Mengxi Zhang, PhD

Thematic Area: Public Health

Overview of Research:

As a social epidemiologist, I specialize in investigating disparities in health and healthcare accessibility among vulnerable populations. Methodologically, I draw upon analytical techniques from epidemiology, geography, and economics.

Highlight Research relating to the specific thematic area:

Health of displaced populations: Assess and develop tailored interventions to improve refugees’ health and healthcare accessibility.

Access to healthcare: Measure and evaluate geospatial accessibility to healthcare facilities through different modes of transportation.

Recent Grants:

1. Title: Mapping Eye Care Deserts: Evaluating Geospatial Accessibility and Disparities of Vision Health in Virginia

Funding agency: Carilion Clinic

Role: Co- Principal Investigator

2. Navigating Disparities in Dental Health – a Mixed-method Investigation of Access to Dental Care in Virginia

Funding agency: 4-VA

Role: Principal Investigator

3. Title: Harnessing Wearable Technology to Combat Maternal Mortality - A Scope Review and Future of Work

Funding agency: Center for the Future of Work Places and Practices, Virginia Tech

Role: Principal Investigator

Recent publications:

1. Mengxi Zhang*, Colleen Payton, Ashok Gurung, Philip Anglewicz, Parangkush Subedi, Ahmed Ali, Anisa Ibrahim et al. "COVID-19 Infection and Contact Tracing Among Refugees in the United States, 2020–2021." Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health (2023): 1-7.

2. Mengxi Zhang*, Siqin Wang, Tao Hu, Xiaokang Fu, Xiaoyue Wang, Yaxin Hu, Briana Halloran, Yunhe Cui, Haokun Liu, Zhimin Liu, and Shuming Bao. Human Mobility and COVID-19 Transmission: A Systematic Review and Future Directions. Annals of GIS. 2022.

3. Jacob Khuri, Youfa Wang, Kendall Holden, Alyce D. Fly, Teresia Mbogori, Sarah Mueller, Jayanhi Kandiah, Mengxi Zhang*. Dietary Intake and Nutritional Status among Refugees in Host Countries: a Systematic Review. Advances in Nutrition. 2022.

4. Mengxi Zhang*, Ashok Gurung, Philip Anglewicz, Parangkush Subedi, Colleen Payton, Ahmed Ali, Anisa Lbrahim, Mahri Haider, Navid Hamidi, Jacob Atem, Jenni Thang, Siqin Wang, Curi Kim, Katherine Yun. Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine among refugees in the United States. Public Health Reports. 2021; 136(6), 774-781.

5. Mengxi Zhang, Mark VanLandingham, Yoon Soo Par, Philip Anglewicz, David Abramso. Differences in Post-disaster Mental Health among Vietnamese and African Americans- Living in Adjacent Urban Communities Flooded by Katrina. PloS one. 2021; 16(8), e0255303

Honors or recognitions:

• Best Paper Award, Annals of GIS
• Fellowship, John Snow Inc
• Mekong Scholars Award, Henry Luce Foundation
• Delta Omega Best Dissertation Award, Tulane University

Overview of mentor activities (undergraduate, graduate, and/or professional students):

• 4 medical students
• 3 graduate students
• 1 undergraduate student

Overview of CeZAP and/or ID-IGEP involvement:

• I have been collaborating with faculty affiliated with CeZAP in designing interventions to increase awareness of infectious diseases.