Prof. Haiyan WU | Psychology | Women Researcher Award

Assistant Professor at University of Macau, China

Prof. Haiyan Wu is an Assistant Professor at the Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, with a research focus on cognitive neuroscience and decision-making. She holds a Ph.D. in Cognitive Neuroscience from Beijing Normal University and has previously held academic positions at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the California Institute of Technology. Her work explores neural mechanisms underlying social emotions, cognitive control, and decision-making, with numerous publications in high-impact journals such as NeuroImage and Cerebral Cortex. Prof. Wu has led several significant research projects funded by organizations such as the Science and Technology Development Fund of Macau and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. She has received multiple awards, including being named among the 30 Young Innovators in Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence. With an h-index of 26 and over 1,900 citations, her contributions have significantly advanced understanding in her field.

Profile

Education

Prof. Haiyan Wu has a robust academic background in psychology and cognitive neuroscience. She earned her Ph.D. in Cognitive Neuroscience from Beijing Normal University, China, between 2010 and 2013, where she focused on the neural mechanisms underlying human cognition. Prior to this, she completed her Master’s degree in Psychology at Zhejiang Normal University from 2007 to 2010, gaining a strong foundation in psychological theories and research methods. Prof. Wu’s academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Guangxi Normal University, completed in 2007, which provided her with a comprehensive understanding of educational theories and practices. Her diverse educational experiences across prominent Chinese universities have equipped her with a multidisciplinary perspective, combining psychology, neuroscience, and education, which now informs her research and teaching at the University of Macau. Her educational background has been pivotal in her development as an expert in cognitive and brain sciences.

Professional Experience

Prof. Haiyan Wu is an esteemed Assistant Professor at the Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Department of Psychology at the University of Macau, a position she has held since August 2020. Prior to this, she served as an Associate Professor at the Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, from 2017 to 2020. Her career also includes a Visiting Associate position at the California Institute of Technology between 2017 and 2019. Earlier, she worked as an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, from 2013 to 2017. Prof. Wu’s professional journey highlights her significant contributions to the fields of cognitive neuroscience and psychology, with research focusing on neural mechanisms underlying social and cognitive behaviors. Her experience spans prestigious academic institutions, contributing to her reputation as a leading figure in cognitive and social neuroscience.

Research Interest

Prof. Haiyan Wu’s research interests primarily lie in the fields of cognitive neuroscience and psychology, with a focus on the neural mechanisms underlying social behavior, decision-making, and cognitive control. Her work explores how the brain processes emotions, empathy, social conformity, and dishonesty, using advanced neuroimaging techniques like fMRI and EEG. Prof. Wu has investigated the role of oxytocin in modulating social emotions and behaviors, as well as the neural correlates of moral decision-making and cooperation. Additionally, her research delves into the cross-cultural neural mechanisms of kinship and the effects of group identity on empathy. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates behavioral science with neurophysiological analysis, aiming to understand the complex interactions between brain function, social dynamics, and cognitive processes. Prof. Wu’s research contributes to advancements in fields like social neuroscience, neuropsychology, and brain-inspired intelligence, bridging the gap between cognitive science and real-world social interactions.

Research Skills

Prof. Haiyan Wu is an expert in cognitive neuroscience and psychology, with a strong focus on decision-making, social behaviors, and neural mechanisms underlying cognitive processes. Her research skills include advanced neuroimaging techniques such as fMRI and EEG, which she uses to study brain activity related to empathy, social interaction, and cognitive control. She is proficient in data analysis using neurophysiological tools and has a deep understanding of behavioral science, integrating both psychological and neural data. Prof. Wu is also skilled in experimental design, especially in cross-cultural and social neuroscience research, investigating how social and emotional factors influence human decision-making. Additionally, she excels in using computational modeling to understand cognitive processes, contributing to the fields of neuroscience and artificial intelligence. Her collaborative work has led to innovative approaches in both theoretical and applied research, making significant contributions to cognitive and brain sciences.

Award and Recognition

Prof. Haiyan Wu, Ph.D., has received numerous awards and recognition for her outstanding contributions to psychology and neuroscience. In 2023, she was named one of the “30 Young Innovators in Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence,” highlighting her innovative research in cognitive neuroscience. She was also recognized for her excellence in mentorship when her PhD student, Yanyan Qi, received the prestigious Awards of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in 2018. Earlier, in 2017, she was honored as the Outstanding Associate Professor at the Institute of Psychology, CAS. Additionally, her academic excellence was acknowledged during her graduate studies when she was named an Outstanding Graduate Student at Zhejiang Normal University in 2010. Prof. Wu’s contributions to the scientific community are reflected in her leadership of numerous high-impact research projects, as well as her prolific publication record, which further solidifies her reputation as a leading figure in her field.

Conclusion

Dr. Wu’s stellar research, international collaborations, and numerous grants position her as a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. With further development in mentorship and public outreach, her influence can reach new heights.

Publications Top Notes

Title: Abnormal baseline brain activity in bipolar depression: a resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging study
- Authors: C.H. Liu, F. Li, S.F. Li, Y.J. Wang, C.L. Tie, H.Y. Wu, Z. Zhou, D. Zhang, J. Dong, Z. Huang, H. Gong
- Journal: Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging
- Year: 2012
- Volume: 203 (2-3)
- Pages: 175-179
- Citations: 138
Title: Temporal course of executive control when lying about self- and other-referential information: an ERP study
- Authors: X. Hu, H. Wu, G. Fu
- Journal: Brain Research
- Year: 2011
- Volume: 1369
- Pages: 149-157
- Citations: 113
Title: Neural signatures of social conformity: A coordinate-based activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis of functional brain imaging studies
- Authors: H. Wu, Y. Luo, C. Feng
- Journal: Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
- Year: 2016
- Volume: 71
- Pages: 101-111
- Citations: 103
Title: Suppression of aversive memories associates with changes in early and late stages of neurocognitive processing
- Authors: C. Chen, C. Liu, R. Huang, D. Cheng, H. Wu, P. Xu, X. Mai, Y.J. Luo
- Journal: Neuropsychologia
- Year: 2012
- Volume: 50 (12)
- Pages: 2839-2848
- Citations: 68
Title: The procrastinators want it now: behavioral and event-related potential evidence of the procrastination of intertemporal choices
- Authors: H. Wu, D. Gui, W. Lin, R. Gu, X. Zhu, X. Liu
- Journal: Brain and Cognition
- Year: 2016
- Volume: 107
- Pages: 16-23
- Citations: 66
Title: Unexpected acceptance? Patients with social anxiety disorder manifest their social expectancy in ERPs during social feedback processing
- Authors: J. Cao, R. Gu, X. Bi, X. Zhu, H. Wu
- Journal: Frontiers in Psychology
- Year: 2015
- Volume: 6
- Article ID: 1745
- Citations: 58
Title: Mentalizing during social interaction: A four component model
- Authors: H. Wu, X. Liu, C.C. Hagan, D. Mobbs
- Journal: Cortex
- Year: 2020
- Volume: 126
- Pages: 242-252
- Citations: 57
Title: A novel convolutional neural network model to remove muscle artifacts from EEG
- Authors: H. Zhang, C. Wei, M. Zhao, Q. Liu, H. Wu
- Conference: ICASSP 2021 – IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing
- Year: 2021
- Pages: n/a
- Citations: 55
Title: Machine Learning Applications on Neuroimaging for Diagnosis and Prognosis of Epilepsy: A Review
- Authors: J. Yuan, X. Ran, K. Liu, C. Yao, Y. Yao, H. Wu, Q. Liu
- Journal: Journal of Neuroscience Methods
- Year: 2021
- Article ID: 109441
- Citations: 50
Title: Altruistic and self-serving goals modulate behavioral and neural responses in deception

Authors: F. Cui, S. Wu, H. Wu, C. Wang, C. Jiao, Y. Luo
Journal: Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience
Year: 2018
Volume: 13 (1)
Pages: 63-71
Citations: 44

Dr. Ambika C Suneesh | Psychiatric Care Award | Women Researcher Award

Professor at Amala college of Nursing, India.

Ambika is a highly accomplished nursing educator and mental health professional with a strong academic background and extensive experience. She holds a PhD in Mental Health Nursing and an MPhil in Mental Health Nursing, along with postgraduate and undergraduate degrees in nursing. Ambika’s research interests include motivational interviewing, mindfulness meditation, and substance abuse among adolescents. She has published several papers in reputable journals and presented her research at national conferences. Ambika’s dedication to nursing education is evident from her roles as Vice Principal and Associate Professor, where she teaches various nursing subjects and oversees academic and administrative functions. She is also actively involved in cultural activities and community health programs. Ambika’s skills in teaching, research, and clinical practice, along with her numerous achievements, make her a valuable asset to the nursing profession.

Professional Profiles:

Education:

Ambika has a strong educational background in nursing and mental health nursing. She completed her PhD in Mental Health Nursing from Rani Meyyammai College of Nursing, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu. She also holds an MPhil in Mental Health Nursing from Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal, Karnataka, where she achieved a remarkable 75.33% marks. Prior to this, Ambika completed her post-graduation in Mental Health Nursing from Government College of Nursing, Kozhikode under Calicut University, Kerala, where she obtained 67.79% of marks. Her journey in nursing education began with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Government College of Nursing, Kozhikode under Calicut University, Kerala, where she scored 70.58% of marks. Ambika’s academic foundation includes a Pre-degree from Calicut University, Kerala, and SSLC from the Board Of Secondary Education, Kerala. Her educational accomplishments reflect her dedication to nursing, particularly in the field of mental health nursing, and her commitment to academic excellence.

Research Experience:

Ambika has a significant research background in nursing, particularly in mental health nursing. She has conducted research on various topics, including motivational interviewing as a supplementary therapy for cannabis use disorder, the socio-demographic profile of late childhood and adolescence abusing cannabis, and the use of mindfulness meditation to improve the quality of life for patients with cannabis abuse. Her research has been published in reputable journals such as the International Journal of Advanced Psychiatric Nursing, the International Journal of Public Health Research and Development, and the IOSR Journal of Nursing and Health Science. Additionally, Ambika has presented her findings at national conferences, demonstrating her commitment to advancing the field of mental health nursing through evidence-based practices and empirical research.

Research Interest:

Ambika’s research interests primarily focus on mental health nursing, with a particular emphasis on interventions and therapies for substance use disorders such as cannabis abuse. She is also interested in exploring the socio-demographic factors associated with substance abuse among adolescents. Additionally, Ambika is interested in mindfulness meditation as a potential intervention to enhance the quality of life for individuals struggling with substance abuse issues. Her research demonstrates a commitment to understanding and improving mental health outcomes, especially in populations affected by substance abuse.

Award and Honors:

Ambika has received several awards and honors in recognition of her contributions to the field of nursing and mental health. Notably, she secured the first prize in a Diabetes Selfie Competition organized by Iqraa Diabetic Centre in connection with World Diabetes Day. She has also received accolades for her academic achievements, including securing the highest marks in Designing Nursing Curriculum during her MPhil Nursing studies and achieving the highest marks in the first year of her MPhil Nursing program. Additionally, Ambika’s participation in cultural activities and community health programs, such as the Women Marathon Dauntless 2017 organized by the NSS unit of JDT Islam Arts College, highlights her dedication to promoting health and well-being beyond the academic realm.

Skills:

Ambika possesses a diverse set of skills that are valuable in her role as a nursing educator and mental health professional. Her teaching skills are evident from her experience in teaching various subjects like Mental Health Nursing, Nursing Research, Nursing Education, and Nursing Service Administration. She also has strong research skills, as demonstrated by her numerous publications in reputable journals and presentations at national conferences. Ambika’s clinical skills are evident from her experience in assisting in various nursing procedures and her registration as a Nurse/Midwife with The Kerala Nurses and Midwives Council. Additionally, her organizational skills are highlighted by her role as Vice Principal at KMCT College of Nursing, where she oversees various academic and administrative functions. Overall, Ambika’s skills make her a well-rounded and effective nursing educator and mental health professional.

Achievements:

Ambika has achieved several noteworthy accomplishments throughout her career in nursing and mental health. She has been recognized for her academic excellence, winning prizes and securing the highest marks in various nursing-related subjects and examinations. Ambika has also received awards for her research contributions, including publications in reputable journals and presentations at national conferences. Her active participation in cultural activities and community health programs showcases her commitment to promoting health and well-being beyond her professional duties. Ambika’s role as a resource person and her involvement in accreditation processes highlight her leadership and expertise in the field of nursing education. Overall, Ambika’s achievements reflect her dedication to advancing nursing practice and mental health care.

Haiyan WU | Psychology | Women Researcher Award