Chenyu Zhao

Chenyu Zhao researches adolescent mental health, education, and school-based risk and protective factors, with a particular focus on youth in low- and middle-income countries. Her quantitative work examines factors associated with depression, suicidality, and well-being among adolescents using large population-based datasets. Alongside this, she conducts community-engaged research in rural Kenya to understand how schools and communities shape young people's educational trajectories and life opportunities, including how teachers' professional networks support educational practice and reform. Her interest in this work grew from experiences of living, volunteering, and teaching yoga in communities across Africa and Latin America, where she witnessed both the challenges young people face and the strengths they draw from their communities. These experiences continue to inform her commitment to generating research that supports adolescent well-being and expands educational opportunity. She believes scholarship should not only advance knowledge but also contribute to community-informed change.

In addition to her research, Chenyu enjoys teaching undergraduate social work courses and has over a decade of experience teaching private piano, violin, and guitar lessons. Outside of work, Chenyu enjoys yoga, tennis, weightlifting, and listening to audiobooks.