This month, we are pleased to introduce Dr. Shuhan Yuan (she/her/hers; s.yuan@assumption.edu), an Assistant Professor of Health Science in the Department of Health and Human Services in the D’Amour College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Assumption University.
What drew you to do work on Asians, Asian American children and youth, or another topic that is important to you now? Who was an important mentor to you in this work, or an influential particular study in the field or in a related field? Any particular advice or tips to someone starting out in the field who is doing work in your area?
My research projects focus on the psychological and social factors influencing physical activity among middle-aged and elderly populations, while also addressing the mental health challenges and daily obstacles faced by minority college students. During my PhD studies, I worked as a graduate research assistant under the mentorship of Dr. Angela Chow on a project examining the daily life experiences and mental health of minority students, with a particular focus on Black and Korean American students. This experience allowed me to engage directly with participants, deepening my understanding of their cultural backgrounds and beliefs. These interactions were both informative and inspiring, leading me to continue my involvement in these projects after graduation. In addition to this work, I developed a strong interest in studying physical activity among the aging population, which became the focus of my thesis. Moving forward, I plan to integrate these research areas by investigating physical activity among minority students, combining insights from both domains. My advice to researchers is to be active listeners and remain open-minded, especially at the beginning of the research process. Engaging with participants and attentively exploring their perspectives may reveal potential directions for future research
A short paragraph describing a particular recent finding, current study, or recent publication and what makes you excited about it.
Recently, I have been involved in a project focusing on Korean American college students, where we have collected survey and interview data from participants. Our current focus is on analyzing data related to parental relationships and experiences of discrimination, with the goal of producing a publication in the near future. I have also co-authored a paper, currently under review, titled “You’re Here for a Reason: An Embedded Mixed-Methods Exploration of the Experiences of Black Women in STEM during COVID-19.” This study employs an embedded mixed-methods approach to examine the experiences of Black undergraduate women in STEM fields. By integrating qualitative and quantitative data, the paper adopts a developmental and intersectional lens to explore how educational institutions can foster environments that support the growth and development of Black women in STEM. Additionally, I am leading another paper titled “Evaluation of a Virtual Peer Mentoring Program during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study from Mentees’ Perspectives.” This paper aims to assess the benefits of a virtual learning program for mentees, utilizing Roddy’s Four-Pillars Model as the theoretical framework to guide the analysis.
Your reflections on your interactions with the Asian Caucus would be highly appreciated. Please feel free to share your thoughts, whether it’s a simple message for the Caucus community or more.
Since 2020, I have served as a member of the Outreach and Communication Subcommittee for the Society for Research in Child Development’s Asian Caucus. In this role, I engage with distinguished members of the Caucus, gathering their insights for our monthly spotlight feature. Additionally, I have coordinated webinars hosted by the subcommittee, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing within our community. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the team and the broader Asian Caucus and have found the monthly spotlight to be a valuable learning experience.
Any upcoming talks or presentations we should know about?
Chow, A., Wang, J., Yuan, S., Funk, C., Lee, J., Xu, X. & Bhuti, T (2025, March). Parents as Sources of Challenges and Protection for Korean American College Students. Poster presentation at the 2025 Meeting of the American Academy of Health Behavior (AAHB), San Diego, CA.
A weblink you prefer to share?
https://www.assumption.edu/people-and-departments/directory/shuhan-yuan-ph-d