Research interests: How is learning achieved with our motivation and reward? What type of dysfunction in the learning process causes the development of mental disorders? I'm interested in answering these questions by parsing out the underlying neurobiological processes when we learn and perceive reward. My research uses behavioral, psychophysiological (EEG), neuroimaging (fMRI), and neuromodulation (TMS) techniques to examine these mechanisms. I hope to help us understand these cognitive processes and enhance the precision of treatment for mental disorders.
Bio: I graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Science degree with majors in Psychology and Molecular and Cellular Biology. I later obtained a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University. Later I spent three years working at the New York State Psychiatric Institute as a Research Associate. In my free time, I enjoy going to the beach, taking care of my plants, taking photos, and stargazing. Go to my personal website to see more: https://www.yifangao.com/
Manuscript:
- Gao, Y., Panier, L.Y.X., Gameroff, M.J., Auerbach, R.P., Posner, J., Weissman, M.M., Kayser, J. (2023). Feedback negativity and feedback-related P3 in individuals at risk for depression: Comparing surface potentials and current source densities. Psychophysiology, 00, e14444. doi:10.1111/psyp.14444
- Kayser, J., Gao, Y., Panier, L.Y.X., Posner, J.E., Weissman, M.M., Bruder, G.E. (in preparation). Six-year temporal stability of neuronal generator patterns at scalp elicited by lateralized aversive pictures.
Posters and Presentations (presenter indicated with *)
- Gao, Y. *, Tay, C. (2021). A longitudinal study on the relationship between perceived threat due to COVID-19, psychological distress and subclinical psychotic experiences. [Presented at the 33rd Virtual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science (APS), May 26 – 27, online.]
- Gao, Y. *, Panier, L.Y.X., Gameroff, M.J., Auerbach, R.P., Posner, J., Weissman, M.M., Kayser, J. (2022). Feedback negativity and feedback-related P3 during the monetary incentive delay task in individuals at high and low family risk for depression. Psychophysiology, 59(S1), S126-S127. [Presented at the 62nd Hybrid Annual Meeting of the Society of Psychophysiological Research (SPR), September 28 – October 2, Vancouver, Canada.]
- Truong, D.Q. *, Gao, Y., Thomas, C., Valter, Y., Martinez, A., Huang, Y., Berman, J., Datta, A., Javitt, D.C. (2023). Parcel-guided TMS: virtual and online neuronavigation. [Presented at the 5th International Brain Stimulation Conference of the Clinical TMS Society, February 19 – 22, Lisbon, Portugal.]
- Kayser, J. *, Gao, Y., Wilson, T., Rinaldi-Rose, R., Aceto, C., Hollon, S.D., Bruder, G.E., Kishon, R. (2023). Targeting mechanisms of emotion regulation during cognitive behavioral therapy in depression: preliminary ERP findings during lateralized presentations of aversive pictures. [Presented at the 21st World Congress of Psychophysiology, June 26 - 29, Geneva, Switzerland.]
- Kayser, J. *, Gao, Y., Wilson, T., Rinaldi-Rose, R., Aceto, C., Hollon, S.D., Bruder, G.E., Kishon, R. (2023). Targeting mechanisms of emotion regulation during cognitive behavioral therapy in depression: preliminary ERP findings during lateralized presentations of aversive pictures. [Presented at the 63rd Annual Meeting of the Society of Psychophysiological Research (SPR), September 27 – October 1, New Orleans, LA.]