Research Portfolio
Journal Papers
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PhD Thesis
Terminal - rahul@nimhans
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README.md
# Dr. Rahul Venugopal
## Cognitive Scientist | Centre for Consciousness Studies, NIMHANS
Welcome to my research portfolio!
I study the Sense of Self - how it emerges, fragments, and can be
radically altered across different states of consciousness.
Research Focus:
• Neural oscillatory dynamics in cognition
• Consciousness studies (meditation, sleep, altered states)
• EEG/PSG signal processing and analysis
• Non-invasive neuromodulation (tACS)
• Brain-heart interactions (interoception)
Contact: rhlvenugopal@gmail.com
Website: rahulvenugopal.github.io/haveyoumetrahul/
GitHub: github.com/rahulvenugopal
Scholar: Google Scholar Profile
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About - Dr. Rahul Venugopal
Dr. Rahul Venugopal
Scientist (Cognitive Science) | NIMHANS, Bengaluru
BTech, ME, MPhil, PGDMH, PhD in Cognitive Neurosciences
Research Niche
I am establishing my research niche at Centre for Consciousness Studies as a Cognitive
scientist.
The idea is to study the Sense of Self - how it emerges, how it fragments, and
how
it can be radically altered. My frameworks bridge neuroscience, psychiatry, technology and
contemplative
science to explore what happens when the boundaries of the self dissolve, distort, or
expand—whether in
schizophrenia, autism, lucid dreaming, altered states in mind-body practices like non-duality,
out-of-body experiences, etc.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Cognitive Neurosciences
NIMHANS, Bengaluru, India
2018 - 2024
Thesis: Neural Oscillatory Dynamics and Cognition: A Neurophysiological Study
Master of Philosophy (MPhil) - Neurosciences
NIMHANS, Bengaluru, India
2014 - 2016
Dissertation: Assessment of EEG in Practitioners of Vipassana Meditation: A Non-Linear Analysis
Master of Engineering (ME) - Medical Electronics
College of Engineering Guindy, Chennai, India
2011 - 2013
Current Position
Scientist (Cognitive Science)
Centre for Consciousness Studies, Dept. of Neurophysiology, NIMHANS
July 2025 - Present
Leading research on Sense of Self at Centre for Consciousness Studies
Key Skills & Expertise
Programming & Analysis
- Python, R, MATLAB
- MNE-Python, EEGLAB
- Statistical modeling
- Machine learning
Neuroimaging
- High-density EEG (128ch)
- Polysomnography
- Event-related potentials
- Time-frequency analysis
Neuromodulation
- tACS protocols
- Closed-loop systems
- Real-time feedback
- Sleep stimulation
Research Methods
- Experimental design
- Signal processing
- Graph theory networks
- Non-linear dynamics
Notable Achievements
- 🏆 Full bursary for CIFAR Neuroscience of Consciousness Winter School, Mexico (₹5,50,000)
- 🌍 Selected as one of 16 global scholars for MESEC Workshop on Non-ordinary States, France (₹1,25,000)
- 🥇 Best poster award at EMBO Lecture Course, IIT Gandhinagar (₹10,000)
- 🧠 Winner of Royal Belgian Society Dataviz Challenge (2021)
- 📝 Winner of Dana Foundation Brain Trivia Writing Competition (2020)
- 🎯 Cleared NIMHANS PhD entrance with 2% selection rate (2018)
Publications Impact
5
Journal Papers
11
Preprints
47
Conference Papers
💭 Random Thoughts - Brain Musings
⚡ Synaptic Transmissions
Intercepted signals from the edge of understanding
📊 Research Statistics - Live Dashboard
125+
Polysomnography Studies
Whole-night sleep recordings conducted
25+
Students Mentored
Trainees and interns guided
63
Total Publications
Journals, preprints, and conferences
6.6L+
Research Funding
Travel grants and bursaries won
128
EEG Channels
High-density brain recordings
7
Peer Reviews
Journal articles reviewed
🎯 Research Impact Timeline
📅 2024: CIFAR Scholar (Mexico) | MESEC
Scholar (France) | EMBO Fellow (Portugal)
📅 2022: EMBO Best Poster Award | Best Paper
Award ICBNA
📅 2021: Royal Belgian Society Dataviz Winner
📅 2018-2024: PhD Journey - Neural
Oscillations & Cognition