Curriculum Vitae

You can also find my CV at my LinkedIn page.

Education

PhD in Psychology (Brain, Behavior, and Cognition)
Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Advisor: Mark Beeman, PhD
Dissertation: The Influence of Attentional Selectivity on Insight and Analytic Problem Solving 		2017-2019
MS in Psychology (Brain, Behavior, and Cognition)
Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Advisor: Mark Beeman, PhD
Thesis: Selective Attention to Global Stimuli Induces Analytic Problem Solving 		2014-2017
BA in Psychology (minor in Studio Art), cum laude
Queens College, Flushing, NY 		2008-2012

Research Experience

Researcher
Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
  • Designed, programmed, and conducted original behavioral research studies (A/B testing, survey research with Qualtrics, structured and unstructured interviews, and pilot usability tests) investigating topics ranging from creative problem solving to visual aesthetics.
  • Performed advanced statistical analyses on quantitative datasets using R, Python (pandas), SPSS, and Microsoft Excel.
  • Presented research at 8 local, national, and international conferences and symposia.
  • Led and participated in research team meetings.
  • Hired and trained over 30 undergraduate research assistants. Supervised 8-12 undergraduate research assistants each academic quarter.
    		• 2014-present
    Researcher
    Baruch College, New York, NY
  • Designed, programmed, and conducted original behavioral research studies (A/B testing, survey research with Qualtrics) investigating environmental psychology.
  • Performed advanced statistical analyses on quantitative datasets using SPSS, and Microsoft Excel.
  • Presented original research at 6 local, national, and international conferences.
    		• 2014-2017
    Research Associate
    Queens College, Flushing, NY
  • Recruited study participants for various psychophysics studies.
  • Collected psychophysical and behavioral data from participants in various psychophysics studies using MATLAB, and analyzed data using Microsoft Excel and SPSS.
    		•  2012-2014
    Research Associate
    Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
  • Recruited study participants and assisted in the collection of EEG data with Biosemi Actiview, fMRI data, and behavioral/survey data.
  • Processed EEG data on BrainVision Analyzer for various research studies.
  • Utilized HTML, CSS, and Javascript to design and manage the lab website.
    		•  2012-2014

    Teaching & Mentoring Experience

    Teaching Assistant
    Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
  • Created and presented interactive course materials in accessible, user-friendly language to undergraduate students.
  • Consulted one-on-one with undergraduate students to help maximize understanding of course material.
  • Presented guest lectures on visual aesthetics.
    		• 2014-present
    Mentor
    Northwestern Univeristy, Evanston, IL
  • Mentored undergraduate research assistants on the research process including IRB protocols, participant recruitment, study procedures, data collection, data processing, data analysis, and data visualization and presentation.
  • Led lab workshops for undergraduate research assistants on technical skills such as Microsoft Excel and Python.
    		• 2014-present

    Professional Experience

    Adjunct Senior College Laboratory Technician
    Baruch College, New York, NY
  • Developed and presented biweekly workshops to disseminate complex information regarding ethics in research and Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols in accessible language to undergraduate researchers.
  • Consulted with individual undergraduate researchers on issues related to creating, writing, and submitting Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications.
    		• 2013-2014
    Student, Data, and Communications Coordinator
    Research Foundation of the City University of New York, New York, NY
  • Facilitated communication between the Research Experiences for Undergraduates at Baruch College (REU) students and the program director.
  • Supervised 15 REU students and oversaw student responsibilities to meet program milestones and deadlines.
  • Utilized knowledge of HTML, CSS, and Javascript to design and manage the program website.
    		• 2013-2014
    Lab Manager
    Baruch College, New York, NY
  • Managed the day-to-day operations of the laboratory including hiring, supervising, and delegating duties to a team of 6-10 research associates.
  • Trained new research associates on study processes including IRB protocols, study procedures, data analysis, and data presentation.
  • Supervised data collection and IRB processes for all new and ongoing research projects. Scheduled participants for experimental sessions on the online participant management system.
  • Facilitated communication in the laboratory and planned and lead lab meetings.
    		•  2013-2014

    Publications

    Bowden, E. M. & Ng, T. (in press). Remote Associates. In Runco, M. A. & Pritzker, S. R. (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Creativity (3rd ed.).
    Ng, T. & Beeman, M. (in preparation). Insight and Attention.
    Ng, T. & Beeman, M. (in preparation). Selective Attention to Global Stimuli Induces Analytic Problem Solving.

    Conference Presentations

    Ng, T., & Beeman, M. (2018). Attention to the local level of hierarchical stimuli increases creative flexibility. Poster presented at the 59th Annual Meeting of the Psychonomic Society, New Orleans, LA.
    Ogunlana, E., Ng, T. & Beeman, M. (2018). The Effect of Positive and Negative Mood on Divergent Thinking Performance. Poster presented at the 2018 Annual Meeting of the NU Bioscientist Program, Evanston, IL.
    Ng, T., & Beeman, M. (2018). Increasing salience of competitors increases selective visual attention and induces more analytic problem solving. Poster presented at the 4th Meeting of the Society for the Neuroscience of Creativity, Boston, MA.
    Ng, T., & Beeman, M. (2018). Increasing salience of competitors increases selective visual attention and induces more analytic problem solving. Poster presented at the 2018 Cognitive Neuroscience Society Annual Meeting, Boston, MA.
    Ng, T., & Beeman, M. (2017). Selective attention to global stimuli induces analytic problem solving. Oral presentation at the 3rd Meeting of the Society for the Neuroscience of Creativity, San Francisco, CA.
    Ng, T., & Beeman, M. (2017). Selective attention to global stimuli induces analytic problem solving. Poster presented at the 2017 Cognitive Neuroscience Society Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA.
    Ng, T. (2016). Spatially broad but selective attention leads to more analytic problem solving. Oral presentation at the 2016 Annual Northwestern University Cognitive Brain Mapping Group Data Blitz, Chicago, IL.
    Ng, T., & Beeman, M. (2016). Taking in both Global and Local levels increases insight problem solving. Poster presented at the 28th Association for Psychological Science Annual Convention, Chicago, IL.
    Ng, T., Jespersen, R., & Engle-Friedman, M. (2013). Optimal message framing for environmental information. Poster presented at the 2013 Conference of Research Experiences for Undergraduates Student Scholarship, Arlington, VA.
    Ng, T., Jespersen, R., Hutchings, R., & Engle-Friedman, M. (2013). Personality, attitudinal correlates and difference in sustainable charitable behavior. Poster presented at the 2013 annual meeting of the New England Psychological Association, Bridgeport, CT.
    Ng, T., Jespersen, R., & Engle-Friedman, M. (2013). The efficacy of a mindset prime on evoking feelings of nurturance. Poster presented at the 41 st Hunter College Psychology Convention, New York, NY.
    Ng, T., Jespersen, R., & Engle-Friedman, M. (2013). Does nurturing mindset play a role in environmental decision making? Poster presented at the 2013 annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, New York, NY.
    Jespersen, R., Ng, T., & Engle-Friedman, M. (2012). Testing the “motherhood mentality model”: The link between nurturance and environmental concern in women. Poster presented at the 2012 annual meeting of the New England Psychological Association, Worcester, MA.
    Ng, T. (2012). Does priming for nurturance lead to more sustainable behavior? Paper presented at the 2012 Annual Conference for Research Experience for Undergraduates at Baruch College, New York, NY.

    Talks

    Ng, T., & Beeman, M. (2019). Modulating Visual Attention Influences Problem Solving. Oral presentation the 2019 Annual Northwestern University Cognitive Brain Mapping Group Data Blitz, Evanston, IL.
    Ng, T., & Beeman, M. (2017). Selective attention to global stimuli induces analytic problem solving. Oral presentation at the Meeting of Chicago Creativity Group, Chicago, IL.
    Ng, T., & Beeman, M. (2017). Selective attention to global stimuli induces analytic problem solving. Oral presentation at the 3rd Meeting of the Society for the Neuroscience of Creativity, San Francisco, CA.
    Ng, T. (2016). Spatially broad but selective attention leads to more analytic problem solving. Oral presentation at the 2016 Annual Northwestern University Cognitive Brain Mapping Group Data Blitz, Chicago, IL.
    Ng, T. (2015). Visual Aesthetics. Invited guest lecture. Northwestern University, Evanston, IL.
    Ng, T. (2014). Getting In: The pathway to graduate school. Invited panelist for the Research Experience for Undergraduates program at Baruch College. Baruch College, New York, NY.
    Ng, T. (2012). Does priming for nurturance lead to more sustainable behavior? Oral presentation at the 2012 Annual Conference for Research Experience for Undergraduates at Baruch College, New York, NY.

    Skills

    Data Processing & Analysis:
    R, Python (pandas/scipy), Microsoft Excel, MATLAB, GitHub
    Data Presentation & Visualization:
    R (ggplot2, Shiny), Tableau, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Powerpoint, Adobe Illustrator
    Programming:
    Python, MATLAB, JavaScript
    Graphic/Web/Prototype Design:
    HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe XD
    Languages:
    English, Cantonese (Chinese)