The people behind Basil
The team behind Basil Health
Neuroscientists, engineers, clinicians, and innovators united by a single mission — redefining cognitive health. Meet the people building Basil Health.
Krishna Ika
President and CEO
Krishna Ika has founded and managed a wide range of companies; at heart, he is a serial entrepreneur and an innovator. Mr. Ika serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Brainwave Science. From the very beginning of his career spanning over two decades, Krishna has served as a CEO, Founder and President of several successful companies in numerous verticals relating to healthcare, information technology, security as well as software consulting. Krishna has also served as an Industry Advisory Board Vice Chair for National Institute of Health's The BRAIN Initiative, aimed at revolutionizing the understanding of the human brain through advancing innovative Neurotechnologies.
He is also the Founder and President of Government Works, an information technology company specializing in the federal space with healthcare as its major concentration. Through the years, Government Works has provided products and services to numerous U.S. departments, including Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defence, Department of Justice, Department of Health and Human Services, and others. In late 2019, Government Works' healthcare asset was acquired by one of the largest health insurance groups – Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Prior to Government Works, Krishna was the cofounder of ikaSystems, a leader in enterprise managed care, which raised over $140m from Providence Equity, and was sold to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. He also cofounded Envitec Corp, which was named the 34th fastest-growing commercial consulting corporation in the New England area. Most recently, Krishna cofounded RxAdvance and NirvanaHealth, an innovative PBM and full-fledged healthcare automation company. RxAdvance partnered with and is funded by large groups like Centene and Walgreens.
Dr. Niels Birbaumer
Chief Scientist
Niels Birbaumer, Ph.D. is a Professor Emeritus of Behavioral Neurobiology at the University of Tubingen, Germany and a Guest Professor of Neuroengineering at The University of Padova, Italy. He is one of the highest decorated Neuroscientists in Germany and a pioneer of research on the neurobehavioral treatment of criminal psychopathy, epilepsy, and motor paralysis.
He and his team have developed brain computer interfaces (BCI) that allow direct transfer of brain activity information to computers. This neurolink technology supports computer aided self-regulation of brain systems including brain communication in paralysis, movement and behavior change. His research in the sphere of criminal justice has helped identify the regions of the brain responsible for psychopathic criminal behavior and tendencies. He has also developed and tested behavioral neurofeedback training for criminal psychopaths. He and his team have shown that concealed information can be uncovered by application of transcranial non-invasive currents to the brain.
Prof. Birbaumer has published more than 700 scientific papers in prestigious peer-reviewed journals such as Nature and Science. He is the author of more than 20 books, chief among them being the bestselling book 'Your Brain Knows More Than You Think', which is translated into many languages.
Professor Birbaumer received his Ph.D. in Experimental and Clinical Psychology at the University of Vienna 1969; completed his clinical education at the Middlesex Hospital, London, and the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry in Munich; and became Full Professor of Physiological and Clinical Psychology at the Univ. of Tubingen in 1975. Prof. Birbaumer has received four prestigious honorary doctorates from the Universities of Jena (Germany); Complutense University, Madrid; University of Vienna, Austria; and University of Salzburg, Austria.
Dr. Laxmidhar Behera
Chief Architect
Laxmidhar Behera, Ph.D. is the Director of IIT Mandi, as well as a teacher, researcher, author and industrial collaborator working for over 25 years in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Machine Learning.
Professor Behera has more than 280 publications, journals and conference proceedings, including many peer-reviewed articles receiving best paper awards. His co-authored book, 'Intelligent Systems and Control', an Oxford University Press publication, is now in its 5th reprint and is a prescribed graduate level textbook in many universities across the world.
His research work lies in the convergence of machine learning, control theory, robotic vision and heterogeneous robotic platforms. His other research interests include intelligent control, semantic signal/music processing, neural networks, Brain Computer Interface (BCI), control of cyber-physical systems, and cognitive modeling. Professor Behera is the recipient of many large exclusive grants to support his ground-breaking research.
Prof. Behera has initiated academic-industrial collaborations with TCS, India; Renault Nissan; BEL, Bangalore, India; and ADNOC, Abu Dhabi. He has established international research collaborations with ETH Zurich; University of Texas, San Antonio; University of Edinburgh, UK; NAIST, Japan; and Deakin University, Australia. He is a Fellow of INAE and Senior Member of IEEE.
Santosh Kottamasu
Chief Technology Officer
Santosh Kottamasu, Chief Technology Officer, oversees all technology operations, innovation, and strategic digital initiatives. Mr. Kottamasu is a seasoned technology executive and business-oriented digital leader with over 25 years of global experience in delivering cutting-edge solutions for Fortune 500 clients across diverse industry verticals. Passionate about leveraging technology to drive results, organizational growth, and profitability, Mr. Kottamasu combines deep technical expertise with a strong focus on continuous learning and team empowerment.
Mr. Kottamasu spearheaded the design and deployment of scalable architectures across various cloud platforms along with integrating modern middleware technologies to streamline enterprise-wide digital transformations, high-performance customer experience platforms and mission-critical applications, using cutting-edge DevOps practices to ensure rapid deployment and maintain high availability.
With a track record of managing multi-million-dollar portfolios, Mr. Kottamasu drove consistent 15–20% YoY growth by implementing innovative solutions tailored to meet client demands. His ability to align technical roadmaps with business objectives ensured scalability, cost efficiency, and long-term success for projects in retail, entertainment, and government sectors.
Mr. Kottamasu holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons.) from the prestigious Birla Institute of Technology & Science, BITS Pilani and remains committed to driving innovation and excellence in technology leadership.
Vinay Gupta
Sr. EEG, AI & ML SME
Vinay Gupta is a driven researcher and Subject Matter Expert (SME) specializing in the cutting-edge field of Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) and Electroencephalography (EEG) applications. With a strong foundation in mathematics and electrical engineering, he is currently pursuing his doctoral studies at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, where he also completed his BS-MS Dual Degree in the Mathematics and Scientific Computing Department.
Vinay currently holds the position of Sr. EEG, AI & ML SME at Basil Health, where he applies his expertise to develop innovative solutions in the field of neuroscience and BCI. His current project focuses on developing advanced brain signature-based authentication systems. This innovative technology utilizes machine learning algorithms and EEG processing techniques to identify and authenticate individuals based on their unique brain activity patterns.
By harnessing the power of machine learning, the system can provide a highly secure and reliable method for authentication, with potential applications in diverse fields such as security systems, access control, and user authentication for sensitive data and devices.
Vinay's strong academic background, combined with his dedication to research and innovation, positions him as a prominent researcher and SME in the field of BCI and EEG applications. His work has the potential to significantly impact various domains, including security, healthcare, and human-computer interaction.
Akshay Gupta
Head of Token & Strategy
Akshay Gupta is a Web3 growth, strategy, and partnerships professional with over 6 years of experience across blockchain, crypto, DeFi, and digital asset ecosystems. He has worked with organizations such as KryptonPad, IBC Group UAE, RS Growth, LVT Capital, and multiple early-stage Web3 startups, helping them navigate token launches, exchange listings, fundraising, ecosystem development, and global market expansion.
Throughout his career, he has collaborated with founders, exchanges, venture funds, and ecosystem partners to drive user adoption, strategic partnerships, and sustainable growth. With expertise spanning token economics, go-to-market strategy, community growth, and business development, Akshay brings a practical, execution-focused approach to building and scaling innovative blockchain ventures.
Dr. Jyotiranjan Beuria
Research Consultant
Dr. Jyotiranjan Beuria is a theoretical physicist and neuroscientist by training, with a strong interdisciplinary background bridging advanced mathematics, neuroimaging, and traditional knowledge systems. He holds an Integrated Master's degree in Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, where he was awarded the prestigious Institute Silver Medal, and a Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics from the Harish-Chandra Research Institute, one of India's premier centers for mathematics and mathematical physics.
Following his doctorate, Dr. Beuria pursued postdoctoral research at the Indian Knowledge System and Mental Health Application Centre, IIT Mandi, where his growing interest in mental health and wellbeing within the framework of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) led him to explore the deeper study of mental states, meditation, and mind wandering using advanced neuroimaging techniques.
At Basil Health, Dr. Beuria serves as an EEG and Cognitive Neuroscience SME, where his work focuses on advancing the scientific understanding of neural states associated with meditation depth, attention, and consciousness, and translating these insights into practical applications for mental health and cognitive wellbeing.
His academic achievements include the Infosys Scholarship during his PhD, and the Governor's Award for securing the highest score at school. He also serves as the Principal Investigator at the Institute for Science and Spirituality, Delhi, an Indian Knowledge System Research Centre under the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
Dr. Mukesh Kumar
Director — Quality Assurance
Dr. Mukesh Kumar is a results-driven leader with over 13 years of cross-domain experience spanning academia, research, and industry. As Director of Quality Assurance at Basil Health, he leads the organization's Quality and Research functions, ensuring that every product, process, and protocol upholds the highest standards of scientific rigor, operational reliability, and regulatory compliance.
With a Ph.D. in Biomedical Signal Processing from Dr. B. R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, Dr. Kumar has cultivated specialized expertise in heart–brain interaction studies, biomedical signal analysis, and neurocognitive system design. His collaborative research with premier institutions such as AIIMS New Delhi, IIT Mandi, and Lovely Professional University bridges neuroscience, behavioural science, and technology to drive innovation in cognitive assessment and applied neurotechnology.
Dr. Kumar has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications and book chapters with Elsevier and Springer and has presented his work at leading international conferences in biomedical signal processing and human performance research.
At Basil Health, he spearheads the development and implementation of enterprise-wide quality systems — integrating structured processes, transparent communication, and continuous improvement across research, development, production, and field operations. Through his integrated approach to innovation and operational excellence, Dr. Kumar continues to advance Basil Health's mission of delivering reliable, high-impact neurocognitive technologies worldwide.
Akshitha Reddy
CEO's Office – Strategy & Partnerships Lead
Akshitha Reddy leads strategic initiatives within the CEO's Office at Basil Health, driving organizational growth, global collaborations, and enterprise-wide alignment. She oversees Outreach & Partnerships, Human Resources, and Operations, ensuring cross-functional teams work seamlessly to achieve business objectives.
She builds and nurtures high-impact partnerships, aligning internal capabilities with client needs and market opportunities, while coordinating efforts across research, operations, and strategy to deliver measurable results. Her role spans identifying high-impact partnership opportunities, managing proof-of-concept initiatives, aligning technological solutions with client objectives, and enhancing operational efficiency across the organization.
Prior to Basil Health, she worked with SANDA, TCS, and Nykaa, shaping go-to-market strategies, scaling operations, and driving digital transformation across domestic and international markets. At SANDA, a Florida-based company, she partnered with the CEO to launch international brands in India, reinforcing her global expertise.
Akshitha holds an MBA from SDA Bocconi School of Management, Milan and a B.Tech in Computer Science Engineering. Her cross-sector, international experience enables her to drive Basil Health's global expansion, strengthen its reputation, and deliver high-impact results.
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