Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Psychology, Arizona State University, 2023
  • B.S., Psychology, University of Washington, 2017
Academic Appointments
  • Affiliate Faculty, Psychology, Arizona State University, 2024 to present
Professional Honors
  • Samuel Leifheit Service Award, Arizona State University Psychology Department, 2022
  • The Graduate & Professional Student Association Travel Grant, Arizona State University, 2022
Professional Affiliations
  • Human Factors and Ergonomics Society

Dr. Yu is a Cognitive Psychologist who excels in quantitative research methods, statistical modeling, and human subject testing. Her expertise in the coupling of perception and action has generated multiple published journal articles, book chapters, conference posters, and presentations.

Dr. Yu has extensive experience with a variety of psychology experimental techniques, as well as machine learning analyses, survey research, data integration, and psychophysiological measures. Her expertise and research versatility allows for unique and comprehensive insights on projects involving driver behavior, mental load, attention and distraction, visibility, trip-and-fall incidents, and other human factors issues.

Dr. Yu earned her Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from Arizona State University. During her doctoral studies, she investigated linguistic biases stemming from facial movements during verbal communication and conducted machine learning analyses to identify key facial cues in emotional verbal communication. Her research at Arizona State University also included producing virtual and mixed-reality games aimed at enhancing STEM learning. Dr. Yu also completed an internship as a UX Research Scientist at a multinational technology company. During her internship, she measured mental load caused by Augmented Reality headset notifications. She is skilled in scientific writing and communication, experimental design, project management, and collaborating within interdisciplinary teams. She is also fluent in both Mandarin and English.