Kexin Yu

Dr. Kexin Yu is a Research Fellow in the Department of Neurology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, part of the Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology Section. She holds a Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Southern California and completed postdoctoral training at Oregon Health & Science University’s Layton Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease Center. Her work focuses on behavioral health interventions for socially isolated older adults, particularly those with cognitive impairments, dementia, or memory loss. She designs culturally inclusive technology-based tools to address loneliness and promote social connectedness among underserved populations like immigrant caregivers and low-income seniors. Her research bridges psychosocial and biological perspectives, exploring how loneliness impacts brain health over time.

Key research interests include aging, health equity, technology integration in healthcare, and mental health adaptation strategies. She leads interdisciplinary studies on interventions such as the I-CONECT trial—a randomized controlled trial using internet-based conversational engagement to reduce social isolation in older adults. Her work also examines the mental health impacts of discrimination on Chinese immigrants and the effects of environmental stressors like air pollution in low-income urban areas.

Dr. Yu’s articles span topics like mobility and loneliness in aging populations, emotional health in neurodegenerative conditions, and mHealth app development for caregiver support. She emphasizes community-engaged research and user-centered design to ensure interventions are accessible and culturally appropriate. While no specific awards are listed, her extensive publication record reflects impactful contributions to gerontology and social work research.

Her academic contributions include advising on grants related to aging and technology, though specific mentees or grant details aren’t detailed in the provided texts. She collaborates with interdisciplinary teams and institutions to address complex challenges in aging populations through innovative, equity-focused approaches.