Andrew Wong

Learning does not occur in isolation; it is profoundly shaped by our prior knowledge and external environment. My research interests center on exploring the neural mechanisms underlying associative learning, memory, affective empathy, and other forms of human cognition through the lens of computational neuroscience and deep learning. 

At UC Berkeley's Cognitive Development and Learning Lab, I studied three-dimensional object perception in children compared with neural networks, which fueled my interest in studying associative learning through computational methods. At Penn, I work at the Schapiro Computational Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, where I explore how novel information integrates with existing knowledge structures during sleep. My work involves running sleep experiments, analyzing EEG data, and developing neural networks to model hippocampal-cortical interactions. Additionally, in the Corder Lab at the Perelman School of Medicine, I contribute to developing an open-loop platform with an unsupervised algorithm to standardize the analysis of pain and analgesia behaviors in mice, aiming to advance pain disorder treatments.

As a staunch advocate of translational research, I aspire to promote better learning strategies for children and pioneer preventive interventions against neurological disorders through my research. 

I am grateful to the UScholars program for equipping me with a robust interdisciplinary perspective, through the opportunity of interacting with talented peers of diverse research interests. This unique perspective has been invaluable in comprehending the societal implications of my research and exploring alternative methodologies for specific projects. Go UScholars!

• Memory and Cognition Researcher
• Translational Research Advocate
• Peer Mentor Group Lead