Computational Systems Biology Lab

Karthik Raman

Professor, Department of Data Science and AI, Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI

651, New Academic Complex II
Department of Data Science and AI
Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Chennai – 600 036

kraman@iitm·ac·in

Short Bio

Karthik Raman is a Professor at the Department of Data Science and AI at the Wadhwani School of Data Science & AI (WSAI), IIT Madras. Karthik’s research group employs a three-pronged strategy, combining networks, models and AI, to understand, predict and manipulate complex biological networks. Karthik’s group has developed multiple scalable algorithms and computational frameworks, applicable across synthetic and systems biology. Key focus areas in his research encompass microbiome systems biology, in silico metabolic engineering, biological network design, and biological big data analysis. Karthik also co-ordinates the Centre for Integrative Biology and Systems mEdicine (IBSE) at IIT Madras, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations. Karthik’s group has extensive collaborations with industry partners, exploring how data science and AI can deliver impactful insights for pharma, healthcare, and life sciences.

Alongside his research, Karthik is deeply invested in teaching and mentoring. At IIT Madras, he teaches first-year undergraduate courses in programming, data structures, and algorithms, as well as advanced courses in computational and systems biology. He has also authored a textbook on Computational Systems Biology.

Beyond his core research and teaching, Karthik is actively engaged with the emerging landscape of AI literacy and education. He has contributed to national AI curriculum development, including initiatives like AI Samarth, which aims to empower students across India to engage with AI meaningfully, safely and responsibly. He is also an advisor at the Office of Global Engagement, IIT Madras, where his team has enabled funding and smooth execution of several major international conferences at IIT Madras.

Research

Read more about the research themes in our lab here and check out our publications as well.

Teaching

Courses I teach are described here.

Miscellaneous

Personal
    Read about my other interests and some personal stuff

What I Use
    Some of the tools I use to get my work done

Links
    Links I use regularly

People
    Friends, colleagues, random interesting people

Quotes
    A collection of interesting quotes, mostly related to biology/systems biology/modelling