Deepika Karthik Kumar

About me

As a musician (singer, song writer, composer, lyricist and vocal coach) and
a genetic counsellor, with master’s degrees in both professions,
I’m excited to merge my interests in both fields by exploring the
role of genetics in musicality. I’m currently a research associate
at GenVams Trust in Chennai, India.

Links to find more about Deepika:
LinkedIn

Research

Adapting to dynamic environments

India has a long and rich musical legacy, particularly in the Carnatic and
Hindusthani genres. Beyond the classically studied western cultures,
I believe India provides rich ground for exploring the impact of genetics in musical skills.
My study’s major goals are to analyse and explain the influence of genetics on musicality,
through behavioural genetic research using questionnaires and musical assessment tools;
and molecular genetic investigations using DNA polymorphism analyses.

  • Behavioural genetic study
  • Music assessment tools
  • Molecular genetic study
  • Polymorphism analyses

Methods

  • Behavioural genetic studies using
    • Questionnaires to address the concept of nature/nurture of musical traits.
    • Musical tests as objective methods to calculate musicality in the subjects.
  • Molecular genetic studies with
    • DNA extraction
    • Polymorphism studies
  • Analysis of genetic contribution to musicality by using statistical tools.

Qualifications and Professional Experience

From 2023: PhD candidate, GenVams Trust, Chennai, India; PhD candidate, Maastricht University, The Netherlands, Research Area- Genetics and Music.

From 2022: Founder of Kadhaigal (Independent music band) and The Student Project.

From 2016: Music teacher (freelance), Singer-songwriter-composer, Veena player

From 2014: Genetic counsellor, Nishta Integrated Neurodevelopment Centre, Chennai, India

2014-2018: MA Music (Vocals- Carnatic Genre), Kalai Kaviri College of Fine Arts, The Tamil University, Tanjavur.

2010-2012: Genetic diagnostics, Microbiological Laboratories, Coimbatore, India.

2009-2010: Junior Research Fellow, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

2007-2009: M.Sc Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

2004-2007: B.Sc (Hons) Bio-Sciences, Sri Sathya Sai University, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, India.

From 1998: Musician (performer and playback singer)