KANISHK WALAVALKAR
BSc (Blended) : Environmental Science
Apart from ecological and evolutionary research I am vividly interested in philosophy, psychology, history, and politics. Being a science grad I rarely get to venture other streams but I try to make the most of the free time I get. Unlike most urban zillennials, I have strong political opinions and am intrigued by the influences of ecological processes on sociological elements. I love trailing into the woods (literally any woods), swimming (only in tested waters), reading, bingeing sitcoms, eating (more like hogging) and nerd rants.
Brief work outline
I have worked on courtship behaviour of amphibians as well as served as a research intern at a Drosophila neuoroscience lab. I have been a part of 2 field projects in various parts of coastal and mainland Maharashtra. I am efficient in data analysis and research analytics of various observational data relating to animal behaviour. I have organized excursion activities within the state for wildlife safaris and nature trails.
I am currently working on Elasmobranch Conservation in Malvan and am also involved in a project concerning stage-structured models.
QUALIFICATIONS
MATRICULATION
Central Board of Secondary Education
School: City International School, Kothrud
Percentage: 79.2
HIGHER SECONDARY EDUCATION
Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education
Institute: M.E.S.'s Higher Secondary School, BSM Campus
Percentage: 78.2
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE
Savitribai Phule Pune University/ University of Melbourne
Department: Interdisciplinary School of Science
CGPA: 9.34
Percentage: 86.8
EXPERIENCE
Environmental Factors Influencing Croaking and Amplexing Behaviours in Anurans
Supervisor: Dr. Shobha Bhargava, Emeritus Professor, Department of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University
Worked collaboratively for a 6-month tenure in order to determine the influence of anthropogenic factors on the functional sensitivity of Anurans.
Courtship Behaviour in Model Organisms
Supervisor: Amitabha Majumdar, PhD, Scientist D, National Center for Cell Science
Studied the time-dependent courtship enthusiasm in model organism, Drosophila melanogaster, in the form of a memory-assay experiment.
Fish Feeding Behaviour and Coral Quadrat Data Analysis
Supervisor: Dr. Kartik Shanker, Chair, Center for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru
Coding and observing foraging and feeding behavior of fish species of the Andaman islands by video and quadrat data analysis for determining the abundance of Crustose Coralline Algae.
ESG Intern
GreenTree Capital and Asset Management
Assisting in the formulation of sustainable development plans for construction activities in and around Midwestern USA and Shanghai, China.
Elasmobranch Conservation
Dakshin Foundation/Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru
Conducted landing center surveys and boat sampling for capture-recapture analysis. Involved in community-outreach programmes in and around the Malvan region in order to garner community-based research interests.
CERTIFICATIONS AND EXAMINATIONS
GATE ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION 2023
AIR: 86
GATE Marks (out of 100) : 55.33 (Qualifying marks : GEN 42.6)
GATE Score : 558
All India Rank : 86 (out of a total 2086 students)
A nation-wide entrance exam conducted by IIT Kanpur. The paper consists of 5 major subjects (Ecology, Evolution, Mathematics and Quantitative Ecology, Behavioral Ecology, Applied Ecology and Evolution)
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MOLECULAR BIOLOGY FOR BEGINNERS
IISER Pune
A practical workshop conducted by IISER Pune to train young aspirants the basics of molecular biology. These are paid workshops that happen at two levels: basic (primarily for school and college students) and advanced (primarily for TY BSc, MSc and PhD students ). The primary aim of these workshops is to train students in basic and advanced techniques of Molecular Biology (gDNA extraction, PCR, Blast) .
SKY101X : BACKYARD METEOROLOGY : THE SCIENCE OF WEATHER
Harvard University
The weather forecasts we see every day are based an army of meteorological sensing networks and intensive computer modeling. Before the rise of these technologies, forecasts were made by understanding cloud formations and wind directions.
This course will explore the science behind weather systems by teaching the observational skills needed to make a forecast without using instruments or computer models. We’ll discuss the physical processes driving weather and the global forces that shape global climate systems. Finally, we will examine the limits of prediction in both human observations and computer models.
Can the flap of a butterfly's wings in Brazil set off a tornado in Texas? Take this course to find out!
HISSING HERPS : CERTIFICATE COURSE IN BASIC HERPETOLOGY
INHER Pune
Take a peek into the world of beautiful snakes, frogs, crocodiles, and, host of other reptiles and amphibians. Herpetology is the study of reptiles and amphibians. Although cold blooded, herps are a fascinating animals, displaying various characters like strength, aggression, love and more intelligence that most people think. With more than 600 species of reptiles and 400 species of amphibians, India is a country with rich herpetofauna.
AMAZING ARTHROPODS : CERTIFICATE COURSE IN ARTHROPOD BIOLOGY
INHER Pune
They are all around us - in the gardens, forests, waters and even in our homes. Buzzing, hopping, flying - insects are fascinating creatures. If you are curious about them then you are in for lot of fun. Here is a course that introduces you to the world of of scorpions, spiders, moths, butterflies, ants and many more creatures. To create scientific awareness about the world of Arthropods, their role in nature and conservation among students and common people.
DINO 101 : DINOSAUR PALEOBIOLOGY: CERTIFICATE COURSE IN PALEOBIOLOGY
University of Alberta
Dino 101: Dinosaur Paleobiology teaches a comprehensive overview of non-avian dinosaurs. Lessons are delivered from museums, fossil-preparation labs and dig sites. Topics covered: anatomy, eating, locomotion, growth, environmental and behavioral adaptations, origins and extinction. Lessons are delivered from museums, fossil-preparation labs and dig sites. Estimated workload: 3-5 hrs/week.
CHIMPANZEE BEHAVIOR AND CONSERVATION
Duke University
Chimpanzees are one of our closest living relatives, yet almost nothing was known about their behavior in the wild until Jane Goodall started her groundbreaking study of the chimpanzees of Gombe, Tanzania in 1960. This study continues today, following the same chimpanzee families that Jane Goodall first encountered over 55 years ago.
SOUTH ASIAN RELIGIONS AND ECOLOGY
Yale University
This course is for lifelong learners curious to know more about world religions and ecology, environmental professionals eager to deepen the discourse of environmental protection and conservation, those working with non-profit organizations and NGOs on issues of ecological justice, and religion leaders and laity who wish to know how they can contribute to interreligious dialogue on environmental projects.
OTHER
As a result of overenthusiasm and slight ADHD I have been a part of some other activities which aren't as closely related to my educational field. You can browse through them if you are that interested.
KALPANA
Telescope making team, SciPop, IUCAA
I have been a part of a telescope making team and was responsible for grinding and polishing the mirrors.Â
Specifications of the telescope:
8-inch Newtonian telescope with an equatorial mount.
BSC (BLENDED) RESEARCH CAMP
University of Melbourne (19 November - 27 November 2022)
Various research activities and lectures organized by the University of Melbourne to familiarize select students of the BSc (Blended) programme to the research facility and to introduce life in the city of Melbourne. (Funded and Sponsored by the University of Melbourne and Savitribai Phule Pune University)
NAMBI NARAYANAN PLAY
Directed a play for the University of Melbourne delegates visiting our department (IDSS, SPPU) revolving around the life contributions of Dr. Nambi Narayanan towards the Indian Space Research Organization and his unjust struggle for the advancement of ISRO.
CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT
Amboli, Maharashtra
Participated in a 3-day citizen science project involving the study of bioluminiscence, and a rare water lily. Participated through the Citizen Science Network.
