EDUCATION
Ph.D. in Psychology
2019 - present | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
M.S. in Psychological Science
2017 - 2019 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
M.S. in Advertising
2015 - 2017 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
B.A. in Advertising
2011 - 2015 | Wuhan University, China
B.S. in Psychology (double major)
2013 - 2015 | Central China Normal University, China
SKILLSETS
Programming:
Python | R | Matlab | JavaScript | SQL
Softward:
PowerBI | Adobe Photoshop | Adobe Premier | SPSS
Research:
Experimentation | Eye-tracking | Survey design | Qualitative research | Data analysis | Computational modeling | Machine Learning | Neural network modeling | Data visualization
Statistics:
Hypothesis testing | Model fitting and comparison | Cross validation | Regression | Cluster analysis | Hierarchical Linear Modeling
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Led 12 projects aimed at understanding human visual cognition, conceptualized and designed experiments to answer questions involving various aspects of human vision:
How do color, shape and texture information combine in human vision to guide attention?
Do attention and expectation affect search speed? Will people search faster when they know what type of evidence they will receive (e.g., color, shape, etc.)?
Designed research protocols, trained research assistants to execute the experiments.
Programmed 80+ eye-tracking and behavioral experiments using Matlab, Python and JavaScript.
Analyzed data using advanced statistical methods (e.g., computational modeling and model comparison, structural equation modeling, hierarchical linear modeling, etc.) and tools (R, Python and SPSS).
Visualized and communicated research findings to both technical and general audiences.
Published 5 journal articles (2 first-authored), gave 7 poster presentations at international conferences and 5 talks at department seminars.
Conducted interviews and wrote report understanding Millennials’ and Baby-boomers’ social media usage.
Conducted cross-cultural study about the effectiveness of nutritional supplement advertisements in China and US.
Worked in teams of interdisciplinary backgrounds, including Math, Computer Science, Advertising, and Design on 5 projects understanding human vision and consumer behaviors.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
PhD Research Assistant
Vision Lab, UIUC
August, 2019 - present
Lab management: training 15 undergraduates research assistants, managing ethical compliance documents, arranging cash advances for paid studies.
Research: designing and programming (Python, Matlab and Javascript), data collection, analysis, and computational modeling (R), and preparing report on series of behavioral and eye-tracking experiments of an NSF funded project studying the role of peripheral vision in search behavior.
PhD Teaching Assistant
Psychology Department, UIUC
August, 2022 - present
Preparing class slides and giving lectures 3 days/week for PSYC100 Introduction to Psychology course.
Grading assignments and holding office hours on a weekly basis.
Emerging Issue Tracking & Public Health and Social Media Engagement Intern
Abbott Nutrition
October, 2017 - May, 2019
Used PowerBI to develop Competitor Intelligence dashboard to track competitors’ clinical research and deliver to research scientists
Developed Emerging Issue Alerting dashboard to track food safety crises and create 5-15 alerts on a weekly basis, delivered the alerts to research scientists and communication team
Developed public health policy and social media strategy decks for Abbott Nutrition in 2018 and 2019, presented to business leadership
Consumer Research Lead
Crescent Marketing Agency
April, 2017 - October, 2017
Designed and analyzed consumer research questionnaires. Used insights to craft social media posts. Increased followers by 20%. Developed, executed, and track campaigns for BMW, Bankier Property, and Pygmalion festival. Increased brand engagement by 20% and promoted sales by 30%.
Client Service and Business Development Intern
Kantar Millward Brown ACSR Beijing
June, 2016 - August, 2016
Developed story-driven research report for 2016 Huawei Manhattan and Long Island launching campaign.
Wrote research proposals for clients, including Durex, Baidu, VOSS, Haier, Tencent, TCL and Youku.
AWARDS
Dissertation Completion Fellowship, UIUC, 2023-2024
Psychology Department Conference Presentation Award, 2022
Graduate Award for Excellence in Psychological Science, UIUC, 2019
Academic Achievement Scholarship, Wuhan University, 2012-2013
Excellence Creative Award at the Fifth College Students’ Advertising Art Competition,2012-2013