ABOUT

Dr. Chen is a Professor and McLaren Greater Lansing Endowed Chair for Behavioral Mental Health Nursing Education within the College of Nursing. Dr. Chen’s research focuses on the development and implementation of innovative, technology-based interventions to address health behaviors related to HPV vaccination for cancer prevention, HIV/STI prevention, prevention of substance use initiation and escalation, and promotion of positive mental health across developmental stages. 

Dr. Chen earned her M.S., Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certificate, and Ph.D. from the University of Washington, Seattle. In addition to her academic role, Dr. Chen continues to provide clinical care to individuals with mental health and substance use issues at MSU HealthCare. She has served as a visiting professor with the University of California, San Francisco's Center for AIDS Prevention Studies and has been recognized as a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

RESEARCH

Dr. Chen’s research focuses on the development and implementation of innovative, technology-based interventions, including serious video games, digital storytelling, and tailored eHealth approaches to address health behaviors related to HPV vaccination for cancer prevention, HIV/STI prevention, prevention of substance use initiation and escalation, and promotion of positive mental health across developmental stages. Her work centers on reducing health disparities among vulnerable populations, particularly ethnic minority and immigrant youth and young adults, through culturally responsive, theory-driven, and community-engaged intervention strategies.