Bo Shen Ph.D.

Research Scientist

New York University, Grossman School of Medicine, Glimcher lab

Google Scholar page

_{Contact at bo.shen_at_nyu.edu}

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Research Interests

• Neural circuit computations of decision-making¹,²,³,⁴

  Understanding how cognition arises from the network of billions of neurons. Neuromorphic computation is more energy-efficient than the cutting-edge artificial networks in theory and awaits breakthroughs together with hardware neuromorphic chips.

• Neural coding of decision-making value¹,⁵,²,⁶

  Answering how your brain processes what you like and hate and choose between them to make you a better life. Now, we study this for applications facing AI robotics.

• Social decision-making²,⁷,⁸,⁹

  Understanding how humans pick their best ways of social interactions with others.

CV in Brief

• 2022 to now - Research Scientist, New York University

  Researcher in computational neuroscience, NYU Langone School of Medicine, with Paul Glimcher PhD, Kenway Louie MD, PhD, John Rinzel PhD, and Richard Tsien PhD

• 2019 to 2022 - Postdoc, New York University

  Neural circuit computation of decision-making, NYU Langone School of Medicine, mentored by Paul Glimcher PhD and Kenway Louie MD PhD

• 2012 to 2018 - PhD in Psychology, Peking University

  Human brain imaging and social decision-making, School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, mentored by Xiaolin Zhou PhD and Jian Li PhD

• 2008 to 2012 - Bachelor’s in Physics, Shanghai Jiaotong University

  Department of Physics, Shanghai Jiaotong University, mentored by Wenjun Ying PhD and David Cai PhD

Tag me with: #NYU #PKU #SJTU #Neuroeconomics #Decision-making #Computational #Mouse-Tracking #Guilt, #fMRI, #tDCS, #Delay-discounting

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Selected publications

• Shen, B., Nguyen, D., Wilson, J., Glimcher, P. W., & Louie, K. (2025). Early versus late noise differentially enhances or degrades context-dependent choice. Nature communications, 16(1), 3828.
• Shen, B., Louie, K., & Glimcher, P. (2023). Flexible control of representational dynamics in a disinhibition-based model of decision-making. Elife, 12, e82426.
• Shen, B., Chen, Y., He, Z., Li, W., Yu, H., & Zhou, X. (2023). The competition dynamics of approach and avoidance motivations following interpersonal transgression. PNAS, 120(40), e2302484120.
• Shen, B., Yin, Y., Wang, J., Zhou, X., McClure, S. M., & Li, J. (2016). High-definition tDCS alters impulsivity in a baseline-dependent manner. NeuroImage, 143, 343-352.

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Personal Highlights

• Outside of the lab, I love #Photography, #Hiking, #Camping.

• Bo & Jia married in New York, September 2024

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::: References :::

1. Shen, B., Nguyen, D., Wilson, J., Glimcher, P. W., & Louie, K. (2025). Early versus late noise differentially enhances or degrades context-dependent choice. Nature communications, 16(1), 3828. ↩ ↩²

2. Shen, B., Chen, Y., He, Z., Li, W., Yu, H., & Zhou, X. (2023). The competition dynamics of approach and avoidance motivations following interpersonal transgression. PNAS, 120(40), e2302484120. ↩ ↩² ↩³

3. Shen, B., Louie, K., & Glimcher, P. W. (2023). Flexible control of representational dynamics in a disinhibition-based model of decision making. Elife, 12, e82426. ↩

4. Song, S. C., Shen, B., Machold, R., Rudy, B., Glimcher, P. W., Louie, K., & Froemke, R. C. (2022). Input-specific inhibitory plasticity improves decision accuracy under noise. bioRxiv, 2022-05. ↩

5. Shen, B., Yin, Y., Wang, J., Zhou, X., McClure, S. M., & Li, J. (2016). High-definition tDCS alters impulsivity in a baseline-dependent manner. NeuroImage, 143, 343-352. ↩

6. Wu, Y., Shen, B., Liao, J., Li, Y., Zilioli, S., & Li, H. (2020). Single dose testosterone administration increases impulsivity in the intertemporal choice task among healthy males. Hormones and Behavior, 118, 104634. ↩

7. Yu, H., Gao, X., Shen, B., Hu, Y., & Zhou, X. (2024). A levels-of-analysis framework for studying social emotions. Nature Reviews Psychology, 1-16. ↩

8. Wu, Y., Yu, H., Shen, B., Yu, R., Zhou, Z., Zhang, G., & Zhou, X. (2014). Neural basis of increased costly norm enforcement under adversity. Social cognitive and affective neuroscience, nst187. ↩

9. Yu, H., Cai, Q., Shen, B., Gao, X., & Zhou, X. (2017). Neural substrates and social consequences of interpersonal gratitude: Intention matters. Emotion, 17(4), 589. ↩