Dr. Li-Mei Chen is a passionate researcher, educator, and advocate dedicated to reimagining aging through evidence-based solutions and community engagement. With a PhD in Social Work from Columbia University, New York and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, she has spent her career exploring how aging, health, and civic engagement intersect—always with the goal of making life better for older adults.
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A professor by day and a visionary by heart, Li-Mei’s work bridges research and real-world impact, from investigating the effects of civic engagement on mental health, social isolation, and loneliness in later-life to pioneering innovative training programs for nursing home staff.
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When she’s not diving into data or mentoring the next generation of changemakers, you might find her enjoying a cup of hot matcha, being a single mom to her son Rintaro, exploring new ideas with her colleagues, or planning her next big initiative to improve the lives of older adults. Through WiSER, her latest endeavor, she’s committed to ensuring that research doesn’t just sit in journals but creates tangible, lasting change in communities.
