About Me

Hi! I am Ankush (pronounced as Un-koo-sh), and as of 2026, a 4th year Physics PhD Candidate. I am part of The Gopinathan Group in the Department of Physics at the University of California, Merced. My interests lie at the theoretical and compuatational crossroads of Physics and Biology. Currently, I work on understanding (via simulations and theory) how cytotoxic T cells orchestrate intracellular transport and generate forces to move its organelles (centrosome and lytic granules) which ultimately lead to the killing of pathogenic target cells.

Prior to this, I was part of the Biophysics Group at the ICTS, Bengaluru where I worked on building a minimal model of actomyosin cytoskeleton by looking at it as an active nematic system.

I find joy in running, playing Ultimate Frisbee, reading books, watching movies/shows and sketching.

I share some of my sketches and doodles at Project Skedoodle.