Education

2001 Nanchang University (China), B.A.
2004 Fudan University (China), M.A.
2009 Utah State University, Ph.D.

Courses Taught

Biostatistics

Career Specialties

With 14 years of experience, her research in HIV prevention and intervention has spanned diverse populations and settings, including men who have sex with men, transgender women, migrant population, AIDS orphans (children who lost one or both parents due to AIDS), adolescents, and people living with HIV in the U.S., China, The Bahamas, Thailand, and Kenya.

Professional and Community Activities

As a public health professional specializing in behavioral intervention and possessing a strong background in both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, her long-term goal is to develop and evaluate culturally sensitive, cost-effective, technology-based interventions for vulnerable populations. As the principal investigator, she conducted one of the first social-media-based interventions for people living with HIV (PLWH), using a randomized controlled trial design and biomarkers. Notably, this project was identified as the only mHealth intervention with proven long-term effects in reducing depressive symptoms. She has been involved in two large U.S. national cohorts of sexual and gender minority individuals and have published a series of papers from the Together 5000 (T5K) cohort on HIV seroconversion, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use, and discontinuation. The data they gathered and the results shared have had significant impacts on populations most vulnerable to HIV seroconversion, contributing to the 2030 goal of ending the HIV epidemic (EHE).

Grants

Roles: PI or Co-PI

Bethune Aixikang Surgical Excellence Foundation Project, “A randomized controlled trial of an mHealth supported comprehensive intervention in individualized nutrition and exercise for esophageal cancer patients after McKeown surgery” (MPI: Chao Cheng/Yan Guo, PhDs), 01/2020-12/2022, US$ 29,940.

China Medical Board, “A randomized controlled trial of an innovative and integrated patient-centered mHealth intervention to improve mental health of people living with HIV/AIDS” (PI: Yan Guo, Ph.D.), 01/2018-12/2020, US$ 80,000.

National Science Foundation of China (NSFC), 71573290, “The feasibility and efficacy of using mHealth to improve self-management and health outcomes among people living with HIV/AIDS” (PI: Yan Guo, Ph.D.), 01/2016-12/2019, US$ 85,640.

National Science Foundation of China for Junior Investigators, 81302517, “Effects of social network and social norms on HIV-related behavior and health outcomes among people living with HIV/AIDS” (PI: Yan Guo, Ph.D.), 01/2014-12/2016, US$ 37,260.

Global Fund to fight AIDS, cso-2012-42, “The social norm and social network of people living with HIV/AIDS in relation to mental and other outcomes” (PI: Yan Guo, Ph.D.), 09/2012-06/2013, US$16,200.

Sun Yat-sen university, “100 talents” start-up funding, (PI: Yan Guo, Ph.D.), 05/2012-05/2014, US$74,500.

Roles: Co-Investigator

General Project of Humanities and Social Sciences Research in Ministry of Education, 17YJAZH023, “Study on social support systems to address the health problems of older pregnant women under the universal two-child policy” (PI: Lingling Gao, Ph.D.), 01/2018-12/2020, US$ 14,970.

Guangdong Provincial Department of Educational Project, 2017-214-304, “Developing a showcase course of advanced Medical Statistics” (PI: Jinxin Zhang, Ph.D.), 09/2017-12/2019, US$ 2,994.

Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province, 2014A030313174, “Study on male homosexual orientation susceptibility gene and its interaction with environmental factors” (PI: Ciyong Lu, Ph.D.), 01/2015-01/2018, US$ 14,970.

China Medical Board, “Assess and improve occupational health and safety practice and behavior of migrant workers in small- and medium-sized enterprises” (PI: Li Ling, Ph.D.), 01/2014-12/2015, US$ 92,020.