Fish is a source of low-calorie, highly proteinaceous food rich in essential vitamins and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), making it an essential component of a healthy diet. In recent years, the output from capture fishery has stagnated, making aquaculture the primary source of fish we eat. However, the fish from aquaculture comes at a higher cost than capture fishery, mainly due to expenses associated with fish feed, which contributes 50 – 60 % of the operational cost of an aquaculture farm. My lab integrates the concepts of animal physiology with nutritional biology to develop cost-effective feed for better growth and other functions such as colour enhancement, disease and stress mitigation. To this end, we are currently working on three major areas; i) development of functional feed, ii) replacement of costly feed ingredients with locally available cheaper ingredients, and iii) development of a vitamin-mineral mixture to increase the nutritional value and efficiency of farm-made fish diets. We have identified that Hibiscus flower extract through diet can modulate fish energy metabolism and reproductive performance. The Hibiscus extract, equivalent to 1000 µg polyphenols/ Kg of diet, improved fish growth performance, translating into better feed efficiency and dietary protein utilization. Improved dietary efficiency was also associated with reduced fat deposition in the fish muscles, suggesting improved utilization of dietary energy by the fish. The dietary treatment also increased fecundity, although with reduced ova diameter compared to the control. Improved dietary efficiency and protein utilization can reduce the operational costs of an aquaculture venture. Also, the flowers were procured from the temple waste, and thus their use in feed offers an effective strategy to convert waste into dietary protein. Regarding finding the alternatives for costlier feed ingredients, we are using Azolla pinnata as a potential candidate. Due to its symbiotic association with cyanobacteria, Azolla can fix atmospheric nitrogen and accrete 20–22 % of protein (w/w; dry weight basis). However, Azolla is deficient in essential amino acids – especially methionine. Our results have demonstrated that Azolla, with suitable methionine supplementation, can substitute 20 % of oil cakes in fish feed. Since oil cakes are costlier, available only in a particular season of the year, and in high demand from the cattle industry, their replacement can also substantially reduce feed cost. Our lab is in the process of registering a vitamin-mineral supplement formulated especially for carps. The formulation is based on extensive set of information made available by toxicologists and biologists on uptake mechanism and physiological interactions of micro and macronutrients in fish.

For the talk link and time, head to the "Schedule" tab.

Crickets use sound to find each other space over which potential mates can sense each other is determined by the loudness of song and the sensitivity of the auditory system. According to the textbooks, this space is enhanced purely ‘passively’ through morphology and mechanical resonance. Song producing wings and females' ears resonate at the same frequency enhancing the size of their acoustic space. But some crickets didn’t read the textbook. In this talk, I will present my research on Oecanthus henryi which is one such species. O. henryi is a tree cricket, and males of this species use an active behavioural strategy to make themselves louder. They manufacture an acoustic baffle, a tool that makes them louder. In fact, using a series of models and experiments, we showed that not only do they manufacture a tool, but they manufacture an optimal tool. Not to be outdone, we found that O. henryi females, have an active physiological amplification system in their ears. Using careful neurobiology we show that the amplifier doesn’t actually make them more sensitive than other crickets, as previously speculated. Rather, it allows them to change the frequency that they are sensitive to. Both findings underline the poverty of our descriptions of invertebrate behaviour and biophysics, and point to a wealth of innovations yet to be discovered even among these ‘simple’ organisms.

For the talk link and time, head to the "Schedule" tab.

With a degree in biology, the logical next step seems to be: enter academia or enter a research-based field. But the options don't have to end there, as you will learn in our career workshop. Join our panel of industry professionals who all started in biology but charted their own course and have become experts in their respective fields. You won't want to miss this very interesting career workshop to explore all the different career options possible for a biology graduate.

For the panel link and time, head to the "Schedule" tab.

The past year has taken a toll on student mental health. Add the unique stressors that graduate students already face, the experience of burn-out, and poor mental health may be amplified for many. Join us in this workshop led by Shaila Khan as she guides us through

1) Tuning into your unique stress responses

2) Reviewing well-being strategies for internalized stress and the role of health

3) Importance of self-care and practice for resiliency

4) Practice mindful movement through art-based exercise (bring your pastels/markers and paper!)

5) Learn about on and off-campus resources

For the workshop link and time, head to the "Schedule" tab.

In your career in science you will need to deal with data and (probably) analysis code. It’s easy to take shortcuts here, but there are common pitfalls such as losing your data that can end up being costly. We want to show it is also easy to improve your project management and prevent such disasters. We’ll go through a demo illustrating a few basic principles, and show you some tools, to help you on your way to become a professional project manager.

For the workshop link and time, head to the "Schedule" tab.