Meet Jiaming Liang, PhD, a new faculty member with UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in San Antonio

Jiaming Liang, PhD, is one of the newest assistant professors in San Antonio, coming from California this year to join the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health. Liang's research focuses on aging in older adults, specifically Alzheimer's patients, and the impact on their caregivers.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself.

A: I was born and raised in a small town in Sichuan, southwest of China, where I developed a love for spicy food. After completing my undergraduate and master’s degrees in psychology in China, I came to the U.S. and earned my PhD in Social Work at the University of Southern California, and then completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at USC Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. I moved to San Antonio this past summer with my wife and our 10-month-old son, who tortures us every day by refusing to finish his baby food.

Fun facts: I enjoy swimming because it’s the perfect exercise during the summers in San Antonio. I also love cooking, especially modifying recipes based on sudden inspiration, although the judges, usually my family, are often less than satisfied with my innovation.

Q: Why did you choose to come to UTHealth Houston SPH in San Antonio? 

A: UTHealth Houston School of Public Health offers unique opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, not only within the school but also across other schools and departments. This aligns with my goals as a community-based social work researcher, to translate research findings into real-world impact, and foster organic collaboration among complex healthcare systems to provide appropriate services to older adults and their families at the community level.

Q: Why do you love working in public health?

A: Public health emphasizes prevention, community engagement, and the potential to make lasting impacts on society. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that the work I do can contribute to healthier communities and more supportive environments for families.

Q: What I love about living in San Antonio:

A: I love San Antonio for its rich cultural heritage, which allows easy access to traditions, art, and distinctive cuisine. The strong sense of community, along with the beautiful parks and outdoor spaces, makes it an ideal place for a tranquil and peaceful life. It's especially conducive to finding work-life balance, spending quality time with my children, and enjoying family moments.

Q: What are your current and long-term research plans:

A: My current work primarily involves (1) using mixed methods to explore the psycho-behavioral-social mechanisms about cognitive decline among older adults, as well as factors influencing the stress process of family caregivers, and (2) the development of psychoeducational interventions to promote caregivers’ self-efficacy, psychological well-being, and coordination with healthcare providers. I am actively building partnerships with communities and local organizations to facilitate the translation of such interventions into actionable and sustainable programs integrated with community health systems.

In the long term, I plan to expand my research to address issues related to health equity, such as developing and testing culturally and linguistically adapted intervention programs for racial/ethnic minority communities, especially those with socioeconomic disadvantages and immigration histories.