Soumya Kaim | Neuroscientist & Researcher

Important Information

Sorry, VoCS Committee, for this workaround. The Google Drive/Adobe links weren’t working. The best method was to attach the PDF from my GitHub account.

Download PDF

So, who am I?

👋 Hello! I’m Soumya Kaim, and I like figuring out how brains (and people) work. Currently, I'm a master's student at the University of Groningen (RUG, The Netherlands), applying for exciting PhD positions in neuroscience with a focus on neuroimaging.

🎓 Educational Background

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Applied Psychology

University of Delhi (SPMC) – New Delhi, India

Graduated with a CGPA of 7.608 (First Class) and earned the NCC “C” Certificate. My thesis focused on Alexithymia in alcohol dependency addiction, essentially exploring why some people drink their feelings instead of expressing them.

Master of Science in Clinical Psychology

National Forensic Sciences University – Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India

Graduated with a CPI of 8.12 (First Class with Distinction). My thesis examined Lateralization, response inhibition, and impulsivity in response to emotional images and scenes, proving that emotions mess with our brains more than we think—science says so.

Master of Science (Research Master) in Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience

University of Groningen (The Netherlands) – Cognition & Cognitive Modelling (BCN, C-track)

Currently pursuing my research master's in neuroscience with a strong emphasis on neuroimaging. My research includes:

Minor Thesis: Socialization and sleep in fruit flies. (Yes, I watched flies sleep for science.)

Major Thesis: Inducing auditory hallucinations using a robot. (Making brains question reality, one experiment at a time.)

Additionally, I have been actively involved as a Program Committee and Student Council Member for my enrolled track.

Next Stop? I don't know yet—stay tuned to find out!

Research & Publications (Where my nerdiness gets serious)

🧠 Major Thesis: Inducing Auditory Hallucinations

This study investigates how sensorimotor confusion influences auditory hallucinations. A robotic arm delivers tactile stimulation to the participant’s back while they perform a Signal-Detection Task (SDT) using a joystick.

The experiment integrates EEG and fNIRS to track neural activity during sensorimotor disruptions. I developed custom Python scripts for behavioral analysis, including false positive rates, accuracy, and precision. This research contributes to understanding how sensorimotor feedback mismatches influence perception and the neural basis of hallucinations.

🪰 Minor Thesis: Do Flies Need Friends?

This study explores the impact of genetic variation on social behavior and sleep regulation in Drosophila melanogaster. Using Canton-S (CS) and Oregon-R (OR) fruit fly strains, I collected and analyzed 1,638+ hours (68 days) of continuous movement data in custom-built social arenas.

Findings showed that CS flies exhibited 27.39% more social interactions and 34.5% higher sleep duration compared to OR flies. Both strains demonstrated a 9.8% reduction in social interaction and sleep during the light phase compared to the dark phase, but locomotion remained unchanged. The study contributes to our understanding of how genetics influence social behavior and circadian regulation.

📜 Publication: Drd2 & Social Functioning

This research, published in Molecular Psychiatry, examines the role of the human neuropsychiatric risk gene Drd2 in social behavior across species. The study integrates computational analysis and experimental neurobiology to provide cross-species evidence of Drd2's role in behavior regulation.

My contributions included developing custom Python scripts to analyze over 500 minutes of social interaction data from more than 50 biological samples. Additionally, I managed key experimental logistics, including fruit fly handling, sample collection, and dataset validation.

Skills & Leadership

💻 Python, EEG Processing, Data Science

My expertise lies in programming for neuroscience research, with a focus on EEG signal processing, statistical modeling, and data visualization. I have developed automated EEG preprocessing pipelines, written Python scripts for behavioral and neuroimaging data analysis, and applied advanced statistical techniques such as multivariate analysis and regression modeling. Additionally, I have created computational tools for *Drosophila* behavior tracking, enhancing research efficiency through algorithmic automation.

🏆 Best Intern Award & NCC Training

My dedication to clinical psychology and research was recognized with the Best Intern Award at Unique Psychological Society. Additionally, I completed three years of NCC training, earning both "B" and "C" certificates. This involved military drills, small arms handling, and leadership training at two Combined Annual Training Camps (CATC), instilling resilience, adaptability, and teamwork.

📢 Guest Lecturer & Team Leader

I have actively contributed to interdisciplinary education as a Guest Lecturer on Animation & Psychology, delivering sessions on perception and cognitive science to VFX students. Additionally, I have led teams of 15+ clinical psychology interns, supervising case reports, psychotherapy sessions, and research projects, fostering strong mentorship and leadership capabilities.

Acknowledgements and Credits

My journey until now has been a learning and growth experience, and I'm grateful for the support and guidance that I've received from my mentors, peers, and community. Thank you for being part of my journey, and I look forward to continuing to learn, grow, and make a difference in the world. I'd also like to credit the sources that helped me bring this website to life and the biggest player has been neocities.