Stacey Yi

Stacey Yi serves as an Assistant Policy Researcher at RAND and is a Ph.D. candidate in the Community-Partnered Policy and Action stream at the RAND School of Public Policy. Her work bridges health policy research with community-centered solutions, focusing on vulnerable populations and systemic inequities.

Her academic credentials include:

• M.P.H. in Health Management from the T.H. Chan School of Public Health at Harvard University
• B.A. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Rice University

Yi's research centers on behavioral health care access, Asian American mental health, and health equity, with demonstrated expertise in racial justice, child welfare, and community wellness. She investigates service barriers for marginalized groups including Chinese older adults facing anti-Asian hate, veteran single parents, and youth in suicide prevention programs. Her methodological approach combines policy analysis, community surveys, and cost-benefit evaluations to address systemic gaps in public health infrastructure.

Her 11 publications (2023-2025) reveal consistent thematic focus on mental health policy implementation, particularly California's CalAIM initiative and anti-Asian hate response systems. She employs mixed-methods research across public health, social services, and military medicine domains, with strong emphasis on community-partnered approaches and equity-centered evaluation frameworks.

Prior to RAND, Yi worked as a health policy consultant at Bailit Health, served in Rep. Raul Ruiz's office, and directed Camp Kesem's regional programs. Her professional trajectory demonstrates sustained commitment to translating research into actionable policy solutions for underserved communities.