The Hyderabad Literary Festival (HLF) at Hyderabad’s Sattva Knowledge City featured LVPEI scientists and clinicians in its three-day program. HLF is Hyderabad’s premier cultural event with a multi-genre multidiscipline format that ran from 24-26 January 2025. HLF has a dedicated science stream, 'Science and the City,' with LVPEI participating in the program and the STEM stall space.
The second day of the program (25th Jan) opened with a session on gene therapies, 'The Promise of Gene Therapy to Treat Diseases,' featuring Dr. Indumathi Mariappan, Research Scientist, Center for Ocular Regeneration, LVPEI. Along with Dr Arkasubhra Ghosh, head of the GROW labs at Narayana Nethralaya, Bengaluru, Dr Mariappan showcased the cutting-edge of CRISPR technologies for gene therapies, and discussed the promise of treatment to rare genetic diseases that they are exploring.
On day 3, an interactive session, 'Perceiving the World – Scientists and Artists', explored the fascinating interplay between art, vision and perception. Dr. Shrikanth Bharadwaj, Vision Scientist and Network Associate Director - Brien Holden Institute of Optometry and Vision Sciences, LVPEI, was in conversation with Dr Priyanka Srivastava, Head of the Cognition and Perception Lab, IIIT Hyderabad and two artists, Priyanka Aelay and Sameera Maruvada. Sameera and Priyanka presented their art work and their artistic process, while the scientists discussed how the visual and cognitive systems perceived their art and higher order systems in the brain made meaning. Both sessions saw full crowds with vibrant question and answer sessions that lasted well after the sessions ended.
At our STEM stall, 'The Multiverse of the Eye,' curious minds, both adult and child, learnt of the intricacies of vision science through engaging 3D models and interactive exhibits, presented by researchers, faculty, and fellows from LVPEI.
Additionally, as part of Climate Conversations, TejahBalantrapu, Associate Director of Science, Health Data, and Storytelling, moderated an engaging session, 'Extraordinary Stories of the Natural World,' featuring Romulus Whitaker and Janaki Lenin and their new book, 'Snakes, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll.'
The science stream at HLF has been curated and managed by Somdatta Karak, Head of Science Communication and Public Outreach at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, and Tejah Balantrapu of LVPEI.
