Dr. LAM, Sin-lok Emily 
Assistant Professor
Research Interests
· Translational & Clinical Neuroscience: Examining the neural mechanisms of cognition, emotion, and neurodegeneration using multimodal neuroimaging (fMRI and MRS).
· Cognitive Trajectories & Aging: Identifying environmental, physiological, and neural predictors of brain health across the lifespan.
· Intervention Efficacy: Evaluating evidence-based psychological approaches to build cognitive resilience and improve mental health outcomes.
Clinical Interests
· Neuropsychological Assessment & Rehabilitation: Evaluating cognitive, executive, and emotional functioning to design personalized intervention strategies.
· Adult Mood & Anxiety Disorders: Utilizing evidence-based cognitive-behavioral techniques to manage stress, anxiety, and affective conditions.
· Community Mental Health: Expanding local outreach to implement accessible, evidence-informed preventive strategies and support long-term well-being.
PhD in Neuropsychology, The University of Hong Konf
MSocSc in Applied Psychology, The City University of Hong Kong
BSc (Hons) in Occupatinoal Therapy, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Registered Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapist Board
Specialty Group in Mental Health, The Hong Kong Occupational Therapy Association
1. Sin ELL, KWM Siu, CHY Wong, YT Shih (under review) From Analytic to Aesthetics Mapping the Dual Pathways of Real-World Creative Thinking
2. Gu JT, Kok LHJ, Kung JTY, Liang Shera, Gonzalez PC, Toh SFM, Sin ELL, Fong KNK (2025) User experiences of patients with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome receiving occupational therapy telerehabilitation in Hong Kong. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 19:1551631
3. Sin ELL, Wong CHY, Chau BKH, Rauterberg M, Siu KWM, Shih Y-T. (2024) Understanding the Changes in Brain Activation When Viewing Products with Differences in Attractiveness. Neurology International. 16(5):918-932.
4. Li S, Li X, Tan DGH, Sin ELL, Yasuhiro K, Ngai SPC, He J, Lau BWM (under review) Efficacy of virtual reality for anxiety and pain in children in treatment: A systematic review and meta-analysis
5. Shih YT, Wang L, Wong CHY, Sin ELL, Rauterberg M, Yuan Z, Chang L (2024). The effects of distancing design collaboration necessitated by COVID-19 on brain synchrony in teams compared to co-located design collaboration: A preliminary study. Brain Sciences, 14(1)
6. Sin ELL, Shao R, Lee TMC (2021). The executive control correlate of loneliness in healthy older people. Aging and Mental Health, 25:1224
7. Sin ELL, Shao R, Geng XJ, Cho V, Lee TMC (2018). The neuroanatomical basis of two subcomponents of rumination: A VBM study. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience,12:324.
8. Sin ELL, Liu HL, Lee SH, Huang CM, Wai YY, Chen YL, Chan CCH, Lin C, Lee TMC (2018). The relationships between brain structural changes and perceived loneliness in older adults suffering from late-life depression. The International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 33: 606-612
9. Cheung MSL, Sin ELL, Lam M, Lee TMC (2018). The relationship between rumination and autobiographical memory specificity in people with depression. Neuropsychiatry. (co-first authorship)
11. Sin ELL, Chow CN, Cheung RTH. (2015). Relationship between Personal Psychological Capitals, Stress Level and Performance in Marathon Runners. Hong Kong Physiotherapy Journal, 33:67-72
1. How the Brain Sees Diversity Ads: fMRI Insights into Social Desirability and Implicit Preference in Audience Reception (June 2026) 24th International Conference on Research in Advertising
2. The Relationship between Executive Control Functioning and Perceived Loneliness in Healthy Ageing Population (Jun 2020). 20th Annual Research Postgraduate Conference
3. Perceived Loneliness and Brain Structural Changes in Older Adults with Late-life Depression (Mar 2020). The Asian Conference on Psychology & the Behavioral Sciences (ACP 2020)
4. The neuroanatomical basis of two subcomponents of rumination: A VBM study (Nov 2018). The 11th Pan Pacific Conference on Rehabilitation
Poster Presentation
5. Sin E.L.L., Geng X.J., Cho V., Lee T.M.C. (June 2017). Regional Brain Correlates with Rumination and Autobiographical Memory. Organization of Human Brain Mapping 2017
6. Zhang J.H., Ho K.Y., Li K.K., Mark Y.P., Wu H.M., Sin E.L.L.,, Chan Z.Y.S., Au I.P.H., An W.W., Cheung R.T.H. (May 2017) A highly feasible exercise program to promote executive functions in young adults, International Symposium Physical Activity & Fitness of the Young Generation in Asia-Pacific (Bronze Award)
COUN303 Contextual Influences on Mental Health Service Delivery
PSY100 Introductory Psychology (for Psychology & Forensic Major)
PSY216 Psychology of Aging**
PSY303 Health Psychology **
PSY360 Psychology of Relationships: Love, intimacy and self-regulation
PSY371 Research Project I
PSY372 Research Project II
PSY401 Research Thesis I/PSY411 Honours Research Project I
PSY507 Cognitive Psychology
MPhil/PhD supervision opens for enquiry
Email:
By Appointment