Yanni Liang, PhD

Yanni Liang joined the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives in May 2023 to lead the second stage of data collection and analysis relating to the Cooperative Governance Research Initiative and to support the continued development of the Center’s research agenda. Prior to this role, Yanni was an epidemiologist at the University of Wisconsin – Madison School of Medicine and Public Health supporting the Wisconsin Division of Public Health.

Yanni’s research interests include mental health and occupational health and safety. She has published peer-reviewed articles involving the role of cooperatives in farmers’ mental health and sociopolitical values related to occupational lung diseases. Yanni holds a PhD in Occupational and Environmental Health from the University of Iowa, a master’s in Health Care Informatics from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, and a B.A. in Economics and International Business from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse.

While not in the office, Yanni enjoys biking, hiking, gardening, and listening to birds.

Publications

• Liang, Y., McCoy, K., Tomasallo, C., Meiman, J. (2023). Social determinants of an occupational lung disease: Workers’ narratives on silicosis. SSM – Qualitative Research in Health, 3(100290).
• Liang, Y., Casteel, C., Janssen, B., Wang, K., & Rohlman, D. S. (2023). Organizational resources and social support influences on stress and depression: a comparison among cooperative and non-cooperative farmers. Journal of Agromedicine, 28(2), 177-186.
• Liang, Y., Janssen, B., Casteel, C., Nonnenmann, M., & Rohlman, D. S. (2022). Agricultural cooperatives in mental health: Farmers’ perspectives on potential influence. Journal of Agromedicine, 27(2), 143-153.
• Liang, Y., Wang, K., Janssen, B., Casteel, C., Nonnenmann, M., & Rohlman, D. S. (2021). Examination of symptoms of depression among cooperative dairy farmers. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(7), 3657.