Haotian Yao joins the Blanke Lab as PhD candidate
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Haotian will explore new technodelic approaches to induce mental states characterized by ego-dissolution and non-duality, using immersive virtual reality, motion platforms, psychedelics, and brain stimulation.
Haotian Yao obtained his Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering from Beihang University (Beijing, China) in 2022. He then pursued a Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering at ETH Zürich (Switzerland), where he specialized in neural systems and virtual reality. During his time in Zurich, his research focused on developing VR systems to study spatial navigation in rodentsn and immersive VR in human experiments to investigate pain perception.
He joins the LNCO at EPFL to pursue a PhD in neuroscience merging engineering, digital and neuroscience approaches. His doctoral research will continue the lab’s approaching using new technologies for the experimental induction of mental states characterized by ego-dissolution, non-duality, and out-of-body experiences. The PhD project will aim at combining psychedelics and technodelics by investigating the effects of psychopharmacological or neuromodulation interventions under controlled experimental conditions provided through immersion in rich VR scenarios with precisely administered robotic and/or vestibular stimulations.
Welcome to the lab Haotian !