Research Assistant with Keshet Ronen, Top Scholar Award, Provost Award
PhD in Implementation Science program
Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Yuwei, and I am in my first year as a PhD student focusing on Global Health Implementation Science. I have an academic background in social work, evaluation science, and mental health. Outside of my studies, I love to swim, hike, travel, and try foods from different parts of the world. These activities not only refresh my body and mind but also give me new perspectives and ideas that I bring back to my work and studies.
Why did you decide to attend the UW for graduate school?
I chose the University of Washington for my doctoral study because it offers a cutting-edge program in Implementation Science that perfectly matches my academic and career goals. The program's emphasis on accelerating the scaling up of evidence-based intervention into real-world solutions, especially in places with few resources, really spoke to me. Also, UW's strong focus on mental and behavioral health gives me a fantastic opportunity to dive deep into my passion for mental health, using my experience to make a difference in this important area.
What are your research interests?
My research is all about finding ways to make mental and behavioral health care more accessible and more effective, especially in areas where resources are scarce. Right now, I'm part of an amazing team working on a project in Kenya, developing, implementing, and evaluating an integrated mental health care model for perinatal women. It's incredibly rewarding to see theories from class come to life and make a real impact on people's lives.
What are you enjoying most about your graduate program?
What I love most about my graduate program are its dynamic and supportive atmosphere and its diversity. It's inspiring to learn from and work with some of the best minds in global health and implementation science. The program really encourages us to work together across different fields, giving us many chances to tackle global health challenges from various angles. Plus, being around classmates and colleagues from diverse backgrounds has been incredibly enriching. I've learned so much from their experiences and perspectives, and it's exciting to think about how much more we'll achieve together in the field of global health.