Vishnupriya Kolipakam

PhD student at the Max Planck Institute.

 Hi, I am Vishnupriya Kolipakam and I am a geneticist by training, with primary interests in evolution, anthropology and language. My current research interests include exploring & modelling co-evolutionary dynamics of genes, language and culture. Currently, I am looking at modelling post-marital residence patterns using cultural and genetic data in near and remote Oceania with the help of comparative methods and population genetics (coalescent simulations).

Phd Student at Max Planck Institute

September 2009 - Present

Modelling demographic history and evolutionary processes (Genes & Culture). Tools: Coalescent simulations, Population genetics, Phylogenetics, Comparative methodology (For eg: Coevolutionary modelling)

Research associate at Indian Institute of Science

June 2008 - July 2009 | Bangalore, India

Human-Wildife conflict: Investigating the drivers of human perception of conflict and exploring the roles of variables like history, culture in semi arid regions of India

Research associate at National Center for Biological Science

October 2007 - May 2008

Population and demographic history of the Khoisan speaking groups of Africa. Conservation genetics of Tigers and Leopards using population genetic tools and wet lab work. Tools: Extraction of DNA from scat using non-invasive techniques, Population genetics, coalescent modelling.

University of Leeds

2006 – 2007

MSc. Human Genetics

Activities: Dissertation: Peopling of Island Southeast Asia. Tools: Phylogenetics, Population genetics

Bharathiar University

2003 – 2006

BSc

Concentration: Biotechnology