Janet Ng, PhD

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center, Institute of Living (Affiliate)

Research Overview

My primary research interest is in understanding the neurobiological mechanisms that contribute to weight loss success and failure in order to improve interventions for obesity. Currently at the Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center, I analyze functional MRI tasks assessing neural responsivity to gustatory and monetary reward in patients undergoing bariatric surgery at baseline and 1-year follow-up. The major aims of this study are to examine changes in reward and impulsivity that correlate with weight loss. I am also collaborating with Valerie Duffy at UConn Storrs and Helen Swede at UCHC on a gustatory and olfactory test in these same patients to test these responses that correlate with weight loss as part of a CICATS seed grant.

Education

2012 – PhD – Clinical Psychology, University of Oregon
2011 – Psychology Resident – Center for Obesity Research and Education, Temple University Hospital
2008 – MS – Clinical Psychology, University of Oregon
2004 – BA – Psychology, Amherst College, magna cum laude

Recent Publications