Sanika Kulkarni

MPhil (Cantab), MSc (First), BA (First)

DPhil Student

About

Supervisors: Andrea Reinecke, Sarah Bauermeister & Catherine Harmer

My DPhil focuses on the effects of the renin-angiotensin system on depression, anhedonia and reward processing. As part of my DPhil, I am undertaking experimental medicine projects and analyses of large-cohort datasets. The experimental medicine projects focus on exploring the effects of an angiotensin II receptor blocker drug on cognition and reward processing. This drug is an antihypertensive medication, used to lower blood pressure, but it is thought to have an effect on learning and memory which are important for treatments like cognitive behavioural therapy.
My research interests are to look at depression and anhedonia and enhancing the effectiveness of psychological treatments, with computational modelling. The large cohort data analyses are focused on looking at effects of renin-angiotensin system-modulating drugs on depression and anhedonia.

Bio

Before starting my DPhil, I completed an MPhil in Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Cambridge.
I previously completed an MSc in Clinical Neuroscience at King’s College London and a BA in Neuroscience and Behaviour at Wesleyan University in the USA. Through research experience in the UK, USA and India, I have worked across human experimental, clinical and preclinical neuroscience.
Outside research, I am interested in art history, languages, music, meditation and travel.