation in giant sea anemones to their symbiosis with anemonefish and Symbiodiniaceae

Agneesh Barua (corr auth) , Rio Kashimoto, Konstantin Khalturin, Noriyuki Satoh, Vincent Laudet

N/A

2022

Co-option of the same ancestral gene family gave rise to mammalian and reptilian toxins

Agneesh Barua (corr auth) , Ivan Koludarov, Alexander Mikheyev

N/A

2021

An ancient, conserved gene regulatory network led to the rise of oral venom systems

Agneesh Barua (corr auth) & Alexander Mikheyev

N/A

2021

Toxin expression in snake venom evolves rapidly with constant shifts in evolutionary rates

Agneesh Barua (corr auth) & Alexander Mikheyev

N/A

2020

Many options, few solutions: Over 60 my snakes converged on a few optimal venom formulations

Agneesh Barua (corr auth) & Alexander Mikheyev

N/A

2019

Population genomic analysis of a pitviper reveals microevolutionary forces underlying venom chemistry

SD Aird, J Arora, A Barua, L Qiu, K Terada, AS Mikheyev

N/A

2017

Antifungal activity of phyto-extracts of Piper longum, Aloe vera, and Withania somnifera against human fungal opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans

H Kaur, RR Goyal, A Bhattacharya, R Gupta, A Barua, … T Prasad

N/A

2015

Awards

Peter Gruss doctoral dissertation excellence award

OIST

N/A

2023

  • The Peter Gruss Dissertation Award is given to students with excellent theses based on their scientific, academic, and public impact. The award is named after Prof Peter Gruss, the former president of OIST and the Max Plank Society. The award includes a cash prize donated by Prof Gruss.

Birnstiel Award (Honourable mention)

Birnstiel Foundation - IMP Austria

N/A

2023

HFSP Long-Term Postdoctoral fellowship

Human Fronteir Science Programme (HFSP)

N/A

2022

  • ~$250,000 for 3-years to carry out self-designed research project.

EMBO Long-Term fellowship

European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBO)

N/A

2022

  • Received an excellent classification and reccomendation for funding (declined)

Graduate Student Excellence Award

Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution (SMBE)

N/A

2022

Society membership

The American Society of Microbiology

N/A

2014 - 2013

  • Won a society membership by placing 1st in an inter-department Power-Point presentation contest.

Best Essay

The Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray Memorial Science Forum. Calcutta University.

N/A

2013

  • Awarded 1st prize for best essay on entitled: Science and Society.

Innovation Project Fellow

Delhi University and Jawarharlal Nehru University

N/A

2012

  • Awarded a 12 month fellowship that covered stipend.

Academic Talks

Euro Evo-Devo 2024

Estimates of molecular convergence reveal pleiotropic genes underlying adaptive variation across teleost fish

Helsinki, Finalnd

2024

Julius-von-Sachs seminar, University of Wüzburg

How nature created the perfect chemical weapon

Wüzburg, Germany

2023

Gordon Conference on Venom Evolution , Function, and Biomedical Applications

How nature created the perfect chemical weapon

Vermont, USA

2022

Graduate Student Excellence Symposia (SMBE everywhere)

How nature created the perfect chemical weapon

Online

2022

Song Lab, Texas A&M University

How nature created the perfect chemical weapon

Texas, USA

2022

AsiaEvo conference (Online)

How nature created the perfect chemical weapon

Tokyo, Japan

2021

Oxford Venoms and Toxins Conference (Online)

Toxin expression in snake venom evolves rapidly with constant shifts in evolutionary rates

Oxford, England

2020

European Society for Evolutionary Biolgy

Many options, few solutions: Over 60 my snakes converged on a few optimal venom formulations

Turku, Finalnd

2019

Gordon Conference on Venom Evolution , Function, and Biomedical Applications

Many options, few solutions: Over 60 my snakes converged on a few optimal venom formulations

Vermont, USA

2018

OIST internal seminar series

Many options, few solutions: Over 60 my snakes converged on a few optimal venom formulations

Okinawa, Japan

2018

Selected Press

El veneno de las serpientes y la saliva de los mamíferos comparte un origen común

National Geographic

N/A

2022

Venom found in reptiles and mammals shares common origin, study finds

The Independent (UK)

N/A

2021

Recommended article

Faculty Opinions

N/A

2021

Could humans ever be venomous?

Live Science (US)

N/A

2021

Venom glands evolved from salivary glands

The Print (India)

N/A

2021

Could humans be venomous?

Fun Kids Science Weekly

N/A

2021

Snake venom evolved in fits and spurts

PNAS Front Matter

N/A

2020

Venom and the mystery of evolution

Asahi Shimbun (Japan)

N/A

2020

  • Special feature highlighting my journey as a PhD student who uses venom to solve the mysteris of evolution.
  • Asahi Shimbun is the second largest circulating newspaper in the world.
  • https://globe.asahi.com/article/13581404

Teaching

How to write papers that stick

OIST

Okinawa, Japan

2023

  • Invited lecture on writing scientific papes and grants.

Mini-course on Phylogentic Comparative Methods

OIST

Okinawa, Japan

2020

  • Gave a lecture on the importance and utility of phylogenetic comparative methods.
  • Graduate level class.

Ryukyu University Invited Lecture

Ryukyu University

Okinawa, Japan

2020

  • Was invited for a special lecture to 1st year undergrad students.
  • Lecture was on the origin of life in the ocean.
  • Undergraduate level class

Mini-course on quantitative genetics

OIST

Okinawa, Japan

2019 - 2017

  • TA and lectured on the Animal Model in quantitative genetics, and mixed models.
  • Graduate level class.

OIST Science Challenge

OIST

Okinawa, Japan

2019

  • Gave a lecture on Phylogenetics and how gene trees can teach us about about the history of animals.
  • Undergraduate level class.

Term course on Introduction to Molecular Biology

OIST

Okinawa, Japan

2018 - 2017

  • TA and lectured on a course introducing key concepts in molecular biology meant for non-biologists.
  • Undergraduate level class.

Professional Development

Academic Officer

OIST Student Council 2020

N/A

2021 - 2020

  • Was elected academic officer of the OIST student assembly.
  • Worked closely with different departments within the administration including Graduate School, Presidents Office, and Board of Governors/Councilors.
  • Worked with graduate school to formulize Student’s Code of Conduct and Academic Course Streams.

Organizer/Committee member

TEDxOIST

N/A

2018 - 2017

  • Organized the first TEDx event at my university in 2017 and 2018.

Conservation efforts

Fishing Cat Conservation Alliance

West Bengal, India

2011