PhD Scholars
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Pursuing PhD in Clinical Psychology Since: July 2017
Topic of Research : Music perception, phonological skills, cognitive functions in children with specific learning disability and typically developing children with and without musical training Children with SLD are known to have deficits in phonological processing and other cognitive functions like attention, working memory, visuo-spatial perception and long term memory. Processing of certain aspects of music like rhythm is similar to the processing of language. Music perception is an important pre academic skill that is known to predict children’s reading skills. The current study aims to assess music perception, phonological skills and cognitive functions in children with SLD and compare it with typically developing children. Study also aims to understand the benefits of music training on language processing by testing the same skills in children who are trained in music. |
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Pursuing PhD in Clinical Psychology Since: January 2020
Topic of Research: Development of music and rhythm based cognitive remediation program and its effectiveness in patients with mild-moderate Traumatic brain injury. Ms. Prathima A.R. is currently a PhD scholar and junior consultant in the Department of Clinical Psychology at National Institute of Mental health ad Neuroscience (NIMHANS), Bangalore. As a professional singer and a clinical psychology graduate herself, she was keenly interested in understanding how brain processes music and on how music can be used in treatment programs in patients with psychiatric and neurological conditions. She completed her M.Phil (2017-2019) in clinical psychology from NIMHANS. As part of her MPhil dissertation work, she carried out a study exploring musical and neurocognitive deficits, emotion perception and social cognition in patients with mild-moderate depression. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Clinical Psychology since January 2020, under guidance of Dr. Shantala Hegde. Her current doctoral work is in the area of Traumatic brain Injury. Cognitive deficits such as deficits in attention, executive functions and memory play crucial role in functional and occupational recovery in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Patients with TBI can also develop comorbid psychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety. Her PhD research work aims at developing music and rhythm based cognitive remediation program, targeting cognitive deficits in patients with mild-moderate TBI. This study has its implication in being able to develop and use alternative approaches in treatment of TBI. |
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Pursuing PhD in Clinical Psychology Since: August 2021
Topics of Research: Music and rhythm perception in Parkinson’s Disease, Effect of musical training on brain and its functions, Effect of Musical Training on Brain and its Functions Ms.Topoti Baruah joined NIMHANS on Feb, 2021 after completing her M.Phil in Clinical Psychology from LGBRIMH, Tezpur in November 2020. Her topic of MPhil dissertation was to study the memory deficit in persons with OCD and its impact on psychopathology. She did her graduation from Andhra University in Human Genetics, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, and completed her Master’s in Biotechnology from Guwahati University. Later she went on to pursue Masters in Psychology from Cotton University, Guwahati. She is trained in Indian Classical and other dance forms, currently she is working in the Music Cognition Laboratory, as a senior research fellow in the Wellcome Trust DBT India Alliance funded project. |
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Pursuing PhD in Clinical Psychology Since: August 2021
Topic of Research: Neuropsychological profile and MRI correlates of multiple sclerosis – A follow up pre-post exploratory study Ms. Vinayaka Yadav joined NIMHANS in 2018 as MPhil Clinical Psychology scholar. As part of the MPhil dissertation she carried out the study to explore neurocognition, anxiety, depression and quality of life in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) under the guidance of Dr. Shantala Hegde. Post her MPhil, she has also served in the institute as clinical psychologist and junior consultant, in the adult psychiatry unit. Consecutive to her joining for PhD in 2021, she is actively continuing to work in the area of RRMS and neuropsychology, under the guidance of Dr. Shantala Hegde. As MS is a significantly challenging neurodegenerative condition, deficits in neurocognition like attention, information processing, working memory are common and play crucial role in affecting the disease course and outcome with bearing on patient’s overall quality of life. Patients with MS can also commonly experience comorbid psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and depression. The PhD research aims to explore neuropsychological profile (neurocognition, mood and quality of life) and MRI correlates in patients with RRMS over one year follow up. |
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Pursuing PhD in Clinical Psychology Since: July 2024
Shreyas Krishnakumar is a PhD Scholar in Clinical Psychology at NIMHANS since June 2024 and a Junior Consultant in the Clinical Neuropsychology Unit and Department of Neurorehabilitation. He holds a Bachelor's degree with majors in Psychology, Sociology, and Economics, as well as an MSc and MPhil in Clinical Psychology from NIMHANS. His research focuses on rhythm-based interventions for stroke patients, exploring various domains of attention and executive functions using electroencephalography. A self-taught music producer with a strong interest in experimental psychology, he is particularly fascinated by the fundamental building blocks of music as an auditory phenomenon, its neural underpinnings, and its relationship with neurocognitive functions such as attention and executive function. His work aims to deepen our understanding of these connections while developing translational approaches for neurorehabilitation. At the intersection of music, technology, and rehabilitation, he seeks to harness emerging advancements to create innovative interventions for individuals with neurological conditions. |
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Pursuing PhD in Clinical Psychology Since: July 2024
Preeti Kodancha is a Clinical Psychologist and Junior Consultant in the Clinical Neuropsychology Unit and the Department of Neurorehabilitation at NIMHANS, Bangalore. She holds a BSc (Hons) and MSc in Clinical Psychology, as well as an MPhil in Clinical Psychology from NIMHANS, completed in 2022. She began her PhD in Clinical Psychology in July 2024, focusing on the use of music-based mood induction and EEG to explore the interaction of affect and cognition among stroke survivors. During her MPhil, Ms. Kodancha adapted and tested the effectiveness of a cognitive retraining intervention for depression, addressing both subjectively perceived and objectively assessed cognitive deficits. A trained Carnatic vocalist and violinist, she integrates her musical background into her research, blending art and science to better understand the human mind. Outside her professional life, she is deeply interested in global politics and public policy, with a particular focus on public health policy. |
Research Fellows
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Dr. Krishna Kumari K is a Project Research Scientist-I in Clinical Psychology at the Department of Clinical Psychopharmacology & Neurotoxicology (CPNT), NIMHANS, a position she has held since November 2024. Her research interests include psychotherapy process research, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), integrative and phase-based approaches for trauma recovery, and the study of neurocognitive functions in trauma and PTSD.
Dr. Krishna completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology from NIMHANS in November 2024, with her doctoral research focusing on the effectiveness of Modified Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) in PTSD and its process outcomes. She also holds an MPhil in Clinical Psychology from NIMHANS, completed in June 2017. Alongside her academic and research pursuits, Dr. Krishna has significant clinical experience. She worked as a Clinical Psychologist at A.J. Institute of Medical Sciences (AJIMS), Mangalore, from September 2017 to November 2018, where she provided psychological care to individuals with diverse mental health needs. Dr. Krishna's work reflects her dedication to advancing trauma recovery through innovative therapeutic approaches and her contributions to the field of clinical psychology. |
M.Phil Scholars
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Title of the study: Presurgical evaluation of neurocognition, quality of life, stress and anxiety in children with brain tumors.
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Title of the study: Self-identify and loss of self in patient's with Traumatic Brain Injury
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Awards and Honours Received by Current Members
- 2023 - Prathima A R and Topoti Baruah received the prestigious IFNR Young Investigator Award at the 11th Annual Conference of Indian Federation of Neurorehabilitation (IFNRCON 2023), Mumbai in April 2023.
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