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Leading the Vision
Barun Mahata, PhD
Dr. Barun Mahata leads the EpiEdit Lab at inStem, where his group develops programmable molecular tools to study and engineer gene-regulatory systems, including the epigenome, transcriptome and epitranscriptome. His research integrates CRISPR-based regulation, genome engineering, synthetic biology and cell-fate programming to understand how gene expression can be precisely controlled in mammalian cells.
Before joining inStem, Dr. Mahata carried out postdoctoral research at Rice University, where he worked on next-generation epigenome editing technologies. He contributed to the development of CRISPR-DREAM, a compact CRISPR activation platform designed for precise and efficient control of endogenous gene expression.
His earlier research background includes cancer biology, tumor immunology, and genome editing, with studies on glioblastoma-associated immune suppression and tumor-cell regulation. Together, these experiences shape the EpiEdit Lab’s broader goal of building advanced molecular systems for disease modelling, cellular reprogramming, and future therapeutic applications.
In addition to his research, Dr. Mahata is passionate about mentoring young scientists and fostering an interdisciplinary research environment. He actively collaborates with researchers across diverse fields to accelerate innovation in programmable biology.
Meet the Minds behind our Research
Our lab fosters a collaborative, inclusive and curiosity-driven environment where innovation is encouraged and scientific rigor is upheld. We value open communication, mutual respect and continuous learning, creating a supportive space for both independent inquiry and teamwork. With a strong commitment to mentorship and professional growth, we empower each member to contribute meaningfully to our shared mission. Our culture emphasizes integrity, accountability and a passion for advancing translational research that can make a tangible impact on human health.
Swagata Adhikari, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar
She is an epigenetics and chromatin biology researcher with expertise in transcriptional regulation, cancer biology, and programmable epigenome engineering. She earned her PhD from the Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics in 2025, India, where she investigated the role of UBR7 in regulating TGFβ signaling, extracellular matrix remodeling and metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer. She is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at BRIC-inStem in Bengaluru, developing CRISPR-based epigenome-engineering tools for precise control of endogenous gene expression and cell fate. Her research interests focus on chromatin dynamics, transcriptional regulation, cancer epigenetics, and the identification of therapeutic vulnerabilities through targeted epigenetic modulation.
Sabitree Patel, MSc
Project Associate
She is a Project Associate in the lab, holding an MSc in Biotechnology from the University of Hyderabad. She is interested in developing CRISPR-based gene therapy strategies and is motivated to contribute to advancing genome engineering for therapeutic applications. At the EpiEdit Lab, she is expanding her expertise in molecular biology and genome engineering while working on projects that support the lab's research goals.
Outside the laboratory, she enjoys dancing, learning new sports, trying new cuisines and exploring the city.
Anwesha Dutta, MSc
PhD Scholar
She is a first-year PhD student in the Lab. She completed her Master's in Biotechnology from the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram. She is also a Khorana Scholar and previously worked as a Visiting Assistant in Research at Yale University. Her current research focuses on engineering programmable CRISPR activation systems by designing novel RNA–protein interaction modules to achieve more precise and versatile control of gene expression.
Outside the lab, she can often be found on a tea run, doing laps in the pool, or happily tucked away in her room with a paintbrush in hand.
From EpiEdit Lab to the World
The journey doesn't end here. Our alumni carry forward the values of scientific excellence, integrity and collaboration into diverse careers spanning academia, industry, entrepreneurship and clinical research. As ambassadors of our lab, they continue to contribute to groundbreaking discoveries and mentor future generations, strengthening our growing global network of researchers.
Advait Shenoy, MSc
Masters Dissertation Student
January 2026 - June 2026
He completed his MSc thesis in the lab. He earned his MSc in Biotechnology from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham. During his thesis, he worked on engineering and functionally characterizing a CRISPR-based gene activation platform using human transcription factor domains. His experience in an interdisciplinary research environment strengthened his interest in genome engineering, gene regulation, synthetic biology and translational research.
Outside the lab, he enjoys traveling, exploring new cuisines playing volleyball, singing, reading about emerging technologies and keeping up with the latest developments in science and innovation.
Baibhab Chakraborty, MSc
Masters Dissertation Student
March 2026 - July 2026
He joined the lab as a masters dissertation trainee. He recently completed his Integrated MSc in Biotechnology from St. Xavier's College (Autonomous), Kolkata and plans to join NCCS, Pune for his PhD. His research interests include immunology, autoimmunity, host-pathogen interactions, cell biology & molecular biology. At the EpiEdit Lab, he worked on developing epigenome editing strategies for Prader - Willi Syndrome associated genes.
Outside the lab, he enjoys photography and digital designing, where he combines creativity with scientific communication. He also designed the EpiEdit Lab logo, contributing to the lab's visual identity.
Anoushka Shrivastava, BTech
inStem SuRF 2026 Scholar
May 2026 - July 2026
She is a fifth-year Integrated Dual Degree (BTech–MTech) student in Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering at IIT (BHU), Varanasi. Her research interests lie in drug discovery, targeted drug delivery, nanotechnology, molecular biology and gene editing, with a focus on developing innovative therapeutic strategies through interdisciplinary approaches.
Outside the laboratory, she enjoys reading, listening to music, traveling and seeking new experiences.
Yashvi Jayswal, BSc
Research Intern
June 2026
She is an MSc Microbiology student at Gandhinagar University with a strong interest in molecular biology, microbiology and genome editing. She recently completed a research internship at the EpiEdit Lab, where she gained hands-on experience in advanced molecular biology techniques.
Outside the lab, she enjoys traveling, photography and exploring new places.
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