About me
I am an aspiring ecologist and evolutionary biologist!
I am currently a PhD student in the Motta Lab at Texas A&M University and I am studying how honeybee gut microbiome shapes their detoxification pathways. I am always motivated by interdisciplinary approaches to decoding complex host-microbiome interactions. I have some experiences on working in experimental evolutionary paradigms and field based community ecology projects in India. Apart from research, I am a hobbyist photographer and a singer-songwriter.
Resume
Summary
Aritra Bhattacharya
I am always open to take up challanges and ready to learn new skills. Phenomena of ecology and evolutionary biology thrills me. I always aspire to be in a space where I can pursue interdisciplinary research.
- College Station, TX, USA
- ecoevoaritra23@tamu.edu
- aritra.bhattacharya@agnet.tamu.edu
Education
PhD in Entomolology
2023 - present
Texas A&M University, College station, Texas, USA
I am interested in diverse aspects of ecology and evolutionary biology, more precisely, the role of gut microbiome in insect health.
Master of Science in Biotechnology
2020 - 2022
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, West Bengal, India
I worked at the Evolutionary Immunology Lab at Ashoka University, Haryana, India for my master's thesis. I did some experiments to check the rate of evolution of resistance against different pathogens in Tribolium beetles.
Bachelor of Science in Zoology
2016 - 2020
Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Centenary College, Rahara, West Bengal, India
I worked on the butterfly community in and around our campus during my BSc. I documented the butterfly species existing in that area and observed how their community changes with the vegetation pattern all through the year. I also worked on their association with different invasive and native plants in their habitat.
Professional Experience
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Fall, 2023 - Spring, 2024, Summer, 2025 - Present
Dept. of Biology, Dept. of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
- Teaching undergraduate lab course.
- Grading student assignments.
- Holding office hours to address students' concerns.
- Setting up questions for lab exams.
- Proctoring exams.
Graduate Research Assistant
Summer, 2024 - Spring, 2025
Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
I worked on influences of host factors for the transmission of Zika virus. My primary role included conducting experiments, analyzing data, maintaining mosquito populations at the lab, training the undergraduates and maintaining other resources.
Project Assistant
July, 2022 - March, 2023
Evolutionary Immunology Lab, Ashoka University, Sonepat, Haryana, India
I studied sperm competition abilities of Tribolium beetles and the role of chronic malnutrition in disease transmission in Drosophila as a research assistant after completing my MSc.
Publications
- Dutta, T., Bhattacharya, A., 2022. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Making Sense of Existing GWAS Findings in Indian Context. Int J Biomed Clin Anal., 2(1):29-37
- Bhattacharya, A., Chakraborty, S., Das, K.L., Saha, A., Sardar,S., Mandal, B., Murkherjee, A. and Mitra, B. 2018. Temporal diversity of urban butterflies: A case study in the campus of Ramakrishna mission Vivekananda centenary College, Rahara, West Bengal. The Pharma Innovation Journal, 7(12): 395-400.
Teaching
Pedagogy - "We learn together, we grow together": I try to follow interactive methods in class, I ask questions while I explain a concept & I expect my students to interact with me. I often give real life examples to students so that they can visualize a concept.
I have taught BIOL 111 (Introductory Biology I) in Fall, 2023 and BIOL 319 (Integrated Human Anatomy and Physiology I)
in Spring, 2024, FIVS 210 (Forensic Photography) in Fall, 2025 and Spring, 2026. I am teaching FIVS 215 (Forensic Microscopy) in Fall, 2026.
My Schedule
My activities are mostly limited to my courseworks, my labworks and teachings. If you think you need to talk to me, feel free to shoot me an email and we can definitely schedule a meeting as per my availability.
Photos
The predator with its prey!
Curious me..!!!!
Butterflies hug me too..!!
Isn't that model cute?!
That's me!, presenting my stuff @ ISEB4, Ahmedabad, India
In front of my new home!
Just a regular working day @Evolutionary Immunology Lab, Ashoka University, India.
Fields are always fun!(Cormorants in their natural habitat).
Silverline...
That's me, the best TA!!! (demo class during TA workshop)