Yunsu Shin

“ Hello! My name is Yunsu Shin, and I am an undergraduate student at the University of Rochester majoring in psychology with minors in brain and cognitive science and American Sign Language. I am passionate about understanding schizophrenia and improving social functioning for those affected. My goal is to enhance the quality of life for individuals with schizophrenia through early intervention for adolescents experiencing psychotic-like experiences (PLE). Currently, I am working on a project titled "Robust Averaging of Faces and Delusion Proneness in At-Risk Populations for Psychosis", focusing on early psychosis intervention and prevention. This research will significantly improve outcomes for at-risk individuals. “

Contact Info

📞 Phone
(585) 410-8971

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Research Highlights

  • An image of The Cultural Center.

    - Investigated how paranoia and psychosis-proneness affect robust averaging of facial expressions.

    - Examined the broader social implications, such as loneliness and perceived social support, related to altered robust averaging.

    - Aimed to uncover underlying mechanisms in psychosis-proneness that could inform interventions to improve social outcomes for affected individuals.

    University of Rochester
    Rochester, NY

    Aug. 2024- May 2025

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  • An image of Greenspacing.

    - Evaluated Baby2Home (B2H), a digital health intervention that combines postpartum education with mental health care using a collaborative care model (CCM) to improve healthcare utilization and patient-reported outcomes.

    - Focused on reducing disparities in postpartum care across race, ethnicity, and income through targeted interventions.

    - Conducted a scoping review of postpartum depression online interventions to identify best practices and areas for improvement in supporting mental health outcomes for new parents.

    Northwestern University - Feinberg School of Medicine,

    Evanston, IL

    June, 2024 - Aug. 2024

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  • An image of The Float House

    - Explored the coping mechanisms, social demands, and anxiety of adults diagnosed with ASD in adulthood.

    - Highlighted social camouflaging as a prominent strategy used by adults with ASD to navigate social interactions.

    - Emphasized the importance of personalized support strategies and societal acceptance to reduce the psychological toll of camouflaging and enhance the mental health of adults with ASD.

    University of Rochester

    Rochester, NY

    Jan. 2024 - May 2025

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  • - Exploring whether people see their social identities (e.g., race, gender, and socioeconomic status) as helping them or adding more stress to their lives


    - Understanding how adolescents regulate stress and empowering parents to provide healthy, supportive guidance during stressful performance moments.


    - Assessing how the concurrent or sequential use of multiple approaches to regulate emotions impacts stress reactivity.

    University of Rochester

    Rochester, NY

    Sept. 2023 – Present

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Explore

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia (Mix & Match Program)

Copenhagen/ Denmark
& Stockholm/ Sweden

May 2023 - Aug. 2023

  • Social Brain: Neuropsychology of Social Behaviors

    Human beings are inherently social creatures, yet relatively little attention has been paid to social influences on the brain. The primary goal of this course will be to begin to explore the neural basis of social interaction, and the neural basis of beliefs about our social world.  Contributions from social cognitive neuroscience and social psychology will be addressed and emphasis will be placed on analysis of primary literature investigating social, environmental, and cultural influences on human brain processes.  

  • Psychology of Violence and Hate

    This course explores radicalization processes by examining the psychological factors of motivation, ideology, and identity, alongside the risk factors that contribute to violent extremism. It covers both radicalization and deradicalization, with a focus on intervention and prevention strategies developed in Sweden, and includes case studies from right-wing and Islamic extremism. The course also offers students practical insights from frontline practitioners.

Teaching Assistant - PSYC 101: Introduction of Psychology

Christopher P. Niemiec, Ph.D.

University of Rochester

Rochester, NY

Aug. 2024 - Dec. 2024

As a Teaching Assistant for PSYC 101, I led small group discussions on seven different topics over two weeks, helping students engage with key psychological ideas. I also created and taught two mini-courses, each with three classes. One focused on the social discrimination and bias people with schizophrenia face, highlighting the real facts about its symptoms. The other covered communication in Deaf culture and its connection to psychology, emphasizing the importance of cultural understanding in mental health care.

The Human Library Organization

Member

Copenhagen, Denmark / Rochester, NY

May 2023 - Present

  • The Human Library Organization, an international non-profit in Copenhagen, Denmark, is dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion through structured, personal dialogues. With operations in over 85 countries, the organization provides a platform where individuals, referred to as "books," share their lived experiences with conditions such as schizophrenia, autism, and histories of sexual abuse.

  • As a participant in this initiative, I have engaged with these individuals and observed how sharing their narratives not only mitigates their psychological stress but also challenges entrenched societal biases. These dialogues are instrumental in fostering a deeper understanding of complex issues and contribute to creating more inclusive and empathetic communities. Through this experience, I have gained valuable insights into the transformative power of storytelling in reducing stigma and promoting social cohesion.

Intern - Deaf Wellness Center (DWC)

University of Rochester Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry - Deaf Wellness Center (DWC)

Rochester, NY

Jan. 2024 – Present

  • Assisted in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and social skills sessions, helping deaf and hard-of-hearing patients improve social interactions and communication skills.

  • Participated in training programs for clinicians and interpreters specializing in services for deaf people with mental illnesses.

Academic Membership

PSI CHI - honors

Marie-Joelle Estrada, Ph.D.

University of Rochester
Rochester, NY
April. 2024 - Present

  • As a member of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, I was recognized for my academic excellence in psychology at the University of Rochester. Psi Chi is a prestigious organization that offers lifelong benefits, including access to research grants, networking opportunities, and resources to support academic and professional growth. My membership in Psi Chi reflects my commitment to advancing my knowledge and contributing to the field of psychology.

  • In addition to my membership, I actively participated in the IGNITE 2024 conference, a research training event funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). This conference gave me critical skills in high-quality research practices and introduced me to cutting-edge open science initiatives. Through workshops and collaborative sessions, I gained valuable insights into cross-cultural research projects and strategies for reducing barriers to student research involvement, further preparing me for a successful career in psychological research.

Society for Research in Psychopathology (SRP)

Undergraduate Member

Participating in the SRP Annual Meeting, October 17-20, 2024, @ Montreal

July 2024 - Present

  • An undergraduate member of the Society for Research in Psychopathology (SRP) will attend the annual conference, engaging with leading researchers to explore and discuss advancements in psychopathology and clinical science.