Joyce Gao

EDUCATION

College / University

Brown University

Highest Degree

Bachelor of Science

Major Subjects

Cognitive Neuroscience

Country

China (P.R.)

Lab Experience

Electroencephalography (EEG), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), Behavioral data analysis, Biophysical modeling of EEG data, Electrocardiogram (EKG), eye-tracking, Python, MATLAB

Projects / Research

2024 – 2026: "Computational Neural modeling of TMS Evoked Potentials (TEP) using the Human Neocortical Neurosolver", Brown University, Dr. Stephanie Jones
2022 – 2024: "Investigating EEG neural correlates of temporal orienting of attention in goal-directed hand and eye movements", Brown University, Dr. Joo-Hyun Song
2022: "Exploring visual integration of shape and motion information through a modified Stroop task combining arrow direction with Random Dot Motion stimuli", Brown University, Dr. David Sheinberg

Scholarships / Awards

2026 – 2028:

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master (EMJM) scholarship

SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS AND GOALS

I am interested in understanding the mechanisms underlying neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. My background in cognitive neuroscience and experience using computational neural modeling to bridge human EEG with cell and circuit dynamics taught me to think across levels of analysis, from cellular dynamics to emergent cognition. I hope to use neuroimaging and computational methods to contribute to cross-level understanding of brain disorders like depression and Alzheimer's, with the goal of informing more effective treatments. I'm also committed to making the science behind these disorders accessible to all. To do so, I am honing my skills in science communication through creating comics, animations, and writing.