Sasha Zhou

Sasha Zhou is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health at Wayne State University's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She is a Principal Investigator of the Healthy Minds Network, focusing on improving mental health outcomes for emerging adults and college students, particularly high-risk populations. Her work integrates qualitative and quantitative methods to address structural racism and mental health disparities.

• Ph.D., Health Services Organization and Policy (Sociology Cognate), University of Michigan, 2020
• M.P.H., Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan, 2013
• M.H.S.A., Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan, 2013

Dr. Zhou’s research prioritizes mixed-methods approaches to identify systemic drivers of mental health inequities. She examines the intersection of structural racism, immigration experiences, and cultural factors in shaping mental health outcomes, with a focus on Asian Pacific Islander, Arab, and American Indian/Alaska Native communities. Her work also evaluates telehealth modalities and pandemic-related stressors in college mental health services.

Recent publications highlight her exploration of racial discrimination's impact on AAPI populations, disparities in help-seeking behavior, and the role of social norms in substance use and mental health comorbidity. She has contributed to understanding pandemic-era mental health trends and structural barriers to care.

• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Grant (2022-2024): Critical analysis of structural racism research methods and innovative approaches.

Dr. Zhou’s leadership in the Healthy Minds Network bridges academic research and practical interventions to address mental health crises among young people. Her work emphasizes policy reform and community-driven solutions to reduce disparities.