Information for Prospective PhD Students

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At the BRAIN Lab at IITM, we welcome motivated students with open minds and strong work ethics. Our team members support each other professionally and personally, creating an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute. The idea is to put a group of good kindhearted individuals together in a harassment-free environment that nurtures free thinking and hope that they will shine and become “their best versions”. Everyone is creative; all students have some form of intelligence. We believe PhD students develop into independent researchers when they take ownership of their work from day one. While high-quality feedback and guidance is always available, we encourage students to drive their own research questions and approaches, with the advisor serving as a mentor and collaborator rather than a director. This means students have near-infinite freedom.

We strongly believe that students who are responsible thrive with freedom and truly deserve that freedom.

Our lab culture encourages honest, constructive feedback between all members—including the PI. We believe that rigorous peer review within the lab leads to stronger science and better publications. Everyone’s perspective is valued, regardless of their position in the academic hierarchy. (Example: Swarnab’s unique paper in the niche journal Neuropsychologia. The presentation of results in this manuscript significantly improved after a particularly polemical lab meeting.)

Some Numbers (for reference)

Item	Metric
Publications (+Patents) in the last 5 years	26 + 2 (Mostly Q1 & Q2 journals)
Publications currently under consideration	6
Student achievements that we are proud of: We are proud of all our students and all their achievements no matter how small, but here are some metrics just so others can see them:
Students who received Best PhD thesis award	1
Students who went on International exchange	1
Students who won Prime Ministers' Research Fellowship (PMRF)	3

We prioritize publication quality over quantity, focusing on thorough and rigorous studies that advance the broad fields of Biomechanics, Rehabilitation and Movement Neuroscience.

Our track record includes publications in high-quality journals, spread over several disciplines (see publications). We believe in quietly pushing the boundaries by focusing fully on what we do well: rigorous, no-nonsense, old school, experimental neuroscience. We train ourselves in topics we are not well-versed with. We add value to ourselves in multiple dimensions in this thriving environment while making sure we remain grounded.

Current Research Projects

Our research at the BRAIN Lab explores the fascinating intersection of motor control in health, disease, and aging, while also developing innovative rehabilitation diagnostic and therapeutic devices for specific neuromotor disorders. While we encourage students to bring their own research questions that we can contribute to, we currently have exciting opportunities in:

Assistive Devices for Brachial Plexus Injuries: Is Brachial Plexus Injury the Cinderella of upper limb disorders? In this complex pathophysiology, individuals can have devastating sensory and motor deficits. Our objective is to build assistive devices to help improve the quality of life for these patients.
Rehabilitation Technology: Developing diagnostic and therapeutic devices for individuals with Parkinson's disease, specifically a closed-loop therapeutic device. These projects combine engineering innovation with clinical needs to improve patient quality of life and independence.

Our approach leverages our extensive experience in human experimentation—including precise fingertip force measurements, sophisticated kinematic analysis, and EEG recording—to understand both the mechanical and neural aspects of movement. (See facilities)

Schedule Expectations & Work-Life Balance

While we don't maintain rigid work schedules, students typically invest time in the lab during daytime hours to maximize collaborative opportunities with both the advisor and fellow lab members.
We maintain night-time lab curfew hours from 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM to promote healthy sleep habits—recognizing that rest, refreshment, and recharging are essential for creative scientific thinking and productive experiments.
Students manage their own schedules and are encouraged to maintain work-life balance, including engaging in activities outside the lab that bring them joy and perspective. Successful PhD students naturally prioritize research among their top professional commitments.

Publication Expectations (Minimum)

For healthy human work (non-clinical): 3 high-quality publications (JCR Q1/Q2) – at least one accepted, max one under preparation.
For clinical work (with patients): 2 high-quality publications (JCR Q1/Q2) – at least one accepted. Clinical work takes longer and can lead to higher-impact results.

Alumni Feedback

I always feel that Neuromechanics Lab at IIT Madras is my second home. Our lab has more than sufficient facilities and state-of-art equipment for doing research in motor control domain. This lab is one of the foundation labs in India for doing research in human motor control domain. Lab members are extremely supportive and helpful. This lab focuses on various aspects of human hand function and draws possible conclusions about human behaviour based on hypothesis testing and experimental validations. Lab members are equipped with highly interdisciplinary background which not only helps them in doing research but later on in professional world. Dr. Varadhan (PI of NML) has a goal of making their students independent thinkers. He believes in guiding a student for making them successful person in life rather than spoon feeding them. From my personal experience I can definitely say that being part of this Neuromechanics Lab at IIT Madras, I can learn anything. All good things take time, but if we are persistent that time will definitely come.

Nayan Bhatt (MS, 2017)
Currently with Analog Devices, Bengaluru

I was a Dual Degree student and was very fortunate to pursue my final year project in Neuromechanics Lab. Although I was from Aerospace Engineering, Prof Varadhan SKM helped me in a smooth transition towards Neuromechanics by organizing seminars and discussions in the lab. The main take away has been the ability to learn and grasp concepts independently. The learning procedure in this lab is through discussion and not a one way thing. This provides you an opportunity to think and question even the opinions the Prof. Lab trains students to become independent researchers and be confident about themselves. I completely enjoyed and cherish my one year memorable journey in this lab.

Niranjan Chakrabhavi, DD (2017)

The Neuromechanics lab at IIT Madras is an inimitable place, where all sort of skill sets are cherished and nurtured. Although primarily focused on pursuing state of the art research in the domain of hand and finger mechanics, the lab also actively delves into practical applications for the same. Hence the lab instills a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experimentation skills, which helps in cultivating a very multidisciplinary perspective. Under the mentorship of Dr. Varadhan, the lab has fostered a very cordial and conducive environment for professional and personal growth. Being a person who sincerely cares for the well being of his students in all walks of life, Dr. Varadhan ensures that help and support will always be provided for. The lab houses great minds and cutting edge equipments, which makes it the ideal place for an enthusiast of human motor control to thrive.

Sharat Embrandiri (Research Staff, JRF)
currently with GE healthcare, Bengaluru

My experience in this lab was wonderful and exciting. I learnt not only about the science and research work but also some important life lessons. This lab is full of enthusiastic people who are always ready to help. This is a place where you will be pushed to do best and will be provided with all the facilities needed. Help and guidance will always be available at every point.

Kushal singh (M.Tech (DD) AE/AM 2016)
currently with Venture Factory (Software Developer), Bengaluru

This is the place where I have put in practice my theoretical learnings. Apart from the technical knowledge the kind of exposure, the competitive environment to excel in our own work was outstanding. We worked as a team, learnt from the mistakes and our attitude striving to be the best was reverberating in every work we did. The best thing I've learnt here was "I can learn anything".

Sandeep (M.Tech (DD) AE/AM 2016)
currently with Photon interactive, Chennai

Neuro-mechanics lab at IIT Madras provides a unique and exclusive opportunity to study human motor control, in particular, the hand function. The lab is equipped with state of the art equipment and highly competitive pro-research group. Lab mates are critical yet helpful both in research and on personal level. Dr. Varadhan, believes in nurturing the researchers in many domains of life. He is very approachable and eager to help. The opportunity he provided, helped me develop critical thinking, develop independent projects and learn many aspects of life beyond lab. Lab meetings are very informative. It provides a platform to the group to discuss ideas and interact at a group level. Overall, my experience at the Neuro-mechanics lab has been a memorable one with lot of learning and personal growth. If a rating system is employed I would rate it a perfect 10.

Ankur Gupta (Postdoc, 2014-2015)
currently Postdoc at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

Being the first student of the Neuromechanics Lab at IIT Madras was an invaluable experience that shaped my research journey. From the ground up, I was involved in setting up the lab, gaining hands-on experience in designing experiments, troubleshooting equipment, and establishing research protocols. This experience gave me a strong foundation for conducting high-quality, innovative, ethical, and scientific research. I thank my research advisor, Dr SKM Varadhan sir for providing such a platform for me. Throughout my time in the lab, I was trained in designing and executing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and ensuring that our work met the highest scientific standards. I had the opportunity to work on innovative projects, pushing the boundaries of neuroscience and biomechanics (neuromechanics) research while collaborating with experts in the field. The lab fostered a culture of intellectual curiosity, precision, and integrity, allowing me to develop skills essential for independent research and scientific publication.

Dhanush (PhD, 2019)
Currently at VIT, Chennai

While my specialization was in Neuromechanics, my time in the lab taught me far more than just technical skills. It shaped me as a researcher and as a person. The lab environment instilled in me perseverance, self-confidence, and a never-give-up attitude. I learned to embrace mistakes as stepping stones to success and to keep refining my work until I achieved my goals. I was fortunate to have a mentor who not only provided guidance but also gave me the freedom to explore my ideas and think critically. This autonomy pushed me to take ownership of my work, sharpen my problem-solving skills, and develop resilience in the face of challenges. The collaborative environment, access to cutting-edge research, and the opportunity to work alongside talented peers made my PhD journey truly enriching.

Banuvathy (PhD, 2022)

Pursuing my PhD at the Neuromechanics Lab, IIT Madras, in collaboration with CMC Vellore, has been a valuable experience both academically and personally. This interdisciplinary environment allowed me to combine clinical insights with technological advancements in rehabilitation engineering and motor control. Under the mentorship of Dr. S.K.M. Varadhan, I had the opportunity to explore complex research questions in neuroscience and rehabilitation engineering. The lab fostered a culture of collaboration and open discussions, leading to meaningful research outcomes. Access to advanced equipment and computational tools here is a major strength for researchers. Beyond research, this journey has contributed to my personal and professional growth. The challenges I faced helped build resilience, independence, and adaptability. The mentorship from faculty, support from lab members, and exposure to diverse projects provided a well-rounded learning experience.

Ann David (PhD, 2022)
Currently with Thryv Rehab Solutions

My time at the Neuromechanics lab during my Ph.D. was truly unforgettable. What I loved most was the stress-free and supportive environment. I never felt pressured about work or deadlines and had the freedom to explore my interests. In addition to research, we engaged in meaningful discussions about publication quality, ethics, personal finance, and teamwork, which greatly enriched my experience. The lab felt like a second home, especially during the challenging lockdown period. I will never forget the regular tea breaks we had with the professor. The lab is well-equipped with state-of-the-art technology for human movement tracking and analysis. I learned so much technically, exploring fascinating areas such as conducting human experimental trials, machine learning, embedded systems, biomechanics, neuroscience, and human motion tracking. I was also given the opportunity to manage and create content on the NPTEL platform, which significantly influenced my teaching and learning career.

Prajwal Shenoy (PhD, 2024)
Currently at MIT, Manipal

My PhD journey at the Neuromechanics Lab, IIT Madras, was truly transformative. When I joined, I expressed interest in pursuing an exchange opportunity or a joint PhD program. Prof. Varadhan not only listened but actively worked to find the right collaboration. This led to my PhD being converted into an IITM-NTU Joint PhD, allowing me to work in both Singapore and India—an experience that shaped me academically and personally. Both Prof. Varadhan and Prof. Domenico were exceptional mentors—supportive, encouraging, and always expecting the best from me. Their high expectations pushed me to improve, helping me grow as both a researcher and an independent thinker. Rather than handing me solutions, they guided me toward problem-solving, fostering the mindset a PhD is meant to develop. Prof. Varadhan has always been approachable and willing to help whenever I encountered challenges, despite his busy schedule. His constructive feedback and personalized mentorship approach ensured students received the guidance best suited to them. He also fostered a collaborative lab environment where students openly discussed and supported each other's research. My PhD was more than just research—it was a journey of growth. I'm deeply grateful for the mentorship and opportunities I received and highly recommend this lab to any aspiring researcher.

Rakhi Agarwal (PhD, 2024)

My PhD journey at the Neuromechanics Lab (NML) was truly memorable. One of the most impressive aspects of the lab was its strong work ethic and structured approach to scientific research. The lab nurtured an environment of intellectual freedom, allowing me to choose my own research questions. Our professor never spoon-fed us but was always there in the background, guiding and supporting us. He allowed us to make mistakes and learn from them, stepping in only when necessary to prevent major errors. As an experimentalist lab, we worked extensively with a diverse population, from young individuals to older adults, and sometimes even patients. This required rigorous training in proper experimental protocols, ethical considerations, and handling state-of-the-art equipment. Throughout my PhD, I significantly improved my skills in manuscript writing, scientific communication, and data presentation. Our professor not only guided us but also coached us in presenting our results in a well-structured manner, ensuring our manuscripts met high-quality standards.

B. Eswari (PhD, 2025)
Currently Post-Doc at IIT Madras