I am an indologist specialized in the history and literature of classical Indian medicine (Ayurveda) and iatrochemistry (rasaśāstra), and South Asian history.
In 2015 I was awarded an ERC Starting Grant for a project entitled "Medicine, Immortality, Moksha: Entangled Histories of Yoga, Ayurveda and Alchemy in South Asia.
The project examines the histories of yoga, ayurveda and rasaśāstra (Indian alchemy and iatrochemistry) from the tenth century to the present, focussing on the disciplines' health, rejuvenation and longevity practices. The goals of the project are to reveal the entanglements of these historical traditions, and to trace the trajectories of their evolution as components of today's global healthcare and personal development industries.
The project will be carried out by a team of three postdoctoral researchers at the department for South Asian, Tibetan and Buddhist Studies at Vienna University, Austria and at Inform, Inform, London, U.K..
Prerequisite: *3 in HIST at the 300-level or consent of Department.
Fall Term 2020An introduction to the major religious traditions originating in South and East Asia, including, but not limited to, Buddhism, Hinduism, Daoism, Confucianism, and Shinto. Note: not open to students with credit in RELIG 101.
Winter Term 2021A study of the major traditions of classical Hinduism, and of the religious thinking and experience formed through these traditions.
Winter Term 2021Fundamentals of the Sanskrit language for reading and translation purposes. Designed for students with no previous knowledge of Sanskrit. Note: Not open to students with credit in RELIG 239.
Fall Term 2020