My work centers around understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of mental disorders (especially for Major Depressive Disorder, Obessesive-Compulsive Disorder), exploring the roles of biological (neurodevelopments), psycho-socio environmental risk factors, and their interplay of these mental disorders across the life span. I am particularly dedicated to translating these findings into real-world clinical applications, aiming to advance early diagnosis, prevention, and precise and personalized treatement, with the goal of delivering the right intervention for the right person at the right time. Besides health analytics with clinical samples, I am also working on several population-based longitudinal cohort studies, with a primary focus on the impacts of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on individual psychological consequences and neurodevelopments. My specific research interests include:

1. Mechanisms underlying the onset and development of depression

I investigate how biological (particularly neurodevelopmental), psychological, and social risk factors—and their interactions within a bio-psycho-social framework—contribute to the onset and progression of mental health problems. This work aims to advance early identification and prevention of depression risk, as well as early diagnosis and personalised clinical treatment of depressive disorders.

2. Effects of childhood adversity on psychological behaviour and neurodevelopment

This line of research focuses on how early-life environments shape emotion regulation, behavioural patterns, and neurodevelopment, and how these processes influence later mental health outcomes. Using longitudinal cohort designs and multimodal data, I examine the long-term effects of childhood adversity and its underlying mechanisms.

3. Psychological and neural mechanisms of digital media use and addictive behaviours

I examine the impact of digital media use—such as social media and short-video platforms—on psychological behaviour and brain function in adolescents and adults. This research explores risk factors, mechanisms of development, and potential intervention pathways associated with internet- and social media–related addictive behaviours.