The ABOT (Anthropomorphic roBOT) Database

The ABOT Database is a comprehensive collection of real-world anthropomorphic robots that have been created for research or commercial purposes. Currently, our core collection features more than 250 robots. We provide it as a methodological tool for researchers and designers who study the psychological impact of robots' human-like appearance.

Interpersonal Communication Workshops at The Second City

​Having a conversation about conflicting opinions is not easy. We’ve all heard about the benefits of embracing diverse opinions and perspectives, but disagreement can feel very uncomfortable—even stressful—despite our genuine desire to have open and inclusive conversations. How can we identify the personal skills and practices that allow us to navigate those difficult situations?
To accompany my research on conversation and perspective taking, I facilitate a series of communication workshops with experienced improv teachers at the Second City. These workshops will guide participants through a behavioral science-based improvisational exercise designed to cultivate skill in navigating the challenges of disagreement.

The Compliment Hub

Giving compliments is one of the easiest way to create happiness. However, my research has found that people systematically underestimate the positive impact of their compliments on their recipients. In an effort to study the psychology of compliment-giving and compliment-receiving worldwide, I am building a multilingual website that provides people with a platform to send and receive compliments and report their experiences.
Brighten your day—and someone else’s--one compliment at a time!

Other Services

I served on the Program Committee of HRI'19, the premier conference in the field of Human-Robot Interaction.
I co-organized the Social Cognitive Science Brown Bag Talk Series at Brown University during the academic years of 2014–2016. 
I also organized a reading club about random cool topics at Brown.

Social Innovation

I seek innovative ways to apply social psychology to facilitate positive changes. My interests range from leadership training, youth empowerment, social innovation, empathic technology, to diversity and inclusion. I have spoken about my previous explorations at events such as TEDx, the Forum for American-Chinese Exchange at Stanford, the China Education Symposium at Harvard, and the Harvard SEED camp on Citizenship and Social Innovation in China.
The logos below represent some organizations I have collaborated with.