About Research Publications

About me

I am an interdisciplinary scientist driven by a deep curiosity about the human mind and a passion for translating scientific discovery into real-world solutions. My journey began with a foundation […]

Today, I lead research that blends neuroscience, psychology and cutting-edge AI/ML technologies to understand and enhance the human experience. My work centres on the science of cognitive processes[…]

<!– The first is developing and validating a tech-augmented learning programme designed to enhance metacognition (ability to understand and regulate your own thinking processes) in adult learners.[…]

In the second project, we are working with clinicians to develop and validate a novel multimodal autism screening and assessment tool that can be easily applied in both home and clinical settings.[…]

<!– 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 peop[…]

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 th[…]

Reach me at angys@ihpc.a-star.edu.sg if you want to learn more about our current projects, from metacognitive learning platforms to scalable digital tools for developmental screening.

Experience

  • 2024 - present: Visiting Scientist, Research Division, Institute of Adult Learning, Singapore
  • 2023 - present: Senior Scientist, Social and Cognitive Computing, IHPC, ASTAR, Singapore
  • 2020 - 2023: Scientist, Social and Cognitive Computing, IHPC, ASTAR, Singapore

Education

  • 2018 - 2020: Postdoctoral 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, Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal, Koh Boon Hwee Scholar), Nanyang Technological University

Team

  • Dr. Gladia Hotan, Research Scientist (A*STAR)
  • Mr. Landy Lan, Research Engineer (A*STAR)
  • Ms. Clare Tan, Research Engineer (A*STAR)
  • Ms. Juanita Ong, Research Assistant (IAL)
  • Ms. Sophia Koo, Research Assistant (IAL)

Mentored Students

  • Mr. Praveen Suthaharan (Currently doing PhD at Yale)
  • Ms. Yanlin Chen (Currently doing BSc at Carnegie Mellon)
  • Ms. Cindy J. Pang (Currently doing PhD at UCLA)
  • Ms. Nicole Frontero (Currently data analyst in private sector)
  • Mr. Loy Xingqi (Currently Clinical Psychologist in Singapore)

Awards / Honours

Mentoring

  • 2025: Friends of Beatty Award (Bronze), Beatty Secondary School
  • 2023: Inspiring Mentor Award, National University of Singapore High School
  • 2022: Inspiring Mentor Award, National University of Singapore High School

Scientific

  • 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

Academic

  • 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

Google Scholar

  • Ang Y-S., Cusin C., Petibon Y. et al. (2022). A multi-pronged investigation of option generation using depression, PET and modafinil. Brain. ([Article](https://academic.oup.com/bra[…]

  • Ang Y-S., Gelda S., Pizzagalli D.A. (2023). Cognitive effort-based decision making in Major Depressive Disorder. Psychological Medicine. ([Article](https://www.cambridge.org/core/j[…]

  • Ang Y-S., Frontero N., Belleau E., Pizzagalli D.A. (2020). Disentangling vulnerability, state and trait features of neurocognitive impairments in depression. Brain. ([Article](http[…]

  • 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 t[…]

  • Ang Y-S., Manohar S., Plant O. et al., Husain M. (2018). Dopamine modulates option generation for behaviour. Current Biology. ([Article](https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fu[…]

  • 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 bup[…]

  • 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](https://journals.pl[…]

News

  • 06/24: Dr. Ang and A/Prof Renee Tan (IAL) awarded the MOE Science of Learning Grant for tech-augmented enhancement of metacognition in adult learners
  • 04/23: Dr. Ang, Dr. Wong (KKH) and Dr. Lee (Duke-NUS) awarded 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 Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting 2023
  • 10/20: Our latest article in Biological Psychiatry gets highlighted as “Editor’s Choice”
  • 09/20: Dr. Ang awarded the NARSAD Young Investigator Award
  • 06/19: Dr. Ang awarded Kaplen Fellowship in Depression at Harvard Medical School