Ting Chi

Professor Ting Chi is a faculty member and Department Chair of Apparel, Merchandising, Design & Textiles at Washington State University (WSU), within the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences. She holds a PhD from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and has extensive expertise in sustainability, strategic marketing, and global supply chain management. Her research focuses on circular fashion, consumer environmentalism, and the integration of technology in retail.

Education:

• PhD in Consumer, Apparel and Retail Studies, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• MS in Textile Engineering, Dong Hua University
• BS in Knitting and Clothing & Business Administration, China Textile University

Research Interests: Professor Chi’s work emphasizes sustainable development, circular economy principles, and consumer behavior in fashion. She investigates topics such as second-hand apparel markets, eco-friendly materials, and the impact of digital platforms on retail. Her studies often combine quantitative analysis with real-world applications, addressing both environmental and economic dimensions of the industry.

Awards: She has received numerous accolades, including the 2022 Excellent Service Award, 2020 President’s Leadership Award, and the Mid-Career Excellence Award from the International Textile and Apparel Association. Her contributions to teaching and academic advising have also been recognized repeatedly.

Grants & Collaborations: As PI or Co-PI, she has secured funding from USDA, Walmart Foundation, and Cotton Inc., focusing on sustainable agriculture, biodegradable materials, and fashion industry innovation. Her grants emphasize cross-disciplinary approaches to solving environmental challenges in textiles.

Labs & Teams: Her research often involves collaborations with industry partners and interdisciplinary teams, exploring topics like life cycle assessment (LCA) of materials and consumer-driven sustainability initiatives. She mentors graduate students in applying empirical methods to real-world retail and supply chain problems.