I am a social worker, scholar, educator, and Associate Professor at the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College. My research examines social determinants of physical and mental health for vulnerable populations, in particular Asian Americans, immigrants and older adults, as well as the impact of the opioid epidemic across the lifespan. My research has been funded by the Minority Fellowship Program, the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities, the National Institute of Aging, the John A. Hartford Foundation, West Health and the Atlantic Philanthropies. I am currently PI on a NIH/NIA-funded pilot study as an Asian RCMAR Scientist, and co-Investigator on a community-based project to improve outcomes for older adults through the Michigan Health Endowment Fund. In addition, I provide my research expertise as Congressional Fellow through the Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Health, Democratic Staff, on issues related to mental health, disability, and population health data.

My social work practice experience is primarily with persons diagnosed with serious mental illness, particularly within minority and immigrant populations. I have presented my research with baccalaureate, masters, doctoral students and professional colleagues across the US and Canada and disseminated research findings at the Harvard Medical School, the Veteran’s Administration networks, New York State agencies and community panels. In 2018, I was appointed by the Office of the Governor of New York State as a Council Member of the New York State Interagency Geriatric Mental Health and Chemical Dependence Planning Council. I currently serve as Chair of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) track at the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and Vice President of the Asian and Pacific Islander Social Work Educators Association (APISWEA). At the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, I teach Social Work Research I & II and Clinical Practice with Older Adults.