TEAM LEADER AND PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Name:
Dr. CAO Y. Sally
​
Qualification:
PhD in Psychology, University of Queensland
Master of Clinical Psychology, University of Queensland (Part time study)
Master of Neuroscience, Queensland Brain Institute, University of
Queensland
Bachelor of Social Sciences in Psychology (first class honours), City
University of Hong Kong
​
Professional Accreditations:
Registered Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation
Agency (AHPRA)
Accredited provider of Triple P (Positive Parenting Program)
​
Position:
Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work and Social Administration,
The University of Hong Kong (HKU)
​
Research interest:
-
Social cognition (empathy, theory of mind)
-
Childhood disorders (e.g., autism, anxiety in children)
-
Effect of aging
Biography:
​Dr Cao’s research is focuses on social cognition (i.e., the ability to understand and relate to other people’s thoughts and emotions) and social affect related to stereotypes (e.g., racism, ageism). These are relevant to both healthy populations and people with different mental health problems (e.g., schizophrenia, depression, anxiety). She uses a combination of behavioural tasks (e.g., computer-based games, questionnaires) and brain-imaging techniques (e.g., fMRI) to better understand social cognition and social affect across the lifespan. Dr Cao worked as a practising psychologist at a community health clinic and a researcher at an NGO in Australia, before returning to Hong Kong to work in academia. Her work experience across different settings has inspired her to conduct basic research with the potential of improving practice in the future. She is also interested in training and teaching students to develop a curious, scientist mindset when serving clients in clinical practice.
​
Selective publications within 5 years:
1. Cao, Y., Siu, J. Y-m, Shek, D. T. L., & Shum, D. H. K. (2022). COVID-19 one year on: Identification of at-risk groups for psychological trauma and poor health-protective behaviour using a telephone survey. BMC Psychiatry, 22, 252. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-022-03904-4
2. Lohan, A., Cao, Y., Petch, J., Murray, J., & Howe, E. (2021). Does relationship counselling for one work? An effectiveness study of routine relationship counselling services where only one individual attends. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 42, 320-335. https://doi.org/10.1002/anzf.1458
3. Canty, A. L., Cao, Y., Neumann, D., & Shum, D. H. K. (2021). The functional significance of cognitive empathy and theory of mind in early and chronic schizophrenia. Psychiatry Research, 299, 113852. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2021.113852
4. Cao, Y., Yusri, N. M., Powell, T., & Cunnington, R. (2019). Neural and behavioral markers of observed pain of older adults. Neuropsychologia, 131, 84-90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2019.04.012
5. Waters, A. M., Cao, Y., Kershaw, R., Kerbler, G. M., Shum, D. H. K., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Craske, M. G., Bradley, B. P., Mogg, K., Pine, D. S., & Cunnington, R. (2018). Changes in neural activation underlying attention processing of emotional stimuli following treatment with positive search training in anxious children. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 55, 22-30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2018.02.004
​
Selective publications beyond 5 years:
1. Cao, Y., Dingle, G., Chan, G. C. K., & Cunnington, R. (2017). Low mood leads to increased empathic distress at seeing others’ pain. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 2024. 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02024
2. Cao, Y., Contreras-Huerta, L. S., McFadyen, J. J., & Cunnington, R. (2015). Racial bias in neural response to others’ pain is reduced with other-race contact. Cortex, 70, 68-78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cortex.2015.02.010
3. Yan, C., Cao, Y., Zhang, Y., Song, L., Cheung, E. F. C., & Chan, R. C. K. (2012). Trait and state positive emotional experience in schizophrenia: A meta-analysis. PLOS ONE, 7, e40672. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0040672
4. Yan, C., Liu, W., Cao, Y., & Chan, R. C. K. (2011). Self-reported pleasure experience and motivation in individuals with schizotypal personality disorders proneness. East Asian Arch Psychiatry, 21, 115-122.
5. Zong, J., Cao, X., Cao, Y., Shi, Y., Wang, Y., Yan, C., Abela, J. R. Z., Gan, Y., Gong, Q., & Chan, R. C. K. (2010). Coping flexibility in college students with depressive symptoms. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 8, 66. https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7525-8-66
RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
Name:
Kwan Shiu Yin Gerald
​
Qualification:
-
MAP (Distinction), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
-
BSSc (Hons) Psychology (1st Class Honours), The Open University of Hong Kong
​
Position:
Research Assistant
​
Research interest:
-
Ageism
-
Active Aging
Name:
Low Chi Wing Debbie​
​
Qualification:
-
MSc Theory and Practice in Clinical Psychology, The University of Reading
-
BSSc (Hons) Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
​
Position:
Research Assistant
​
Research interest:
-
Psychopathology
-
Mental well-being among children and adolescents
-
Stigma reduction
STUDENTS
Primary Supervisee
Name:
Cheung Vanessa Hoi Mei​
​
Qualification:
-
MSSc in Applied Psychology, City University of Hong Kong
-
BSSc (Hons) Psychology, Dean's Honors List (2017), Caritas Institute of Higher Education
​
Position:
PhD Student
​
Research interest:
-
Social capital
-
Suicide
-
Schizophrenia spectrum disorder
-
Online gaming
Co-Supervisee
Name:
Zita Tse Cho Kwan
​
Qualification:
BSSc (Hons) in Psychology, Hong Kong Shue Yan University
​
Position:
PhD Student
​
Research interest:
My current research focuses on investigating the brain mechanism of cognitive training and rehabilitation. I am especially interested in understanding executive functions training, memory interventions, the aging population, cognitive neuroscience, and social cognition
Name:
Li Duo
​
Qualification:
-
BSc in Psychology, Sun Yat-Sen University
-
MSc in Psychology, Sun Yat-Sen University
​
Position:
PhD Student
​
Research interest:
-
Social cognition in older adults
-
Cognitive neuroscience of human language
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Attention and perception
Name:
Winnie Wing Yee So
​
Qualification:
-
MAP, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
-
BSSc (Upper Second Class Hons) Psychology, Hong Kong Shue Yan University
​
Position:
PhD Student
​
Research interest:
-
Social Cognition in Ageing
-
Theory of Mind
-
Cognitive Neuroscience
Name:
Cheung Wing Kai
​
Qualification:
Bachelor of Social Work, The University of Hong Kong
​
Position:
MPhil Student
​
Research interest:
-
Bereavement
-
Stigma and Self-stigma
Name:
Leung Ming Shin Jade
​
Qualification:
-
Advance Certificate in Social Work with Children (Distinction), The Chinese University of Hong Kong
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MSSc in Social Work (The Dean’s list 2016-17), The Chinese University of Hong Kong
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BSc in Gerontology (First class - The Dean’s list 2014-15), The Chinese University of Hong Kong
​
Position:
PhD Student
​
Research interest:
-
Dying, death and bereavement
-
Informal caregiver
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Coping
Name:
Dannuo Wei
​
Qualification:
-
PhD candidate, Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong
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Master of Management, Department of Social Medicine and Health Service Management, Sun Yat-Sen University
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Bachelor of Science, School of Public Health, Xiamen University
​
Position:
PhD candidate
​
Research interest:
-
Celebrity worship, problematic internet use and mental health of Chinese emerging adults
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Mental health and violence of Chinese sexual minority