Boon Toh
PhD Student

Profile

Biography

• PhD in Psychology – University of York (2022 – present)
• Part-time Teaching - HELP University, Malaysia (2021)
• Research/Administrative Assistant – HELP University, Malaysia (2020-2021)
• MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience – University of York (2019)
• BSc (Hons) Psychology - University of Strathclyde (2018)

Career

I completed my BSc (Hons) in Psychology in 2018 with the University of Strathclyde through a 2+2 twinning programme with International Medical University, Malaysia. Following that, I proceeded into the MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of York from 2018-19 and received an MSc Project Prize. My undergraduate dissertation investigated the relationship between sedentary behaviour and everyday memory problems, where I used physical activity trackers called ActivPAL3 and a neuropsychological test battery (RBMT-3). My Masters dissertation investigated the neural correlates of filtering different types of distraction using fMRI data.

After completing my MSc, I proceeded to work as a research assistant and administrative assistant at HELP University, Malaysia, and later gained the opportunity to teach part-time with the Psychology Department there.

Presently, I am pursuing a PhD in Psychology with University of York.

Research

Overview

The contribution of facilitation and inhibition to distraction in working memory in adults.

Projects

My PhD project focuses on both Selective Attention (SA) and Working Memory (WM), particularly how the facilitation and inhibition of attention relates to WM capacity. Both areas of cognition are often studied independently, yet it is increasingly important to understand how they interact to better address rising issues (e.g. age-related cognitive decline, cognitive impairments) or to enhance these areas in everyday life. To study this, I use behavioural paradigms such as attention priming and visuospatial memory, with their subsequent measures (i.e., reaction times, task accuracy) via computer-based experiments. I have used dual-tasks to observe both SA and WM in the same experiment, as well as implemented manipulations on levels of selection, WM load, and distractor similarity.

Grants

PhD fee-waiver Studentship  

Collaborators

• Dr Fiona McNab (York)
• Prof. Ana Vivas (CITY)

Teaching

Publications

External activities

Memberships

• Graduate member of the British Psychological Society (BPS)