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Dr Ta-Wei Guu
Name:
Dr Ta-Wei Guu
Job title:
Consultant psychiatrist and assistant professor
Place of work/study:
China Medical University (CMU) Taiwan, and CMU Beigang Hospital
Area of Research:
Dementia, depression, sleep, wearable technology, photobiomodulation
How is your work funded:
My current projects are mainly funded by the Taiwanese National Health Research Institute (NHRI) and the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW)
Tell us a little about yourself:
I am a Taiwanese psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist. I obtained my medical degree (equivalent to an MBBS) in Taiwan in 2011 and completed my PhD at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, in 2024. My research focuses on the use of wearable technologies to characterise sleep, circadian rhythms, and psychiatric symptoms in both the general adult population and people living with dementia. I am particularly interested in understanding how environmental and lifestyle factors, including light exposure, physical activity, and diet, influence mood, sleep, and cognitive function across the lifespan. I currently serve as an Assistant Professor at China Medical University (CMU) in Taiwan, and as a Consultant Psychiatrist and Sleep Medicine Specialist at CMU Beigang Hospital, Taiwan. Outside academia and clinical practice, I enjoy swimming and cycling with my family and have practised Zen meditation for more than 30 years.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
As a cycling lover, I try to bring my foldable bike wherever I go. The same Giant bike has been with me for nearly 20 years (since I was doing my clerkship in medical school), which really saves me a lot of money (especially when I was doing my PhD in London), and helps me stay fit.
Why did you choose to work in dementia?
As a psychiatrist, I like to talk to elderly people more than to general adults and to children. Also I know my parents are getting old and I really wish I can support them in their later life.
What single piece of advice would you give to an early-career researcher?
Try to find resources as hard as possible, and try to secure the resources even harder.
What book are you reading right now? Would you recommend it?
I am reading Die Kunst über Geld nachzudenken, it’s highly recommended.
Favourite film of all time?
Definitely The Shawshank Redemption.
Favourite ways to unplug and unwind?
Swimming and cycling, especially with my children.
What’s the best decision you ever made?
Decided to major in medicine and not dentistry.
What’s your favourite vacation spot?
Taiwan (my home country).
Do you collect anything?
No
