Our Team

Vijay Bhaskar Reddy Konala

Head - Product and Compliance

Dr Konala is an experienced cell biologist with over 18 years of global expertise in biotechnology and clinical research, specializing in stem cell technologies, IVF, and molecular biology. He possesses extensive knowledge in human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), including their generation, characterization, and generating multiple progenies with a focus on scalable cell replacement therapies. He holds a Ph.D. in Life Sciences from AMET University, Chennai and has received advanced training at Lonza and Ova Science. Prior to Eyestem he worked as Principal Scientist at Yashraj Biotechnology, Mumbai. At Eyestem, he will be responsible for product development and its compliance related activities.

Lalitha Soundararajan

Research Scientist

Lalitha completed her graduation and post-graduation in Biotechnology from Bharathiar University, Tamil Nadu. During her post-graduation dissertation she studied the mutations in Butyrylcholinesterase gene that is linked to Alzheimer’s disease. She then obtained her PhD in Biotechnology from RGCB, Trivandrum where she worked on the role of Pax6 during retinal development and axon guidance using conditional knock-out animal models and retinal explants. Currently at Eyestem, she is working on retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and photoreceptor progenitor cells for the treatment of for Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). She is also leading the project on AAV-based gene augmentation as a potential therapeutic strategy for inherited retinal disorders.

Harshini Surendran

Research Scientist

Harshini completed B.Tech (Biotechnology) from Anna University and Masters in Science (by Research) from the University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology. She started her research career at the Institute of Medical Biology (IMB), ASTAR, Singapore on translation control and its involvement in human pathology. Then at the Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine, MAHE, Bangalore she learned pluripotent stem cells based modelling of lung and nervous system disorders. Currently at Eyestem, she is working on retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and photoreceptor progenitor cells for the treatment of for Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP).

Sudeshna Dhar

Senior QC Analyst

Sudeshna completed M.Sc (Applied Microbiology) from Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT). She commenced her research career at Tata Translational Cancer Research Center (TTCRC), Kolkata, in the area of MRD in paediatric ALL. Then she joined Immuneel Therapeutics as a QC analyst. She is a trained molecular biologist and has over 4 years of experience in CGT Quality Control and Quality management systems. Currently at Eyestem, she will take care of QC release assays, method validations and QMS.

Jyoti Lavaniya

Project Co-ordinator

Jyoti holds a Bachelor’s degree in Optometry from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, and a Master’s in Optometry from Capital University. She has experience working as an Optometrist and Clinical Research Coordinator, involving clinical trials on retinal diseases, including Wet/Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD), Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), and Proliferative/Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR/NPDR) at AIIMS, New Delhi. She is also BCVA-certified by Clinical Edge, OptymEdge, and KlinTrial. At Eyestem, she will be coordinating the ongoing clinical trial for treating dry-AMD.

Rashmi Prabhu

Senior Research Fellow

Rashmi completed her Masters from Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine. She started her career in biotechnology by gaining experience with Mesenchymal Stem Cells from various adult tissues. In 2019, she joined “The Accelerator program for Discovery in Brain disorders using Stem cells” (ADBS), NCBS to generate patient-specific iPSCs from various mental illnesses. At Eyestem she is working to develop iPSC – derived neural progenitor cells and their derivatives as a potential treatment of Parkinson’s Disease.

Srishti Joshi

Junior Research Fellow

Srishti completed her B.Tech (Biotechnology) from Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (G.B.P.U.A.T.), Uttarakhand and M.Tech from the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT). During her dissertation from the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, she helped in construction of various reporter lines using mouse embryonic stem cells to study proteins involved in blastulation and gastrulation. At Eyestem, she is involved in gene therapy of inherited retinal disorders via AAV mediated gene augmentation.

Nikshitha Ramanath

Junior Research Fellow

Nikshitha holds a Master’s degree (by Research) in Biotherapeutics from Manipal Centre for Biotherapeutics Research (MCBR), MAHE, Manipal. She has hands-on industrial research experience through a 1.5-year internship at Stempeutics Research Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore working on immortalizing Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) and evaluating their therapeutic applications. At Eyestem, she is contributing to developing iPSC-derived Retinal Pigmented Epithelium (RPE) for the treatment of dry-AMD.

Vagmi Prafulla

Junior Research Fellow

Vagmi has completed her Master’s in Life Science from Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAV), Indore. She has research experience as a Project Trainee from Tata Memorial Centre-Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (TMC-ACTREC), Navi Mumbai where she studied the development of chemo-radiotherapy resistance in cervical cancer. At Eyestem, she is involved in the development of iPSC-derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) for the treatment of dry-AMD.

Mamatha Jayagopal

Senior Manager, Finance

Mamatha did her Masters in Finance from Annamalai University. Prior to Eyestem, she worked at the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore as a Project Assistant, Finance and Accounts. Currently at Eyestem, Mamatha takes care of financial transactions and systems, maintains all accounting and legal records as well as conducts administrative tasks.

Muskan Khamar

Finance & Admin Assistant & HR

Having earned a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Finance and Banking from Maharani Cluster University, Muskan possess over a year of hands-on experience as a Finance Admin Assistant and HR at Eyestem. Her role involves managing diverse responsibilities, including overseeing financial operations, maintaining accurate records, streamlining administrative workflows, and ensuring seamless execution of human resource functions.

Yashdeep Phanse

Senior Scientist

Dr. Phanse is a cellular immunobiologist with over two decades of research experience in academia and industry, specializing in vector-based delivery systems—including AAVs, adenoviruses, and nanoparticles—for DNA, mRNA, proteins, and siRNA in translational applications such as gene therapy and vaccines. He earned his master’s degree in biotechnology from Devi Ahilya University, Indore, and a Ph.D. in Immunobiology from Iowa State University, Ames, IA. As a scientist in the laboratory of Prof. David Gamm at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, he developed a photoreceptor-specific promoter and a novel strategy to enhance AAV transduction efficiency in retinal organoids. At Eyestem, his role involves effective vector designing, organoid-based screening, and in vivo validation to accelerate the development of accessible, scalable therapies for currently incurable genetic disorders.

Mayuri Sarda

QA Executive

Mayuri completed her BSc in Microbiology from the DSM college, Parbhani, Maharashtra, followed by MSc in Microbiology from the Government Institute of Science, Aurangabad (Ch. Sambhajinagar). She has five years of experience in developing, implementing, and maintaining quality systems to ensure regulatory compliance in the field of cell and gene therapy. She has expertise in managing inspections, audits, CAPA, change control, and quality documentation. With a strong background in microbiology and a Lead QMS Auditor certification, Mayuri contributes to continuous improvement and quality excellence within the organization.

Sneha S Kumar

Project Assistant

Sneha completed her Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) in Biotechnology with a specialization in Regenerative Medicine from SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, followed by a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Stem Cell Technology and Regenerative Biology from the MIRM, MAHE, Bangalore. During her dissertation and subsequent internship, she investigated the role of stress-related de-ubiquitinases in the derivation of pancreatic β-cells from mouse embryonic stem cells in the context of Type 2 Diabetes. Currently, she supports ongoing R&D activities related to product development. She also assists in inventory and procurement management and ensures compliance with safety and quality standards within the laboratory.