Xiao (Elisa) Liu(she/her)

My research examines how neurological, psychological, social, and environmental factors shape mental health, well-being, and participation in everyday life. My background in psychology, neuroscience, and occupational science at the University of Southern California has allowed me to approach these questions from multiple perspectives. Through research and clinical experiences in both China and the United States, I have worked with children and adults affected by autism spectrum disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and other mental health conditions. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to developing culturally responsive and person-centered approaches to research and care.

My current research interests center on the relationships among brain function, mental health, technology, and meaningful everyday activities. In particular, I am interested in identifying biomarkers in infancy to detect autism, using both phenotypic and genotypic data. Additionally, using interdisciplinary and mixed-methods approaches, including EEG and fMRI analyses, qualitative interviews and coding, statistical modeling, experimental design, and systematic review, I aim to connect neurobiological evidence with individuals’ lived experiences. I am particularly interested in research that moves beyond identifying symptoms or impairments to examine how people interact with their environments, engage in meaningful occupations, and experience connection, agency, and well-being.

Through my doctoral training in occupational science, I hope to integrate neuroscience, psychology, and occupational perspectives to advance a more comprehensive understanding of human health and participation. Ultimately, I hope to produce research that informs accessible, culturally responsive, and innovative interventions for neurodivergent individuals and people experiencing mental health challenges.

Research Interests. Pediatric psychiatry, biological markers, autism, interventions, occupational science, AI technology, large language model

Education

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