This month, we are pleased to introduce Dr. Shanting Chen (she/her), Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Florida.
1) Can you write a couple sentences on some aspect of your career development: feel free to pick one or any other related question among these: a) what drew you to do work on Asians, Asian American children and youth, or another topic that is important to you now? b) who was an important mentor to you in this work, or an influential particular study in the field or in a related field? c) any particular advice or tips to someone starting out in the field who is doing work in your area?
I began my academic journey in the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota, where I was fortunate to learn from outstanding faculty and take advantage of the university’s rich research resources. During my undergraduate studies, I participated in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP), an experience that fundamentally changed how I viewed research. Working directly with Dr. Susan Walker, I gained hands-on experience in coding, developing research questions, and presenting findings at a national conference. As a first-generation international college student, this experience greatly strengthened my confidence in my ability to conduct meaningful research.
Motivated by my growing interest in understanding family dynamics and child development, I pursued graduate studies under the mentorship of Dr. Aprile Benner and Dr. Su Yeong Kim. I was incredibly fortunate to have their guidance, support, and time throughout my training. Under their mentorship, I became involved in research examining biomarkers (such as sleep and cortisol) and daily diary approaches among ethnic/racial minority adolescents—experiences that have shaped my research identity to this day.
Advice for Newbies
• Be open-minded with learning opportunities.
Every task—no matter how small—can be a valuable learning experience. Try to reframe each assignment or challenge as an opportunity to grow your skills or deepen your understanding of the research process. Whether you’re cleaning data, conducting literature reviews, or assisting with recruitment, each step builds a foundation for becoming a well-rounded researcher.
• Persevere and pace yourself.
Doing research is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be moments of uncertainty or setbacks, but persistence is key. Aim to find a balance between productivity and self-care so the process remains both sustainable and enjoyable. Remember that progress often comes gradually, and celebrating small wins along the way can keep you motivated and grounded.
2) A short paragraph describing a particular recent finding, current study, or recent publication and what makes you excited about it. Feel free to describe its importance from any one or more of these lenses: a) research contribution; b) our knowledge about Asian or Asian American populations; c) our knowledge about other [understudied?] populations; d) practice or policy relevance.
My current research focuses on using a biopsychosocial approach and life-span development lens in understanding how various contexts (family, peer, social media, neighborhood, culture) influences individual’s development, with a particular focus on ethnic/racial minority adolescents. I was recently award the NIH K01 career development award, entitled “Adapting Machine Learning Approaches to Identify Robust Measures and Key Risk and Protective Factors of Changes in Allostatic Load across the Adult Lifespan.“ In this project, I will examine how stress and life experiences get under the skin to shape long-term health and aging. Her project leverages longitudinal, nationally representative datasets the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) along with DNA methylation data to advance the measurement of allostatic load, a biomarker of cumulative physiological wear and tear. Findings from this research will establish best practices for assessing stress biology in population-based datasets, identify critical periods for intervention, and inform strategies to promote healthy aging.
3) 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.
I find the Asian Caucus community incredibly engaging and inspiring. The outstanding members serve as role models for me, and the community provides a welcoming space where I truly feel a sense of belonging while navigating academia.
4) Any upcoming talks or presentations we should know about?
My lab will be presenting a few talks and posters at SRA!
5) What is your preferred contact email?
chenshanting@ufl.edu
6) A weblink you prefer to share?
https://chenlab.psych.ufl.edu/