Research

Scientific approach

Our research integrates neuroscience, positive psychology, psychiatry, computer science, design thinking, and management science to unlock the science of team flourishing and excellence. We uncover the barriers that hinder collaboration and the drivers that enable trust, resilience, and high-performance teamwork.

Our research themes:

Individual social neurocognition: We study how upbringing, adversity, and societal norms shape brain function, particularly in emotional reactivity (social triggers), cognition (how we perceive ourselves and others), and behavior—revealing their impact on teamwork and resilience.
Interventions for individual performance: We design neuroscience-backed interventions to enhance self-awareness, emotional regulation, and cognitive flexibility, empowering individuals to build trust, adapt to challenges, and collaborate with purpose and efficiency.
Inter-brain dynamics: Using high-density fNIRS hyperscanning, we capture multi-person neural activity to examine how neural alignment emerges in teams, exploring the roles of trust, communication, and task complexity in collaboration.
Team environment & performance: We investigate how task structure (negotiation, problem-solving, brainstorming, conflict resolution), interaction modality (in-person, virtual, hybrid), and group composition shape team effectiveness, collaboration dynamics, and collective intelligence.
Interventions for high-performance teams: We develop neuroscience-informed interventions to strengthen team trust, cohesion, and purpose-driven innovation.
Computational advances: We create advanced analytical techniques and machine learning models to analyze neuroimaging, behavioral, and contextual data, identifying neural and behavioral markers of teamwork.

By combining high-density fNIRS neuroimaging with advanced computational models, we uncover the neural mechanisms of teamwork, transforming how teams operate, lead, and innovate with precision and depth.

Learn more about our ongoing projects

To build thriving teams, we must understand and regulate the emotional triggers that shape our interactions. Using single-brain fNIRS, we identify neural biomarkers of emotional reactivity, revealing how individuals process and regulate social triggers. This research informs strategies to foster emotional resilience, improving collaboration and team dynamics.

True growth begins with self-acceptance, yet self-criticism can undermine both well-being and performance, often projecting onto others. We use single-brain fNIRS to investigate the neural mechanisms of self-talk, exploring how self-criticism and self-compassion shape emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses. By understanding these processes, we develop interventions that promote self-awareness, confidence, and constructive interactions.

In moments of conflict, we seek to respond with strength and integrity—grounded, value-aligned, and firm in our boundaries. Using fNIRS in both single-brain and hyperscanning modes, we develop neuroscience-based communication strategies that help professionals stay resilient and perform at their best during workplace challenges. The Compassionate Accountability approach equips women with practical tools to navigate conflicts constructively while affirming their value, abilities, and responsibility—empowering them to lead with confidence.

Feedback is essential for growth, yet it can feel overwhelming, triggering self-doubt and defensiveness. Using fNIRS hyperscanning, we design communication tools that promote innate human value, enabling individuals to receive feedback constructively while fostering trust and psychological safety. This research supports a cultural shift toward feedback that strengthens both individual and team performance.

Failure is an inevitable step toward success, yet unresolved frustration can erode trust and progress. By examining inter-brain mechanisms with fNIRS hyperscanning, we uncover the neural dynamics of team failure and develop interventions that enhance adaptability and recovery. Our findings help teams transform setbacks into learning opportunities, fostering resilience and long-term collaboration.

To unlock deeper insights into human connection, we must refine how we measure the brain in action. We develop techniques to integrate fNIRS and fMRI data, enhancing signal accuracy and interpretability. These advancements allow us to push the boundaries of neuroscience, providing richer, real-world insights into teamwork and leadership.