A DSIR-Recognised Research Institute
Prayoga works at the intersection of education practice and policy - generating evidence that shapes how children are taught across India
To bring about a transformation in society by enhancing the utility and quality of learning through research
Our aim is sustained, grassroots-level transformation in education.
A world where every individual has opportunity to live better.
Prayoga's work begins with a question most education systems avoid: are the fundamental assumptions of how we teach children correct? Each programme pursues that question through long-term study, careful design, and methods borrowed from science applied directly to the classroom. The work is built for India. Every programme is conceived with India's diversity in mind, tested in real schools before it is taken to scale, and designed to produce findings that the wider education system can use. Over time, the aim is to build India's own benchmarks for educational quality standards that reflect its schools, its languages, and its circumstances.
CSR Partners
Advisory Board
Padma Vibhushan Dr M. N. Venkatachalaiah
Former Chief Justice of India
Chairperson, Advisory Board
Padma Bhushan Prof. P. Balaram
Former Director, IISc R. Bruce Merrifield Awardee
Dr. P. R. Krishnaswamy
Former Chief of Pathology, Jaslok Hospital; Visiting Professor, Cornell University; Special invitee - Nobel Committee for Physiology and Medicine, 1985 International Cancer Union Fellow
Padma Shri Dr. A. S. Kiran Kumar
Former Chairman, ISRO Chairman, PRL Management Council Recipient of Chevalier of the Légion d’Honneur
Prof. T. N. Guru Row
Professor Emeritus IISc Renowned Crystallographer Prof Y.T. Thathachari Prestigious Research Awardee
Prof. Y. Narahari
Hon. Professor, Department of Computer Science and Automation, IISc; Recipient of Sir M Visvesvaraya Life Time Achievement Award for Senior Scientists/Engineers
Dr. S. N. Omkar
Chief Research Scientist, IISc Honorary Professor, Vedic Wellness University
Prof. Nagasuma Chandra
Professor, Biochemistry, IISc Recipient of National Bioscience Award for Career Development
Ethics Committee
Dr. Uma V. Manjappara
Principal Scientist, CFTRI.
Justice Krishna Bhat
Chairman - Ethics Committee, Prayoga
Dr. Venkatappa Krishna Murthy
Professor of Chemistry, Dayananda Sagar University
Dr. H. S. Ganesh Bhatta
Educational Consultant, MES Institutions
Prof. H. S. Jayanthi
Core Committee Member, NAAC Accreditation
Dr. K. S. Nagabhushana
Director - Research
Sri. N. Vidyashankar
Head - Social Innovations and Partnerships
Trustees
Dr. H. S. Nagaraja
Chairman Founder and Chief Mentor, Prayoga
Vallish Herur
Executive Chairman, Prayoga
B. R. Nagaraj
Trustee
Praveen Subramanyam
Trustee
Ashwini Herur
Trustee
Prof. H. S. Jayanthi
Core Committee Member, NAAC Accreditation
Mr. Balakrishna Adiga
Trustee
Leadership
Our leadership is committed to pioneering advancements in experiential science education, combining expertise, vision, and a deep dedication to transforming learning experiences for students across India.
Dr. H. S. Nagaraja
Founder and Chief Mentor
A distinguished educationist, forever-committed teacher, philanthropist, board member of several organisations and a responsible social citizen, Dr. Nagaraja's journey is a remarkable story of a self-made man, his indomitable will and enterprise to build organisations that deliver enduring value and institutions that serve society at all levels.
Vallish Herur
Executive Chairman
Vallish Herur is a visionary education leader dedicated to reimagining India's education landscape. With expertise spanning across computing, education, and policy, he contributed to the National Curriculum Framework as a Senior Consultant in its Technical Secretariat, supporting the implementation of NEP 2020. As Director of BASE Educational Services, he has led the organisation's growth and strengthened its impact on learners and educators across the country.
Dr. K. S.Nagabhushana
Director – Research
Dr. K. S. Nagabhushana is an accomplished scientist with over 27 years of experience and a proven track record in Natural Products Chemistry, Organic Synthesis, Organometallic Chemistry, Biotechnology, Nanomaterials, Food Chemistry, and Catalysis. He is recognised for advancing interdisciplinary research and building bridges between scientific disciplines to address complex challenges.
N. Vidyashankar
Head - Social Innovation & Partnership
Vidya Shankar is an industry professional with more than 30 years of experience across Manufacturing, Machine Tools, B2B/ B2C software, Medical Devices, and Healthcare IT. He has served in various capacities working for both Indian and multinational companies.
Kushala Satyanarayana
Head - Communications & Branding
Kushala has over 24 years of professional experience in mainstream media, she brings extensive expertise in communication strategy, media relations, and content development. Passionate about storytelling and impactful outreach, she plays a key role in strengthening Prayoga’s communication initiatives.
B. R. Ravi
Head - Administration and Facilities
B.R. Ravi has over 35 years of experience in Administration and Facilities, working for multinational companies like Glaxo India Ltd, General Electric, and iGATE Global Solutions Ltd. He managed operations in India, Australia, and Mexico at iGATE, overseeing infrastructure development and transportation for thousands of employees.
Dr. K. S. Nagabhushana
Director - Research
Dr. K.S. Nagabhushana is a distinguished researcher with over vast years of experience in Natural Products Chemistry, Organic Synthesis, Biotechnology, Nanomaterials, Food Chemistry, and Catalysis. He began his career as a Ph.D. candidate (CSIR fellow) at VMSRF, Mysore University. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of the Western Cape and Rhodes University in South Africa. His international experience includes senior research positions at the Max-Planck Institute for Coal Research and as Scientific In-charge at ITC-CPV, Karlsruhe/Heidelberg University. He served as an Associate Professor at the Manipal Institute of Technology and was a lead researcher at TATA Chemicals Limited’s Innovation Centre. Before joining Prayoga, he was the Chief Operating Officer at the IITB-Monash Research Academy. Dr. Nagabhushana has published over 25 international journal articles, contributed to eight book chapters, and holds 15 patents, with significant achievements in commercial product development and technology transfers.
Dr. Ajit Singh
Senior Research Scientist
Dr. Ajit specializes in river and lake hydrology, surface and groundwater resources sustainability, paleohydrology for flood risk and hazard assessment, and artificial and rainfall recharge. He earned his Ph.D. in Earth Sciences from IIT Kanpur in 2014. His research provided evidence of the legendary Saraswati River's past existence and its connection to the Harappan civilization, utilizing techniques like geophysical surveys, sediment coring, and isotopic analysis. Dr. Singh's postdoctoral work at Imperial College London examined groundwater structure and dynamics in NW India, publishing significant findings in peer-reviewed journals. His second postdoctoral stint at IIT Gandhinagar, in collaboration with the Archaeological Sciences Center, focused on the tectonic-geomorphic study of Himalayan foothill rivers, revealing their role in supporting ancient civilizations.
Dr. S. Athavan Alias Anand
Senior Research Scientist
Dr. S. Athavan specializes in synthetic organic chemistry and chemistry education research. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Annamalai University in Tamil Nadu, India, and has postdoctoral research experience from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, India. His doctoral research focused on designing and synthesizing potent drug candidates for anticancer and antituberculosis applications, where he was involved in the multistep heterocyclic synthesis of active drug-like scaffolds and the evaluation of their in-silico and in-vitro biological properties. During his postdoctoral work, Dr. Athavan concentrated on designing and synthesizing oligosaccharides of arabinan and arabinomannan glycolipids, further contributing to the field of medicinal chemistry and drug development.
Dr. Subhadip Senapati
Senior Research Scientist
Dr. Subhadip specializes in nanochemistry, green chemistry, and bioorganic chemistry to address industrial challenges. He completed his B.Sc. from Jadavpur University (2007), M.Sc. from IIT Madras (2009), and Ph.D. from Arizona State University (2015). His research began with a medicinal chemistry project at IIT Madras, where he used atomic force microscopy (AFM) for biological sample analysis. During his Ph.D. under Dr. Stuart Lindsay, he developed AFM-based biosensing techniques and worked on organic chemistry, protein-ligand interactions, and cancer cell biology. He later completed postdoctoral research under Dr. Paul S.-H. Park at Case Western Reserve University, studying rhodopsin, a protein critical for low-light vision. At Prayoga, he works on projects spanning across green chemistry, sustainability, materials science, and medicinal chemistry.
Dr. Vijaykumar Marakatti
Senior Research Scientist
Dr. Vijaykumar comes with a decade of experience in material science, petrochemicals, heterogeneous catalysis, nanoparticle synthesis, and chemical engineering. A Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow, National Postdoctoral Fellow, and UK Global Talent Visa holder, Dr. Marakatti has consistently demonstrated research excellence and leadership across prestigious global institutions such as KAUST, UCLouvain, and JNCASR. He has authored 23 publications, an international patent, and is serving as an expert evaluator for the European Commission and in an editor role for Elsevier. He is currently developing catalysts for CO₂ conversion, biomass utilization, and other industrially important reactions.
Dr. Venkata Krishna B
Senior Research Scientist
Dr. Venkata Krishna has over 13 years of teaching and research experience in microbiology and biotechnology. He earned his Ph.D. in Biotechnology from Visvesvaraya Technological University, focusing on enzyme production and biodegradation. His research spans enzymes, enzyme inhibitors, metabolites, and nanomaterials, with applications in food, health, biotechnology, and environmental sustainability. He is particularly interested in microbial enzymes for therapeutic use and the remediation of toxic environmental compounds. Dr. Krishna has extensive expertise in microbiological techniques, clean room protocols, Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs), and lab safety. He played a key role in implementing Prayoga’s Anveshana program, mentoring high school students whose research has been published in internationally peer-reviewed journals. He has authored numerous research publications and continues to lead innovative projects that advance both science and education.
Dr. Omprakash S.S.
Senior Research Scientist
Dr. Omprakash specializes in nanomaterials for thin-film coatings used in electronic devices such as thin-film transistors (TFTs), sensors, memristors, supercapacitors, and batteries, as well as non-electronic applications including anti-reflection, anti-corrosion, and hydrophobic coatings. Post his master's degree, he worked as a Junior Research Fellow at R.V. College of Engineering on amorphous silicon solar cells. He completed his Ph.D. at Mangalore University in 2020, focusing on amorphous metal oxide TFTs fabricated using custom-designed spin spray pyrolysis units. During his research tenure, he developed spin spray pyrolysis instruments and optimized metal oxide thin films for applications on glass and Teflon substrates. His work has contributed to advancements in non-volatile memory devices and energy-efficient materials.
Dr. Ramya Prabhu
Research Scientist
Dr. Ramya’s research focuses on shape- and size-controlled synthesis of MoS₂ and WO₃ nanomaterials for applications in environmental sensing and electrocatalysis. An INSPIRE Fellow by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, she also received a gold medal for securing the highest marks in M.Sc. Applied Chemistry at Mangalore University. Her research interests include nanomaterials, plasmonics, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), antimicrobials, and gas sensing. Prior to joining Prayoga, she worked as a Research Associate at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences and gained teaching experience at Vikas P.U. College and VVPU College.
Aditya Kashyap
Senior Research Associate
Aditya is working on cyclic voltametric studies of conducting materials. He holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from RV College of Engineering, where he studied the modal parameters of hexagonal sandwich panels, and an M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of South Florida. His master's research focused on the synthesis and electrochemical characterization of conducting polymer hydrogels for pH sensing applications. Before joining Prayoga, he worked as a Resident Engineer at Windsor Machines, overseeing assembly-line quality control. His research interests include conducting polymer gels, nanomaterials for energy storage, and nanocomposites.
Vagdevi Rao K. C.
Research Associate
Vagdevi specializes in phytochemistry, microbiology, and plant-based medicine. She earned her bachelor's degree in chemistry, Botany, and Zoology from Sri JCBM College, Sringeri, affiliated with Kuvempu University, and completed a diploma in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants alongside her studies. She later obtained an M.Sc. in Botany from the University of Mysore. Vagdevi qualified the K-SET in Life Sciences (2019) and GATE in Life Sciences, Ecology, and Evolution (2023). Her research interests focus on plant-based medicine and biological sciences, complemented by experience in academic writing gained through her work with a publication support company.
Padmapriya R.
Research Associate
Padmapriya did her undergraduate degree in Physics from PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, and her postgraduate degree from Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli. Her master's research focused on theoretical quantum mechanics, resulting in a dissertation on the quantum solvability of the Mathews–Lakshmanan non-linear oscillator. She later worked as a Junior Research Fellow at SRM Institute of Science and Technology, conducting research in High Energy Physics Phenomenology. Padmapriya has presented her work on the rare weak decays of Bc* and Bs* mesons at the XXIII DAE High Energy Physics Symposium at IIT Madras and received a Silver Medal at Research Day 2018 at SRM-IST. She has also published research on flavour-dependent effects in rare weak meson decays.
Padmini K. U.
Research Associate
Padmini holds a master's degree in physics from Maharani Cluster University, Bengaluru. During her undergraduate studies, she worked on a DST-SERB-ECRA-funded project involving the development of zinc-antimonide nanomaterials for thermoelectric devices, gaining experience in nanomaterial synthesis and characterization. As part of her master's research, she contributed to the synthesis and characterization of polypyrrole, focusing on the development of conductive polymers for electronic applications.
Pooja V. Domanekar
Research Associate
Pooja’s research interests lie in electromagnetic interference shielding, ferrite-based nanomaterials, and piezoelectric materials. She completed her undergraduate studies in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics at LB and SBS College, Sagara, affiliated with Kuvempu University, and earned her master's degree in physics from Kuvempu University, Shankaraghatta. During her master’s research, she focused on the synthesis and characterization of cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄) nanoparticles using combustion methods. Her work examined their structural and dielectric properties and explored their potential applications in electronic devices.
Asha C. H.
Research Associate
Asha’s research interests include organic synthesis, spectroscopy, and coordination complexes. She earned her M.Sc. in General Chemistry from Government College Kasaragod, affiliated with Kannur University, in 2022, after completing her B.Sc. in Chemistry at the same institution in 2020. As a project intern at CSIR-NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram, she worked under Dr. Joshy Joseph on the synthesis of novel nicotinonitrile–triphenylamine derivatives for organic electrochromic applications. Her academic and research background has provided her with a strong foundation in synthetic and analytical chemistry.
Jayatha B. C.
Research Associate
Jayatha’s research interests include pharmacognosy, ethnobotany, applied phycology, and education research, particularly the role of extracurricular activities in learning. She holds a master's degree in Botany and a Bachelor of Education specializing in Biological Science. Her research has focused on the pharmacognostic, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties of Aerva lanata, a medicinal plant widely used in traditional healthcare. Through comparative studies of authentic and market samples, she evaluated their authenticity, purity, and biological activity, contributing to a better understanding of the plant’s therapeutic potential.
Swetha N.
Research Associate
Swetha specializes in nanomaterials for catalysis, sustainable electronics, and water treatment. She earned her master's degree in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology from the University of Madras, where her research focused on nano-catalysis, including the synthesis of doped metal oxide nanoparticles for water-splitting reactions and mesoporous silica-based catalysts for selective hydrogenation. She completed her bachelor's degree in environmental science from JSS University and has experience synthesizing metal oxide nanoparticles using sonochemical, hydrothermal, and microwave techniques. Her research interests include bandgap engineering, crystallography, and sustainable material applications. She has also gained industrial research experience in the food manufacturing sector, working on product shelf-life enhancement and Lean Six Sigma projects
Parikshit Kumar
Application - Research Associate
Parikshit’s research interests include nanotechnology, nanomaterials for energy applications, sustainable materials development, and green chemistry. He holds a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from BPUT, Odisha, and an M.Tech in Green Energy Technology from Pondicherry University. His academic work focused on alternative energy systems, green nanotechnology, waste-to-energy processes, and advanced materials. Before joining Prayoga, he worked at NoPo Nanotechnologies India Pvt. Ltd., contributing to the production and application of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). His M.Tech research involved developing a 3D-printed mesh matrix integrated with nano-photocatalysts for water remediation, leading to a publication in an AIP journal. He has also worked on sustainable engineering solutions, including a solar-powered semi-automated beach cleaner.
Adarsh V. N.
Research Associate
Adarsh specializes in thin-film fabrication, memristors, flexible electronics, and green synthesis. He earned his bachelor's degree in Electronics, Mathematics, and Computer Science and a master's degree in electronic science from Bangalore University. His master's research, funded by the Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology (KSCST), focused on the synthesis of carbon nanotubes for supercapacitor applications using Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). He characterized the materials using SEM and XRD and evaluated their electrochemical performance through cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) studies. His project was recognized as the best project of the year in 2022. Prior to his research career, he gained hands-on experience through various Arduino-based electronics and programming projects.
Shruthi Srinath Chakravarthy
Research Associate
Shruthi specializes in biotechnology and therapeutics research. She holds a Master of Biotechnology from Monash University, Australia, and a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, and Genetics from Dayananda Sagar University, Bengaluru. Prior to joining Prayoga, she worked as a Research Assistant at Exopharm Ltd., Melbourne, where she focused on exosome isolation and downstream processing for drug delivery applications using AKTA-Pure FPLC systems, contributing to process optimization and GMP-compliant research. She also served as a Clinical Research Officer at Western Health Footscray Hospital, supporting clinical trials and patient data management. During her undergraduate studies, she conducted research on collagen peptide isolation and purification at CISAR Labs, contributing to a publication in a scientific journal.
Harshitha S.
Research Associate
Harshitha’s interests lie in organic synthesis, reaction mechanisms, and spectroscopic techniques. She earned her M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry from BMS College for Women, affiliated with Bengaluru City University, and holds a B.Sc. in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. During her studies, she interned at Stericon Pharma Pvt. Ltd., gaining exposure to Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Production Management, Sales, and Stores. Her current interests include the synthesis and characterization of organic molecules, understanding reaction mechanisms, and developing expertise in analytical instrumentation. She is also passionate about chemistry education and aims to promote experiential learning through hands-on experiments, real-world problem-solving, and active student engagement.
Rakshitha N.
Research Associate
Rakshitha did her M.Sc. in Genetics from the University of Mysore, where her academic research focused on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and the role of antioxidant genes under oxidative stress conditions. She has hands-on experience in molecular biology techniques, including nucleic acid extraction, PCR, RT-qPCR, agarose gel electrophoresis, microbial culturing, Drosophila maintenance, karyotyping, and biochemical assays. Her research interests include microbial studies, the extraction, isolation, and characterization of bioactive compounds from plant sources, chromatographic techniques, and biochemical analysis.
Shashi Kumar
Research Associate
Shashi holds a BE in Polymer Science and Technology from JSS Science and Technology University, Mysuru. Before joining Prayoga, he worked in multiple industries, where he developed rubber compounds and molded components for automotive seals and gaskets. He has also performed testing of polymers, including tensile strength, impact strength, heat distortion temperature (HDT), Vicat softening temperature (VST), flame testing, compression, and flexural properties. He is also experienced in CAPA reports, Six Sigma methodologies, and Kaizen practices. His area of interest is polymer testing and characterization.
Kishorkumar Sindogi
Manager - Instrumentation Facility
Kishorkumar is the Sophisticated Instrumentation Facility Incharge at Prayoga. He holds a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in General Chemistry and brings valuable expertise from his previous role as a Senior Project Associate at the Central X-ray Facility, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. His extensive experience in handling advanced scientific instruments plays a crucial role in supporting Prayoga's research initiatives.
Rangaswamy G. E.
Senior Research Technician
Rangaswamy holds an M.Sc. in Analytical Chemistry from Bangalore University. He brings rich industry experience from leading organizations such as TUV SUD South Asia, Syngene International, and Biocon, where he worked on analytical research and development in discovery chemistry, food testing, and production processes. His research interests include food and nutraceutical analytical R&D. At Prayoga, he supports experimental science through precision lab work and technical expertise.
Gagan B. S.
Research Technician
Gagan specializes in managing sophisticated instrumentation facilities and handling diverse research samples. He holds a master's in general chemistry and has expertise in operating advanced scientific instruments. Passionate and dedicated, he collaborates on research projects with industries and within the campus.
Anand D. V.
Manager - Operations
Anand brings over 18 years of expertise in the Automotive and Healthcare sectors with multinational corporations. His diverse career encompasses roles in Supply Chain Management (SCM), Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP), Procurement, Inventory Control, and Project and Program Management. Anand excels in process optimisation, systems integration, and mentoring teams, driving operational excellence and organisational growth. Certified as a facilitator and in process improvement methodologies, he has a proven track record of leading initiatives that enhance efficiency and outcomes.
Sai Krishna A. V. S.
Technical Research Coordinator
Sai Krishna completed his postgraduate studies in Biotechnology at M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, graduating with a university gold medal for securing the highest CGPA in his program, and has qualified the CSIR-NET in Life Sciences. Prior to joining Prayoga, he worked as an R&D Assistant and Junior Research Fellow at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR). His research experience spans across protein biochemistry, molecular biology, and bioinformatics, with interests in tumor biology, drug repurposing, cellular signalling, and the structural evolution of enzymes. His work has resulted in publications in international peer-reviewed journals and recognition through research presentation awards. At Prayoga, he applies his scientific background to support research administration and foster collaborations between academia and industry.
Narayan Barman
Executive - Research
Narayan plays a key role in supporting various research tasks and project requirements. He holds a B.Sc. in Geography and has also completed a D.El.Ed (Diploma in Elementary Education) from STTI (Sagarpara Teachers Training Institute) in West Bengal, equipping him with both analytical and pedagogical skills. Narayan is committed to maintaining high standards in his work, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in all processes.
Mallikarjuna T. S.
Assistant - Laboratory
Mallikarjuna holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) from VV Puram Science College, Bengaluru. Prior to joining Prayoga, Mallikarjuna worked at Pachajanaya Perfumery Works, where he gained valuable experience.
Manjunath M.
Assistant - Laboratory
Manjunath is responsible for documentation, sample checking, and solution preparation at Prayoga. He holds a Pre-University Course (PUC) in Commerce from APS PU College and has experience as a Physics, Chemistry, and Biology Assistant at Deeksha PU College. His attention to detail and commitment to maintaining high standards in the laboratory support Prayoga's educational initiatives. Manjunath's role is essential in fostering a hands-on learning environment for students.
Ramesha T. R
Project Coordinator - Arecanut
Ramesha brings over 15 years of experience in education. He holds an M.A. in Political Science, a Diploma in Education, and a PG Diploma in Journalism. Prior to joining Prayoga, he worked as a teacher in an alternative school in Bengaluru and as a language teacher educator and project assistant with educational NGOs. His interests lie in teacher development, innovative pedagogy, and fostering holistic learning experiences.
