Combining Computing and Psychology: A Q&A with Elliot Huang
Double majoring in computer science (CS) and psychology offered Elliot Huang complementary perspectives on how people think, solve problems, and make decisions. The 2026 Georgia Tech graduate combined the two fields through his coursework and research in computational cognitive neuroscience.
As he prepares to continue that work as a postbaccalaureate researcher at Dartmouth College, Huang reflects on why he chose to double major and how the fields inform one another.
What drew you to study computing?
I could combine my everyday laptop and logic, with no additional material costs, to build something (an app, robot, algorithm, etc.) that solves a real human problem.
What inspired you to pursue psychology as a second major?
I've always been fascinated with logic and how humans think. A few friends were facing mental health issues, which made me want to understand how the mind works so I could better support them.
What influenced you to double major?
I decided the summer after my sophomore year. There were several psychology courses I wanted to take, and I wanted a formal structure. I originally planned to complete two psychology certifications but found them too restrictive in course options. I realized that the second major required only one or two additional classes and would give me much greater flexibility to choose based on my specific interests.
How do your two majors complement each other?
At first glance, they seem completely different, but they complement each other deeply. Computer science is essentially human logic executed very quickly, so understanding how the mind generates rational thought can improve CS theory and algorithm design. Conversely, CS thinking–variables, functions, procedures–can be used to represent much of what the mind does, both consciously and unconsciously.
Can you share a specific project, class, or experience where you’ve combined both fields?
My research with Dr. Bob Wilson sits at the intersection of both fields, in a domain called computational cognitive neuroscience. At a high level, I develop mathematical models that represent how humans use information to make decisions. My goal is to inform these models with real human behavioral data, implement them computationally, and evaluate their performance. Strong alignment suggests the model captures something genuine about how humans think.
What challenges have you faced balancing two majors?
The greater course load has not been too difficult. I took a psychology class one summer so I could still graduate in four years. Beyond that, I fulfilled a substantial portion of both degrees through research credit I was already pursuing, which made the overall load much more manageable.
How do you plan on using your double major?
I will be working as a postbaccalaureate researcher with Dr. John Murray at Dartmouth College while applying to MD/PhD programs. The work is a natural integration of both majors. Much of what I will be doing involves mediating between brain activity, human behavior, and artificial neural networks.
What advice would you give to students considering a computing-related double major?
Don't double major just to boost your resume. A minor will likely get you most of the way there. Double major because you are genuinely interested in learning about another field.
Is there anything unexpected you’ve gained from combining computing with another field?
There is a certain type of person and way of thinking that is drawn to CS, so the people I know in the major are not necessarily representative of the broader population at GT. Psychology students see the world very differently. Combining fields has exposed me to people with much more diverse perspectives than I would have encountered otherwise.
