Yinqi's Photo
Yinqi Huang
PhD Candidate in Cognitive Neuroscience
Perception and Action, Control Theory

My overarching goal is to study cognition in naturalistic environments using computational models. I am interested in how the brain generates predictions, detects mismatches, and updates behaviours. To investigate these processes, I use virtual reality (VR), mobile EEG, and motion data.

My current project focuses on the multi-sensory integration during active navigation in virtual reality, supervised by Robert Wilson. Read more about why VR is naturalistic in my paper in Nature Reviews Psychology.

I also study how people learn to control robotic arms during bimanual teleoperation with the da Vinci Surgical System. This project uses optimal control theory to model learning dynamics in motor learning during human–robot interaction.

Outside of the lab, I enjoy hiking and scuba diving.

Research Interests
Machine Learning Cartoon Control theory
Virtual Reality Cartoon Virtual reality
Human Brain Cartoon Multi-sensory integration
Education
Georgia Institute of Technology Logo PhD in Psychology
Georgia Institute of Technology | 2024 - Present
iblum Logo MA in Psychology
University of Arizona | 2022 - 2024
University of Toronto Logo Honours BSc in Psychology; Minor: Biology and Anthropology
University of Toronto | 2016 - 2020
Featured Research Projects
Girl Scientist Icon
Virtual Reality Icon

Multi-sensory Integration in Virtual Reality Navigation

Aug 2022 – Present

Neuropsychologia (2025)

Surgical Robot

Learning Dynamics in Surgical Robot Teleoperation

Jan 2025 – Present

Grants and Awards
University of Arizona Cognitive Science Logo

Outstanding Research Award

Dec 2023

Awarding Body: University of Arizona

SfN Icon

Trainee Professional Development Award

Nov 2023

Awarding Body: Society for Neuroscience

University of Arizona Health Sciences Logo

SensorLab Seed Grant

Jul 2023 - Jun 2024

Funder: University of Arizona

University of Arizona Psychology Logo

Best Presentation Award, Years 1-2

Dec 2022

Awarding Body: University of Arizona

University of Arizona Logo

Research and Project (ReaP) Grant

Nov 2022 - Nov 2023

Funder: University of Arizona

Featured Publications
Spatial Navigation Icon Bayesian cue combination best predicts straight-line distance estimation with translated visual landmarks.
Neuropsychologia (2025)
PAPER
Vishwanath, A., … Huang, Y., … Wilson, R. C.
Virtual Reality Icon Leveraging Virtual Reality to Understand Human Spatial Navigation.
Nature Reviews Psychology (2023)
PAPER
Huang, Y.
Social Interaction Icon Replicability of Two Classic Experiments in Social Psychology: Implicit Association Test and Imagined Contact.
Inkblot: Undergraduate Journal of Psychology (2020)
SLIDES PAPER CODE DATA
Huang, Y.
Teaching
Math Icon Course: Math of the Mind [16 students]
Teaching Assistant
2025 Fall
Methods Icon Course: Research Methods [30 students]
Teaching Assistant
2025 Summer
Researcher Icon Course: Applied Experimental Psychology [40 students]
Lab Instructor
2025 Spring
Human Icon Course: General Psychology [150 students]
Teaching Assistant (Full Course) and Guest Lecturer (Memory)
2024 Fall
Walking Icon Course: Vestibular System [20 students]
Guest Lecturer
2023 Spring
Flask Icon Course: Drugs and the Brain [200 students]
Teaching Assistant (Full Course) and Guest Lecturer (Psychedelics)
2023 Spring
Stats Icon Course: Psychological Measurement and Statistics [200 students]
Teaching Assistant (Full Course) and Guest Lecturer (ANOVA)
2022 Fall
Service and Outreach
Georgia Tech Logo Graduate Representative
Psychology, Georgia Institute of Technology
2024 - 2025
University of Arizona Logo Graduate Representative
Psychology, University of Arizona
2022 - 2024
Membership
SfN Icon Society for Neuroscience
APA Icon American Psychological Association