Yang Li

Biography

Dr. Li received her PhD in Nursing from the University of Michigan and her MSN and BSN from Shandong University in China. Before joining the faculty at UT Austin, she completed postdoctoral training at the University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing. Her research focuses on women’s health, particularly among underserved populations affected by violence and trauma, such as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and intimate partner violence (IPV), with an emphasis on mental and maternal health. 

Dr. Li's work examines the bio-psychosocial pathways linking maternal trauma history and psychopathology to perinatal health outcomes. She has also conducted research with Chinese immigrant women, examining the prevalence, risk factors, mental health consequences, and lived experiences of IPV in this population. Building on this work, she has developed the first culturally tailored intervention that integrates mental health care with safety and empowerment to address both psychological and practical aspects of IPV recovery. This intervention aims to address inequities in access to IPV and mental health support for Chinese immigrant women. 

Dr. Li's research extends beyond trauma to encompass mental health disparities in underserved populations. She has investigated the impact of racial discrimination on mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and suicidality among Chinese immigrants. Through her expertise and dedication, Dr. Li strives to shed light on the multifaceted challenges faced by women affected by violence and trauma and to address mental health disparities among underserved populations. Her work has the potential to significantly impact efforts to address violence-related health disparities and improve women’s health.