Sanika Kulkarni

Supervisors: Dr Andrea Reinecke, Prof Catherine Harmer

My DPhil project focuses on exploring the effects of the drug Losartan on cognitive markers of mental illness. Losartan 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.

Prior to starting my DPhil, I completed MPhil in Clinical Neurosciences from the University of Cambridge, where I studied apathy assessments and quality of life in patients with Huntington’s disease. Before that, I completed MSc in Clinical Neurosciences from Kings College London and BA in Neuroscience and Behaviour from Wesleyan University, USA, during which I acquired lab experience with animal studies, and patient-based human psychology studies. I have done multiple internships in USA and India where I gained hands-on research experience. Besides, I am also interested in art history, languages, music, meditation, and travel.