Krishna N. Balasubramaniam

Dr. Krishna N. Balasubramaniam is a Senior Lecturer in Conservation & Animal Behaviour at the School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, UK. He joined ARU in January 2022 after working as a research scientist at the University of California at Davis from 2014 to 2021. His research focuses on the intersection of behavioral ecology, infectious disease, and human-wildlife interactions.

Education

• PhD in Evolution, Ecology & Behavior, University at Buffalo, the State University of New York (2009-2014)
• MSc in Evolution, Ecology & Behavior, University at Buffalo, the State University of New York (2007-2009)
• Bachelor of Technology (B-Tech) in Biotechnology, Anna University, India (2003-2007)

Research Interests

Dr. Balasubramaniam is a behavioral and infectious disease ecologist interested in the ecology and evolution of animal social behavior, human-wildlife interactions, and their effects on the transmission of zoonotic microbes. His work spans primatology, conservation behavior, and infectious disease ecology within coupled natural and human systems. He applies social network analysis to understand primate social structures and disease transmission dynamics, with a focus on macaques at human-wildlife interfaces. His broader research impacts involve understanding the origins of human sociality and moving human-wildlife interfaces from conflict towards coexistence.

Research Trends

Dr. Balasubramaniam's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on the intersection of primate social behavior and infectious disease ecology, particularly examining how anthropogenic factors influence social structures and disease transmission in macaques. His work increasingly incorporates network analysis approaches to understand complex social dynamics. Much of his research addresses human-wildlife interfaces, with a particular emphasis on macaque species across different geographical regions including India, Thailand, and Malaysia. His studies often examine tuberculosis transmission, gut microbiome ecology, and the impacts of urbanization on primate behavior.

Scientific Awards

• College of Arts and Sciences Dissertation Fellowship, $6000, University at Buffalo SUNY (2013-2014)
• Michael Matsumunyane Travel Scholarship Award, $500, Department of Anthropology, University at Buffalo SUNY (2012-2013)

Advising and Grants

Dr. Balasubramaniam actively supervises research students in behavioral ecology, primatology, and conservation. His grant portfolio includes significant funding from the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation. Notable grants include:

• National Institute of Health Award R01 HD104529-01 (2021) as Co-Investigator
• National Science Foundation Award 1518555 (2015-2020) as Co-Principle Investigator
• National Science Foundation Award 1231145 (2012-2014) as Co-Investigator

Research Groups

Dr. Balasubramaniam is a member of the Behavioural Ecology Research Group at Anglia Ruskin University. He is also involved with MacaqueNet, a large-scale collaborative network for comparative behavioral research on macaques. His work often involves interdisciplinary collaborations between primatologists, ecologists, epidemiologists, and social scientists to address complex questions at human-wildlife interfaces.