Sathya Velmurugan

Biography

Sathya Velmurugan is a Scientist-C in National institute of Animal Biotechnology. Education and training: Dr. Sathya Velmurugan completed B.V.Sc. (2003) from Madras Veterinary College, TANUVAS, M.V.Sc. (2006; in Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology & Obstetrics) from College of Veterinary Science, Punjab Agricultural University (now GADVASU), and Ph.D. (2009; Biomedical Sciences – Neuroendocrinology) from the University of Edinburgh, UK. She then worked as a Post-doctoral Fellow (2009-2013) at the Rush University Medical Center and Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science, U.S.A. She joined NIAB in 2013. Research experience and interests: Dr. Velmurugan is interested in studying the regulation of ovarian physiology using novel tools to address ovarian disorders in livestock. Her lab is focused on the role of kisspeptin, a novel hypothalamic neuropeptide that is also expressed in non-neuronal tissues such as ovaries, in the regulation of ovarian follicular dynamics. In addition, she is also interested in understanding the modulation of regulatory pathways in ovaries by metabolites such as ketone bodies so as to tackle ovulatory disorders during metabolic disturbances in livestock. Apart from this, she is focusing on genetic and molecular basis of fecundity in highly prolific indigenous goats. Selected awards, honours and fellowships: Overseas Research Students Award by Scottish Funding Council – For PhD (2006-2009). College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine PhD Studentship by the University of Edinburgh – For PhD (2006-2009). Three International Travel Awards: From the Physiological Society (for the Young Physiologists Symposium and the Main Meeting of the Physiological Society 2008, University of Cambridge, UK), from the British Society for Neuroendocrinology (for attending Society for Neuroscience 2009 and Neuropeptides – 19th Neuropharmacology Conference, Chicago) and from World Congress on Neurohypophyseal Hormones (WCNH; for attending 7th WCNH 2009, Kitakyushu, Japan). Award of Junior Research Fellowship by ICAR – For M.V.Sc (2003-2005). Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s First Graduate Merit Scholarship for B.V.Sc (1997-2003).

Research Interest

Dr. Velmurugan is interested in studying the regulation of ovarian physiology using novel tools to address ovarian disorders in livestock. Her lab is focused on the role of kisspeptin, a novel hypothalamic neuropeptide that is also expressed in non-neuronal tissues such as ovaries, in the regulation of ovarian follicular dynamics. In addition, she is also interested in understanding the modulation of regulatory pathways in ovaries by metabolites such as ketone bodies so as to tackle ovulatory disorders during metabolic disturbances in livestock. Apart from this, she is focusing on genetic and molecular basis of fecundity in highly prolific indigenous goats.