I am a dual-title Ph.D. student in Sociology and Gerontology at Purdue University. My research and education span sociology, gerontology, advanced research methods, and communication.

My research focuses on how social changes (such as the digitalization of family life and divergence of societal values) shape intergenerational connections and family members' health across the life course. Currently, I am especially interested in studying the health implications of technology-mediated familial interactions.  

I am advised by J. Jill Suitor. As a member of the Within-Family Differences Study (WFDS) team,  I collaborate closely with my WFDS colleagues on multiple projects examining family relationships, favoritism, caregiving, and later-life cognitive and psychological health using the WFDS data. See the WFDS publication list here. 

My research is methodologically versatile. I draw on longitudinal survey data and qualitative interviews, and I employ analytical approaches such as multilevel modeling, categorical data analysis, and mixed-methods designs. I advocate for integrating mixed-methods approaches into family and gerontology research, and I am currently co-authoring several papers with the WFDS team members that evaluate and advance the quality of qualitative data in mixed-methods surveys. 

You are welcome to contact me at he712@purdue.edu. I always enjoy connecting with others and welcome opportunities for collaboration, conversation, and new ideas!