Team WGL
With a shared interest in and love for wildlife, our team of committed professionals brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm to the fields of science and conservation.
Director & Head
Udayan Borthakur
Udayan established the Wildlife Genetics Laboratory of Aaranyak in 2008 and has been actively involved with the organisation ever since. Udayan strives to address the pressing issues facing endangered species and imperilled ecosystems in South Asia by fusing molecular biology, ecology, wildlife crime investigations, and conservation policy. He is also an avid nature and wildlife photographer and has keen interest in self-defence and strength training.
Conservation Geneticist
Pranjal Kumar Das
Pranjal Kr. Das is working in North East India, with a career in wildlife conservation since 2009. He started as a researcher at Wildlife Genetics Laboratory of Aaranyak and has since been engaged in conservation-focused research, using genetic tools and data-driven scientific approaches to support evidence-based wildlife conservation in the region.
Ph.D. Candidate
Rumana Maheen
Rumana a final-year PhD scholar studying phylogenetics of sinica group of Macaques. She is driven by a profound fascination with forests, wildlife, and the interplay between biology, environment, and genetics. For Rumana, learning is a lifelong commitment—where the love for knowledge and the knowledge of love together define the essence of life.
Wildlife Biologist
Partha Pratim Das
Partha Pratim Das is a biologist with a special interest in avifauna. He holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Biology and Wildlife Sciences and a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Cotton University. His interests centre on bird ecology and field-based studies, and he enjoys nature photography as a hobby, using it as a way to observe and document wildlife
Researcher
Nayanjyoti Moran
Nayanjyoti Moran is a wildlife researcher and ecologist with interests in lepidoptera, urban ecology, community ecology, and nature education. He is a postgraduate in Environmental Biology and Wildlife Sciences. His interests include understanding ecological interactions and biodiversity patterns, and fostering meaningful connections with nature through observation, research, and learning. Beyond his research, he enjoys observing trees, birds, and butterflies, and documenting nature through photography.
Alumni
We celebrate the achievements and journeys of former members of our laboratory. Our alumni continue to make meaningful contributions across academia, industry, and conservation. This space highlights their accomplishments, fosters continued connection with the lab, and inspires current members through their experiences and success stories.
Chandramika Nath
Chandramika Nath is a wildlife researcher studying physiological stress in wild animals using non-invasive faecal glucocorticoid analysis and population genetics. Her interests include genetics, urban ecology, physiology, behavioural ecology, conservation, biostatistics, and birdwatching.
Nipan Kumar Gogoi
Nipan Kumar Gogoi is currently a co-founder of HyFood (Nutrixeric LLP), specializing in dehydrated vegetables, herbs, and ethnic food products from North East India. He began his career as Deputy Manager at WGL, where he contributed to operational management, applied biological sciences, and research initiatives. Driven by a passion for agricultural innovation and value-added processing, he resigned in 2025 to launch his food processing venture.
Rashmi Rani Boro
Rashmi Rani Boro is currently working as a Project Associate at National Institute of Plant Genome Research, New Delhi. She is a dedicated plant molecular biologist started her early career research at University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna where her interest in plant and molecular biology developed. She was associated with WGL, Aaranyak for two years, where she conducted field-based assessments of gibbon populations alongside molecular analyses of genetic diversity.
Mitrajit Deb
Dr. Mitrajit Deb is an ecologist working in Northeast India with over a decade of experience in wildlife research, education, and community-based conservation. A WWF–India Conservation Catalyst Programme (CCP) grant recipient, his work integrates field ecology, participatory monitoring, and science communication to support evidence-based conservation planning.
Ankur Neog
Ankur Neog is currently working as an educator in Bangkok, Thailand. He began his career as a researcher at WGL, Aaranyak in 2016, where he was involved in projects focused on the population genetics of Asian elephants. Driven by a strong interest in applied biological sciences, he later moved to Thailand in 2019 to pursue further studies in Forensic Science.
Thejavitso Chase
Thejavitso Chase is a researcher and illustrator working at the intersection of ecology, conservation, and visual storytelling. His work focuses on amphibian ecology, biodiversity documentation, and science communication. He has contributed to research, outreach, and creative projects with academic institutions, NGOs, and international organizations.
Angan Biswas
Angan is an experienced conservation professional working in the sector since 2019. He currently serves as an Assistant Project Manager at Nature Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS), where he leads initiatives on human–wildlife interaction and ecosystem restoration. Earlier, he worked in northern West Bengal with WGL, Aaranyak.
