Weiyu Mao

Weiyu Mao is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of Nevada, Reno. Their research focuses on social support, intergenerational relationships, family caregiving, and cross-cultural comparisons of aging populations, particularly among older Asians and Asian Americans. They hold a PhD and MSW from the University of Southern California, with a postdoctoral fellowship at USC's Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work and the Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging.

Key research areas include oral health disparities among immigrant populations, the mediating role of resilience in health outcomes, and the impact of acculturation on health behaviors. Their work often employs mixed-methods approaches, integrating qualitative narratives with quantitative analyses of large datasets.

Teaching responsibilities include courses such as SW 310 (Human Behavior in the Social Environment), SW 650 (Social Work and Health), and SW 723 (Social Work Administration I). Publications span journals like Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, Journal of Aging and Health, and Research on Aging, with a focus on aging-related health issues and family dynamics in multicultural contexts. Recent work emphasizes the intersection of social determinants, immigration status, and health equity for older adults.

Dr. Mao has presented at numerous conferences including the Gerontological Society of America and the Society for Social Work and Research, addressing topics such as caregiver burden, intergenerational solidarity in transnational families, and policy implications for aging populations.