PhD candidate at Stockholm University, Sweden
Samyuktha Rajan is a dedicated researcher in evolutionary biology and behavioral ecology, with a focus on avian bioacoustics. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at the Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, where she studies the causes and consequences of acoustic divergence in the pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca). Her research explores how birds adapt their vocal signals to different environments and the evolutionary implications of these changes. With a strong foundation in interdisciplinary research, she has collaborated with leading scientists across Europe, contributing to advancements in animal communication, speciation, and bioacoustics. Her work has been published in high-impact journals such as Current Biology, Behavioral Ecology, and Animal Behaviour. She has also presented her findings at international conferences, demonstrating her commitment to scientific progress and collaboration.
Professional Profile
Google Scholar
Education
Samyuktha Rajan holds a Master’s degree from the Erasmus Mundus Master Programme in Evolutionary Biology (MEME), jointly awarded by the University of Groningen, The Netherlands, and Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Germany. She completed two research theses during her master’s—one on maternal thyroid hormones and embryonic development in the thorn-tailed rayadito (Aphrastura spinicauda) and another on the multiple signaling functions of song in whinchats (Saxicola rubetra). Before this, she earned her B.Sc. in Life Sciences and Biochemistry from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, where she graduated with a CGPA of 3.85/4.0. Her academic excellence was recognized through the prestigious Inspire Scholarship from the Government of India, supporting her undergraduate studies.
Professional Experience
As a Ph.D. researcher at Stockholm University, Samyuktha Rajan conducts fieldwork, bioacoustic analyses, and behavioral experiments to understand avian vocal communication and its evolutionary drivers. She has collaborated on multiple international research projects involving population genomics, climate change impacts on species, and song learning in birds. Her experience includes fieldwork across Europe and South America, where she has studied species-specific song responses and adaptation in different ecological contexts. She has also contributed as a co-author on studies examining speciation in New Guinean birds and the impact of increasing temperatures on Arctic bumblebees. In addition to research, she actively engages in teaching and mentoring students in evolutionary biology and bioacoustics.
Research Interests
Samyuktha’s research interests lie at the intersection of evolutionary biology, behavioral ecology, and bioacoustics. She is particularly fascinated by how animals use acoustic signals for communication and how these signals evolve due to environmental and social pressures. Her work investigates the role of vocal learning, geographic variation, and species interactions in shaping bird song. She is also interested in the genetic and physiological mechanisms underlying song production and perception, as well as the implications of climate change on avian communication. By integrating field experiments, acoustic analyses, and comparative approaches, she aims to uncover broader patterns of adaptation and speciation in birds.
Awards and Honors
Samyuktha Rajan has received numerous competitive grants and scholarships, reflecting the impact and recognition of her research. She was awarded travel grants from ISBE (2500 USD) and CF Liljevalch stipendiefond (12,000 SEK) to present her research at international conferences. She also secured funding from Alice och Lars Siléns fond and Lillie och Ernst Åqvists stiftelse for fieldwork and equipment. Her academic achievements were recognized early in her career through the Inspire Scholarship from the Government of India. Additionally, she has received funding from prestigious institutions such as Erasmus+, the Groningen University Fund, and the Christine Buisman fund for female biologists. These accolades highlight her ability to conduct high-quality research and secure competitive funding.
Conclusion
Samyuktha Rajan is a highly promising researcher with a strong academic track record, impactful publications, and successful grant applications. Her work significantly advances evolutionary biology and bioacoustics. While she could enhance her leadership profile and science communication efforts, she is an excellent candidate for the Best Researcher Award based on her contributions, research potential, and international recognition.
Publications Top Noted
-
Chitnis, S. S., Rajan, S., & Krishnan, A. (2020)
- Sympatric wren-warblers partition acoustic signal space and song perch height.
- Journal: Behavioral Ecology, 31(2), 559-567
- Citations: 31
-
Wheatcroft, D., Bliard, L., El Harouchi, M., López-Idiáquez, D., Kärkkäinen, T., Kraft, F. L. H., Muriel, J., Rajan, S., Tuvillo, T., Burgess, M. D., Cantarero, A., Laaksonen, T., Martínez-Padilla, J., Visser, M. E., & Qvarnström, A. (2022)
- Species-specific song responses emerge as a by-product of tuning to the local dialect.
- Journal: Current Biology, 32(23), 5153-5158.e5
- Citations: 9
-
Rajan, S., Lamers, K. P., Both, C., & Wheatcroft, D. (2024)
- Translocated wild birds are predisposed to learn songs of their ancestral population.
- Journal: Current Biology, 34(11), 2535-2540.e4
- Citations: 2
-
Müller, I., Thörn, F., Rajan, S., Olsen, R. A., Ericson, P., Peona, V., & Smith, B. (2025)
- Ephemeral speciation in a New Guinean honeyeater complex (Aves: Melidectes).
- Journal: (In Press)
- Citations: Not available
-
Gallego-Abenza, M., Kraft, F. L. H., Ma, L., Rajan, S., & Wheatcroft, D. (2025)
- Responses in adult pied flycatcher males depend on playback song similarity to local population.
- Journal: Behavioral Ecology, 36(1), arae090
- Citations: Not available
-
Müller, I. A., Thörn, F., Rajan, S., Ericson, P. G. P., Dumbacher, J. P., Maiah, G., & Irestedt, M. (2024)
- Species-specific dynamics may cause deviations from general biogeographical predictions–evidence from a population genomics study of a New Guinean endemic passerine bird family.
- Journal: Plos One, 19(5), e0293715
- Citations: Not available