Keerthi's primary interest is the study of protein assemblies and protein-protein interactions in the context of viral infection and immunity. Under the mentorship of Dr. Kay Choi in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UTMB, she is working on the biochemical and structural characterization of the pestiviral N-terminal protease and its mechanism of interaction with the host Interferon Regulatory Factors (IRF-3/7). The unique opportunity for a collaborative application of basic biochemistry and structural biology in the study of viral disease pathogenesis was what attracted her most in her current project and laboratory.

Keerthi graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Biotechnology from Anna University in India, after which she obtained her Master's in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from UTMB.