Q: Out of everything you're working on, what are you most excited about?

A: The Concussion Center has a lot of exciting projects with various partners across the country. Out of everything, I am the most excited about the "Concussion XR" — a virtual reality module being developed by our colleagues from the Center for Academic Innovation.

Unlike many injuries, concussions are often not immediately visible to medical providers unless self-reported by patients. On the other hand, patients may be unable to correctly recognize symptoms or are motivated not to disclose their injury. The XR-supported concussion modules could empower future healthcare providers to facilitate low-stakes evaluation and learning and to understand the impact of concussions across diverse scenarios. 

Q: What's the most meaningful or satisfying aspect of your work?

A: Through "Pop-up Safety Town," our team travels to underserved communities and provides age-focused injury prevention resources to families and children who otherwise would not have the opportunity.  In the past two years, we have been to Marygrove Conservancy in the Detroit Public School Community District, Cummings Head Start Center in Flint, Genesee Intermediate School District (GISD), Jackson, Ypsilanti, Whitmore Lake, Addison, and Durand — rural areas with high needs. 

In addition, we worked with student organizations, such as Medical Arabic at the University of Michigan, to organize another well-attended event in Hamtramck in April 2024. This area has a diverse population of Arabic-speaking families with immigrant backgrounds (e.g., Yemeni and Bengali). 

Q: How do you balance your time between the demands of your work and personal life?

A: When working, I focus on being as productive as possible so that when it's time to relax and recharge, I can fully enjoy that time without feeling guilty. I try to incorporate some fun into my schedule — whether it's a quick spin on my Peloton bike, chasing after our new puppy, or enjoying quality time with my 9-year-old child and family. After all, a happy family makes for a happy work-life balance!

Q: Which states and/or countries have you lived in? Which was your favorite?

A: I was born and raised in Taiwan and moved to the U.S. when I was 16. I've lived in Seattle, Washington; Chicago, Illinois; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Houston, Texas. Each place holds a special place in my heart, and I can't really say which was my favorite because I have fond memories of each one!

Q: If you could go on vacation anywhere, where would it be and why?

A: If I could go on vacation anywhere, I'd choose Paris (and we really are going there later this summer)! Not just because of the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre but also because it's where the movie Ratatouille is set. Who knows, maybe I'll stumble upon a charming little restaurant with a talented rat chef!