Prof. Shulan Hsieh , Cognitive Science, National Cheng Kung University , Taiwan
Prof. Shulan Hsieh is a distinguished Chair Professor at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), Taiwan, with a remarkable career in cognitive neuroscience and psychology. She earned her D.Phil. in Experimental Psychology from the University of Oxford in 1993. She began her academic journey at National Chung Cheng University, becoming Full Professor by 1999 and later serving as Department Chair and Dean (2003–2009). she joined NCKU, where she held key academic roles in the Institute of Allied Health Sciences, Department of Psychology, and Department of Public Health. She also served as Director of the Institute of Allied Health Sciences (2010–2013) and Chair of the Department of Psychology (2015–2018). Prof. Hsieh has made major contributions to understanding cognitive flexibility, aging, and brain resilience. Her editorial leadership includes roles as Editor-in-Chief and Associate Editor in leading journals. With over 100 publications, she continues to lead interdisciplinary research and international collaborations.
Professional Profile:
Orcid
Scopus
Education 🎓
Prof. Shulan Hsieh earned her D.Phil. in Experimental Psychology from the University of Oxford in 1993, where she developed a strong foundation in cognitive science and behavioral neuroscience. Her doctoral training provided expertise in experimental design, neuropsychological testing, and attentional processes. Prior to that, she completed undergraduate and postgraduate education in psychology in Taiwan, establishing her interest in the intersection of cognitive performance and neural mechanisms. This solid academic training enabled her to develop rigorous empirical approaches and establish herself early as a scholar in cognitive psychology. Her Oxford education also laid the groundwork for her international collaborations and editorial roles, and her ability to build comprehensive cross-cultural research paradigms. Her educational path reflects a blend of Western scientific rigor and Eastern academic dedication, supporting her mission to enhance brain health and resilience through research, mentoring, and interdisciplinary training in Taiwan and globally.
Experience 💼
Prof. Hsieh began her academic career at National Chung Cheng University, Taiwan, where she became Full Professor in 1999. She served as Department Chair and Dean (2003–2009), significantly influencing curriculum and faculty development. In 2009, she transitioned to National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), taking on roles in the Institute of Allied Health Sciences, Department of Psychology, and Department of Public Health. She served as Director of the Institute of Allied Health Sciences (2010–2013) and later as Chair of the Department of Psychology (2015–2018). Her leadership across departments reflects her interdisciplinary strengths in cognitive science, public health, and psychology. She has supervised numerous Ph.D. and graduate students, led national research initiatives, and managed international collaborations with cognitive scientists in Europe and Israel. With decades of service, she remains an active figure in Taiwan’s academic and research policy landscape, contributing significantly to the global cognitive neuroscience community.
Awards and Honors 🏆
Prof. Shulan Hsieh has received widespread recognition for her scientific contributions and academic leadership. She is a Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science (APS) since 2012, and a Fellow of the Psychonomic Society since 1998—both honors reserved for researchers with outstanding contributions to psychological science. She is a Member of the American Psychological Association (APA) since 2021 and a Member of the Society for Neuroscience (SFN) since 2018, reflecting her active involvement in global neuroscience and psychology communities. She is also a Member of the Association for the Scientific Study of Consciousness since 2008. These memberships underscore her international reputation and sustained contributions to the scientific study of cognition, consciousness, and aging. Through her editorial roles and participation in research councils and academic reviews, she has significantly influenced research funding, policy, and graduate education. Her work continues to shape the future of cognitive neuroscience in Asia and beyond.
Research Focus 🔬
Prof. Hsieh’s research centers on cognitive science, brain resilience, and aging across the adult lifespan. She explores how executive functions, particularly task-switching and cognitive flexibility, change with age, and how these changes relate to brain organization, especially in the prefrontal cortex. Using both behavioral paradigms and neuroimaging techniques, she investigates mechanisms underlying age-related cognitive decline and strategies for enhancing brain resilience. She leads several multi-year projects funded by Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), including longitudinal studies profiling cognitive resilience and the development of task-switching paradigms validated across cultures. Her interdisciplinary approach spans psychology, neuroscience, public health, and allied health sciences. She collaborates internationally to translate findings into tools for cognitive health assessment and intervention. Her work contributes to a deeper understanding of healthy aging and informs both clinical applications and educational practices for lifelong cognitive enhancement.
Publications 📚
1. Age-related Electrophysical Correlates of Cross-modal Attention Switching
2. Alternation of Psychological Resilience May Moderate Mentalization Toward Mental Health Conditions from Macro- and Microstructure Aspects
3. Age Prediction Using Resting-State Functional MRI
4. Age Differences in the Functional Organization of the Prefrontal Cortex: Analyses of Competing Hypotheses
5. The Mediating Role of Brain Structural Imaging Markers in Connecting Adverse Childhood Experiences and Psychological Resilience
6. DNA Methylation Signature Aberration as Potential Biomarkers in Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia: Constructing a Methylation Risk Score Using a Machine Learning Method
7. Age Differences of the Hierarchical Cognitive Control and the Frontal Rostro–Caudal Functional Brain Activation
8. Age-related Post-error Slowing and Stimulus Repetition Effect in Motor Inhibition During a Stop-signal Task
9. Adverse Childhood Experiences Are Associated with Reduced Psychological Resilience in Youth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
10. Brain Structural-Behavioral Correlates Underlying Grooved Pegboard Test Performance Across Lifespan