Cheranda Koushik Ponnanna

About              

Dr. Cheranda Koushik Ponnanna obtained Ph.D in Genetics from the University of Mysore. Manasagangothri, Mysore. Ponnanna hails from B. Shettigeri, Kodagu.

Family

Father: Cheranda Ravi Thimmaiah

Mother: Cheranda Usha Ravi

Wife: Cheranda Dilina Dechamma

Education

• Ph.D. in Genetics
  University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore – 2021
  Thesis: “Unravelling the Genomic Organization of Chromosomes 2 and 4 in Six Members of the nasuta-albomicans Complex of Drosophila by Whole Genome Sequence, Gene Expression and Regulation Profile.”
• Master of Science (M.Sc.)
  University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore – 2013
• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
  Mahajana First Grade College, Mysore – 2010
• Pre-University Education
  SVEI, Mysore
• Schooling
  Notre Dame and SCHS, Mysore

Career

Dr. Koushik Ponnanna began his academic journey as a Guest Faculty at the University of Mysore. He then transitioned to the industry as a Senior Genome Analyst at MedGenome Labs, Bangalore. Driven by a strong passion for research, he later joined the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Phoenix, Arizona, as a Visiting Fellow.

His current research focuses on leveraging bioinformatics approaches to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the progression of diabetes and obesity.

Achievements and Awards

• Best Presenter Award, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, USA – 2023
• Fellows Award for Research Excellence (FARE), NIH, Bethesda, USA – 2026
• Published research articles and book chapters in reputed scientific journals
• All India Rank 46 – Joint CSIR-UGC Test for JRF and Lectureship – 2014
• All India Rank 1512 – GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) – 2014
• Qualified KSET (Karnataka State Eligibility Test) for Lecturer/Assistant Professor – 2014
• Summer Research Fellowship – Indian Academy of Sciences; trained at NIPGR, New Delhi – 2009