Weiwen Zeng

Dr. Weiwen Zeng is an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work, joining the faculty in September 2024. He holds a PhD in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin (2023), an MSSW from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (2014), and a BSW from Shenzhen University (2012). His academic journey includes a postdoctoral fellowship at Brandeis University’s Lurie Institute for Disability Policy (2023–2024) and prior roles as a Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant and Assistant Instructor at UT Austin.

• PhD, Social Work, University of Texas at Austin, 2023
• MSSW, Social Work, Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2014
• BSW, Social Work, Shenzhen University, 2012

Dr. Zeng’s research centers on health disparities, family intervention, and lifespan development among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), with a strong emphasis on Latinx and immigrant families. His work integrates clinical social work experience with community-engaged research to develop culturally tailored interventions that improve maternal well-being, family functioning, and access to services. Key areas include autism, mental health, disability policy, and the impact of social determinants on health outcomes.

His recent publications reflect a consistent focus on culturally responsive interventions for Latinx families, maternal mental health, and health equity in IDD populations. Articles frequently appear in journals like Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders and Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, highlighting randomized trials, longitudinal analyses, and systematic reviews that inform evidence-based practice.

Dr. Zeng has no scientific awards explicitly mentioned in the provided text.

He actively mentors students and contributes to academic and community service. He serves on the PhD Program Committee and the Disability Studies Program at UTA, is Secretary of the Disability Section of the American Public Health Association, and is a board member of the Chinese American Association for Autistic Community. While specific grants are not listed, his research trajectory suggests engagement with public health and disability-focused funding initiatives.

Dr. Zeng is involved in developing and evaluating interventions such as the PODER Familiar program and contributes to research teams focused on disability policy at Brandeis University and UT Austin. His work is deeply collaborative, often involving interdisciplinary teams addressing health promotion, parenting strategies, and pandemic-related impacts on vulnerable families.