Arya Murthy

My name is Arya, and I am a PhD candidate in the Integrated Biology track. I grew up in Bangalore, India, and completed my Bachelor’s Degree at Grinnell College.

My research interests are in the genetic regulation of transcription, and the molecular underpinnings of ecological diversity. I am fascinated by the the intricate mechanisms that living organisms use to thrive in diverse environments, and uncovering clues as to their evolution. Yeasts are an illustrative model with which to study these questions. My current project focuses on yeast oxidative stress responses, particularly the Yap1 transcriptional network. I hope to clarify how oxidative stress resistance influences the ability of certain yeast species to cause human disease, and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the evolution of this network.

My personal interests outside research include hiking, reading, gardening, running and trying my hand at cooking dishes from around the world.