We speak to the overall winner of the 2025 Biology Letters Early Career Researcher Competition, Gayathri Kondakath, for the research article Caterpillars suppress nocifensive behaviours during the quiescent ‘sphinx’ state
Tell us about yourself and your research article (please include your institutions and faculty positions/roles)
This research was conducted as part of my PhD dissertation at Tufts University in Dr Barry Trimmer’s lab. During pilot experiments aimed at characterizing nocifensive behaviors in tobacco hornworm caterpillars, we serendipitously observed a previously undescribed behavioral state, which we later named the “sphinx” state. In this state, caterpillars adopt a characteristic posture with the head and thorax curled downward and exhibit a marked lack of responsiveness to stimuli that would normally elicit robust behavioral responses in freely crawling larvae.
Initially, this unresponsiveness was unexpected and challenging to interpret. However, after a review of the literature revealed no detailed descriptions of such a state, we decided to systematically characterize it. This led to a series of experiments that yielded consistently intriguing and informative results, forming the basis of the research article.
Did you expect to be a finalist in our competition? And do you recommend that other early career researchers enter this year’s competition?
I certainly did not expect to be a finalist, but I did hope our paper might be recognized through the competition. I highly recommend that other early career researchers apply, as it boosts confidence and provides valuable visibility for your work.
What’s next for you and your work?
I completed my PhD in May 2025 and am currently a Senior Research Technician in Dr Michael Levin’s lab at Tufts University. In the future, I hope to continue working on various aspects of animal physiology.
And finally, do you have any advice for upcoming generations of scientists in your field?
Do not be afraid to pursue irregularities or anomalies in your system, they can often lead to the most rewarding discoveries! Reading broadly early in your career can also be invaluable: it provides a mental break from focused research, sparks new idea, strengthens writing skills, and, most importantly, helps sustain curiosity and appreciation for science.
The 2026 competition is now open and will run until Tuesday 31 March. Please see our terms and conditions before entering or contact the editorial office with your questions.
Photo credit: Gayathri Kondakath
