We are pleased to welcome Dr. Jianghong Li to the UConn Department of Public Health Sciences. Dr. Li joins our faculty as a social and behavioral scientist with more than 25 years of experience conducting applied research alongside underserved and marginalized populations experiencing health disparities.
Dr. Li’s work is deeply rooted in community-based and community-engaged research, with a strong emphasis on stakeholder involvement, empowerment, and resilience. Her approach reflects a commitment to partnering with communities to co-create knowledge and solutions that are responsive, ethical, and sustainable.
With extensive experience in NIH grant development, Dr. Li has served as a Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator on more than 20 NIH-funded studies. She has also contributed as key personnel on numerous projects supported by federal agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), as well as state governments and international organizations including UNICEF and the World Bank.
Methodologically, Dr. Li brings a wide-ranging and highly relevant skill set to the department. Her expertise includes social network data collection and analysis, recruitment and sampling of hidden populations, mixed-methods research, and intervention development, including peer-led, network-based, and multilevel approaches. She also applies systems thinking and stakeholder-engaged system dynamics modeling to support strategic planning and inform policy decision-making within complex health and service systems.
Dr. Li’s scholarship and practice align strongly with the mission of public health: advancing equity, strengthening communities, and translating research into meaningful impact. We are excited to have her join our academic community and look forward to the expertise, mentorship, and collaboration she will bring to our students, faculty, and partners.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Jianghong Li to the department.