Sai University Neuroscience Students Visit IISER Tirupati for Academic Immersion and Research Exposure

As part of Sai University’s commitment to fostering scientific curiosity and research-driven learning, students from the B.Sc. and Ph.D. Neuroscience programs visited the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati (IISER Tirupati) on 25 November 2025. The academic visit was led by Dr. Anil Annamneedi, and graciously hosted by Dr. Vasudharani Devanathan, Associate Professor and Chair of Biological Sciences at IISER Tirupati.

Research Talks and Scientific Engagement

Students attended a series of short research talks from scholars and researchers across two neuroscience laboratories led by:

• Dr. Vasudharani Devanathan

• Dr. Anand Kumar Singh

They also participated in an expert lecture titled “Central Nervous System Drug Development and Challenges” delivered by Dr. Ambrish Saxena. The sessions helped students connect theoretical concepts with real-world research applications.

Laboratory Visits & Hands-on Exposure

Post-lunch, students explored a range of research and academic facilities, including:

🔬 Fly Lab – Dr. Anand Kumar Singh

• Fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) maintenance

• Experimental setups using model organisms
  

🧬 Neurometabolism Lab – Dr. Vasudharani Devanathan

• Cell culture systems

• Gene-editing tools

• Western blotting setup
  

🧪 Instrumentation Facility

• Flow cytometry

• Advanced microscopy systems

  
  

In addition, students had the unique opportunity to witness the Eastern Ghats Wildlife Symposium, hosted by the Ecology faculty at IISER Tirupati.

A Pathway to Future Research Opportunities

The immersive experience has opened doors to potential future collaborations, including internships, research projects, and final thesis work for SaiU Neuroscience students.

This academic visit highlights Sai University’s continuous effort to connect students with top-tier research institutions and nurture their scientific aspirations.