My Research
My research focuses on brain mechanisms involved in cognitive processes such as decision-making, reinforcement learning, motivation and emotional regulation. I study cognition in healthy people and investigate how disruptions in cognition arise in illnesses such as depression, as well as how we can optimize human health and potential by understanding their impact on learning outcomes, skills training and workforce productivity.
To do that, I have carefully designed laboratory-based computerized tests and mobile apps to specifically measure the cognitive process of interest in humans, and developed computational models that instantiated algorithmic hypotheses about how humans perform the test and can help better understand variability in human behaviour at the individual level. Precise mathematical algorithms were used to find parameter values that best capture each individual’s behavioral pattern during the computerized tests. These parameters were in turn mapped onto the brain with pharmacological challenge and brain imaging techniques, which will help us understand how disrupted cognition might arise in disease.
Reach me at angys@ihpc.a-star.edu.sg if you have any questions regarding my research or are interested in collaborating.
Education/Experience
- 2024 - present: Visiting Scientist, Research Division, Institute of Adult Learning, Singapore
- 2023 - present: Senior Scientist, Social and Cognitive Computing, IHPC, ASTAR, Singapore
- 2021 - present: Investigator, Brain-Body Initiative, ASTAR, Singapore
- 2020 - 2023: Scientist, Social and Cognitive Computing, IHPC, ASTAR, Singapore
- 2018 - 2020: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Harvard Medical School
- 2014 - 2018: D.Phil. in Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford
- 2009 - 2013: B.Sc. in Applied Physics (Top in Class, cGPA 4.99/5.00), Nanyang Technological University
Awards / Honours
- 2023: Inspiring Mentor Award, National University of Singapore High School
- 2022: Inspiring Mentor Award, National University of Singapore High School
- 2020: NARSAD Young Investigator Award, Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
- 2019: Kaplen Fellowship, Harvard Medical School
- 2019: Livingston Award, Harvard Medical School
- 2018: Dorris Family Pilot Translational Research Award, McLean Hospital
- 2018: Letter of Commendation for Excellent D.Phil. Thesis, University of Oxford
- 2016: Best student research paper, 5th Annual International Conference on Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology, Singapore
- 2015: 1st Prize, Poster competition, Oxford NDCN Annual Postgraduates Meeting
- 2014: National Science Scholarship, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
- 2013: Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal, Nanyang Technological University
- 2013: Koh Boon Hwee Scholars’ Award, Nanyang Technological University
- 2013: Best player award (opposition), International Physicists’ Tournament, Lausanne, Switzerland
- 2013: Dean’s List, Nanyang Technological University
- 2012: College of Science Distinguished Undergraduate Award, Nanyang Technological University
- 2012: Dean’s List, Nanyang Technological University
- 2012: Nanyang President Research Scholar, Nanyang Technological University
- 2011: Dean’s List, Nanyang Technological University
- 2010: Dean’s List, Nanyang Technological University
Key Publications
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Ang Y-S., Cusin C., Petibon Y. et al. (2022). A multi-pronged investigation of option generation using depression, PET and modafinil. Brain. (Article)
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Ang Y-S., Gelda S., Pizzagalli D.A. (2022). Cognitive effort-based decision making in Major Depressive Disorder. Psychological Medicine. (Article)
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Ang Y-S., Frontero N., Belleau E., Pizzagalli D.A. (2020). Disentangling vulnerability, state and trait features of neurocognitive impairments in depression. Brain. (Article)
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Ang Y-S., Kaiser R., Deckersbach T. et al., Pizzagalli D.A. (2020). Pretreatment reward sensitivity and frontostriatal resting-state functional connectivity are associated with response to bupropion after sertraline non-response. Biological Psychiatry (Editor’s Choice). (Article)
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Ang Y-S.*, Manohar S.*, Plant O. et al., Husain M. (2018). Dopamine modulates option generation for behaviour. Current Biology. (Article)
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Ang Y-S., Bruder G.E., Keilp J.G. et al., Pizzagalli D.A. (2020). An exploration of baseline and early changes in neurocognitive characteristics as predictors of treatment response to bupropion, sertraline and placebo in the EMBARC Clinical Trial. Psychological Medicine. (Article)
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Ang Y-S.*, Lockwood P.*, Apps M.A.J., Muhammed K., Husain M. (2017). Distinct subtypes of apathy revealed by the Apathy Motivation Index. PLoS One. (Article)
News
- 06/24: Dr. Ang and A/Prof Renee Tan awarded the MOE Science of Learning Grant for tech-augmented enhancement of metacognition in adult learners
- 04/23: Dr. Ang obtains three-year funding support to develop digital technologies for early screening of ASD in young children
- 04/23: Dr. Ang nominated for the Singapore National Academy of Sciences Young Scientist Award
- 03/23: Dr. Ang selected to attend the prestigious Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting 2023
- 02/23: Dr. Ang given the Inspiring Research Mentor Award by NUS High School
- 02/22: Dr. Ang given the Inspiring Research Mentor Award by NUS High School
- 10/20: Our latest article in Biological Psychiatry gets highlighted as “Editor’s Choice”
- 09/20: Dr. Ang awarded the prestigious NARSAD Young Investigator Grant to investigate the neurobiological mechanisms of cognitive motivational anhedonia in depression
- 06/19: Dr. Ang honored as one of two Kaplen Fellows in Depression at Harvard Medical School