Dr. D. Balasubramanian, popularly known as Prof Balu is a chemical biologist passionate about cellular and molecular approaches to understand and treat diseases of the eye. He is currently a Director of Research at the Prof. Brien Holden Eye Research Centre of LVPEI, Hyderabad. An accomplished scientist who has numerous awards and accolades to his credit, including a Padma Shri and National Order of Merit (France); he is also involved in science communication and regularly writes columns for The Hindu. He brings along his expertise and enthusiasm for a panel discussion on 'Ten Years down the Line'.

Dr. Mukund Thattai, an accidental physicist turned biologist, he works on understanding cellular complexity from genomics to mechanism and function of eukaryotic membrane traffic by a culmination of experimental and computational methods in NCBS, Bengaluru. He is also a science outreach and science-art enthusiast, and science twitter influencer. He brings in a modern perspective on various interdisciplinary avenues in life sciences, to the panel discussion on 'Ten Years down the Line'.

Dr. J. Gowrishankar, a medical microbiologist, popular in the field of E. coli genetics and physiology. He started by obtaining a medical degree and eventually shifted base to basic research. He is the recipient of various awards and honours including a Padma Shri and S S Bhatnagar prize. He brings along his expertise and enthusiasm for a panel discussion on 'Ten Years down the Line'.

Dr. Suman Sahai, a scientist, activist and founder of the NGO, Gene Campaign. She is interested in food and livelihood security, environment, education and governance. She has received many awards for her work including a Padma Shri and Order of the Golden Ark (Dutch). She brings in a social perspective to life sciences and its impact for a panel discussion on 'Ten Years down the Line'.

Dr. Shambhavi Naik, founder of CloudKrate and research fellow at the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru. Having obtained a PhD in cancer biology, followed by a postdoc, she went on to acquire a postgraduate degree in Public Policy. Her research focuses on India's policies in healthcare and higher education. In 2016, she founded CloudKrate, a start-up involved in supply management of products for life science research and set-ups. It was included in the top 15 ideas at Goldman Sachs-IIMB Woman Startup Programme in March 2017. She brings her ideas about science policy and entrepreneurship to the panel.

Dr. Smita Jain, a cancer biologist by training, scientific manager, research analyst and the executive director of IndiaBioscience. She was instrumental in setting up of C-CAMP, Bengaluru. She is currently working towards the goals of IndiaBioscience, which include better public engagement with science and engaging with academia, policy makers, industry and educators to create a productive scientific ecosystem. She brings in her ideas on science management and communication in 'Life beyond Ph.D'.

Dr. Ramaswamy S., biophysicist, co-founder and the first CEO of C-CAMP, and the founding dean of InStem, Bengaluru. His lab works on understanding how protein structure can affect or influence its biological function. He is very popular for his work on cockroach milk, which was a result of encouraging his students to do the experiments that are challenging and fun. He brings in the angle of academia and research to 'Life beyond Ph.D'.

Dr. Satya Prakash Dash, Director of the Global Innovations Impact lab, PATH, which aims at creating an ecosystem conducive for medical technology innovation. He was the founding Head Strategy of BIRAC and contributed to the establishment of various seed funding strategies. He was also involved in the formulation of the Atal Innovation Mission. He has authored a strategic blueprint of the biotech sector in India titled 'Indian Biotechnology: The Roadmap to Next Decade & Beyond'. He brings in his experience on science policy, strategy and entrepreneurship to the panel.