Magnetic anisotropy and exotic transport anomalies in centrosymmetric α-ThSi₂ type Gd₂AlSi₃

R₂XSi₃ (R= Rare earth, X= Pd, Rh, Ag) magnets are an interesting class of materials as they can host skyrmion phases. We will present a detailed investigation of a new Gd₂AlSi₃ single crystal phase which crystallizes in the α−ThSi₂ tetragonal structure. Comparing the temperature and magnetic field dependence of the magnetic susceptibility [χ(T)], magnetization [M(H)], heat capacity [C_P (T)], electrical resistivity [ρ(T)] and magnetoresistance (MR) measurements for magnetic fields applied along the c-axis and in the basal plane, we will discuss the observations of magnetic phase transitions and complex magnetism and the role of magnetic anisotropy in direction-dependent transport properties.