Before joining the Brown School for my PhD program, I worked with International Centre for Child Health and Development (ICHAD) as a study coordinator for the M-Suubi study; multi-level combined intervention to reduce the impact of HIV impact on HIV treatment outcomes among adolescents living with HIV in Uganda.

Prior to joining ICHAD, I worked as a social worker with Uganda Youth Development, (UYDEL) an NGO that conducts health awareness campaigns, advocation and providing psychosocial support to sexually exploited adolescents and children involved in drug abuse and child labour in the slums of Kampala district.

Shuya obtained her Social Work degree from China Youth University of Political Studies and pursued an MSW from the Brown School in 2021, specializing in mental health research. As an MSW student, she actively engaged in quantitative and qualitative research projects on inclusive education and child maltreatment.

Post-MSW, Shuya joined a Chinese non-profit as a senior training specialist. Her efforts in implementing Social and Emotional Learning programs enriched the lives of rural, left-behind children, alongside training over 5,000 educators in mental health awareness. As a part-time therapist, Shuya also conducted comprehensive assessments and tele-health therapy for adults grappling with mental health challenges.

Across seven years, Shuya navigated diverse cultural and professional terrains, delivering crucial mental health services to trauma-affected children and families. Shuya is passionate about building the evidence base for mental health and preventive interventions, particularly for vulnerable children, youth and families.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Shuya love hiking, dancing, cooking, and making hand-brewed coffee (lots of self-compassionate stuff)

Cheng Aaron Li (he/him) is originally from Hainan, China. Before embarking on his academic journey at the Brown School, he worked as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Singapore. Aaron is dedicated to addressing aging and health inequalities in disadvantaged communities. His research interests lie at the intersections of aging, communications, health, and social policy. Aaron hopes to infuse culturally appropriate communication strategies to alleviate later life disparities, particularly countering ageism and developing productive messaging about aging and civic engagement. Aaron earned his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from China Youth University of Political Studies in Beijing in 2008, his Master’s degree in Communications from Korea University in Seoul in 2011, and his Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in 2018, respectively.

Minjoo Lee (she/her) earned her Bachelor of Economics and MA in Social Welfare from Ewha Womans University, South Korea. Prior to entering this Ph.D. program, she served as an investigator and case manager at a Child Protective Services agency in Seoul. This work experience has deepened her passion and interest in the field of child abuse and neglect. She is invested in contributing positively to the lives of CPS-involved children and families through her research on the dynamics of child maltreatment and child protection systems.

Hilary Thibodeau is a social work doctoral student and NIDA T32 predoctoral fellow whose research explores the intersection of housing, harm reduction, and health equity. Her recent work focuses on disrupting structural drivers of racism and other forms of marginalization in the housing and drug policy domains through understanding experiences of housing precarity, stigma, and criminalization faced by LGBTQ+ adults and people who use drugs. Hilary applies intersectionality theory and other structural theories of inequity to conceptualize the complex and persistent problems at the center of her work. Hilary employs a wide range of research methods including systems-science, interpretive methodology, and community-based participatory approaches to answer questions with actionable implications for public health and social work practice. 

Before entering the PhD program, Hilary received her MSW from the University of Maine and accumulated over a decade of experience in a variety of human service roles ranging from direct practice with children and families and policy research.

Melody holds a BA in Social Work with a minor in Sociology from Ghana. She obtained an MSW from the Brown School after completing a Joint MA degree in  Public Policy at the Central European University and Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals. She has worked with humanitarian and social service organizations in West Africa, Europe, and the United States.

During her time in Ghana, Melody focused on enhancing the mental health and well-being  of adolescent, while also addressing their reproductive health needs.. This experience led her to recognize the significance of enhancing mental health research and intervention for  the youth.

Melody has been published in reputable peer-reviewed journals such as Global Social Welfare. Her research interests encompass Adolescent/Youth Mental health, Substance Use, and Gender related issues.