Xiaoya Geng

Xiaoya Geng is a doctoral student at the University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan, with a specialization in program evaluation and applied research. During her MSW studies, Xiaoya was awarded the Kenneth G. Lutterman Memorial Scholarship, recognizing her commitment to research in mental health treatment. Her research centers on parenting, child development, and parent-child relationships, with a particular focus on ethnic and racial minority families navigating systemic inequities and socio-cultural barriers.

Her research interests stem from witnessing how dysfunctional family dynamics can create lasting impacts on children’s development, particularly in communities where cultural stigma and limited resources compound mental health challenges. Her undergraduate thesis exploring family-based experiences further sparked her interest in understanding how family systems within diverse cultural contexts influence child outcomes. She is particularly interested in investigating the mechanisms through which multi-generational patterns are transmitted within family systems and how cultural factors shape parenting practices across different racial and ethnic groups.

Prior to her doctoral studies, Xiaoya gained valuable research experience through her field placement as a research assistant at the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan. There, she contributed to community-based research projects aimed at improving participants’ research experiences, including work that resulted in published articles on systems designed to connect researchers and participants. Xiaoya also participated in co-parenting studies examining triadic parent-child interactions in simulated home environments. Through systematic behavioral coding, she analyzed parent-child interaction patterns and family communication dynamics, contributing to a better understanding of how parental coordination and responsiveness influence family functioning. This intensive observational research experience deepened her appreciation for integrating multiple methodologies to address complex questions about family dynamics and child development.

Currently, Xiaoya works under the mentorship of Dr. Esther Calzada, whose research on early childhood development in racial minority groups and focus on cultural contexts aligns closely with her research interests. Her proposed research questions center on how parenting practices impact child development outcomes in ethnic and racial minority families and the mechanisms of multi-generational transmission within family systems. She plans to employ both quantitative and qualitative research methods, utilizing structural equation modeling and longitudinal data analysis to capture the dynamic nature of family systems over time. Xiaoya’s long-term research goal is to bridge the gap between research and practice by conducting rigorous studies that can effectively reach and benefit communities, particularly those navigating systemic barriers, ultimately advocating for improved child well-being across diverse cultural contexts.