Assistant Professor

Office Location

Health Science
Science Ctr of Academic Bldg 124J
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Dr. Rui Liu joins SHU as assistant professor in the Department of Health Science. Her research has focused on aging and neurodegenerative disease. Dr. Liu completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and was a Research Scientist at a public health research firm before joining Sacred Heart.

Degrees & Certifications

  • Research Fellow, Neuroepidemiology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIH/NIEHS)
  • Ph.D. in Epidemiology, University of South Carolina
  • MPH, Public Health, Southern Connecticut State University
  • BS, Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin - Madison

Teaching Responsibilities

  • Introduction to Research in Health Sciences
  • Health Research Capstone
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health Research Internship
  • Health and Wellness in Later Life

Research Interests

  • Aging & Geriatric Health
  • Neurodegenerative Disease
  • Environmental Exposures
  • Nutrition
  • Chronic Disease

Awards & Fellowships

  • Sacred Heart University’s Exploring Methods of Education & Research to Grow
    & Excel (EMERGE) Research Grant, 2025 (Principal Investigator)
  • College of Health Professions Excellence in Teaching Award, 2022
  • Sacred Heart University Research and Creativity Grant, 2022
  • NIEHS Intramural Epidemiology Research Award, 2017
  • NIH Fellows Award for Research Excellence (FARE) Competition Winner, 2016
  • NIEHS Performance Management Appraisal Program Achievement Award, 2015-2016
  • Dean’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Study, University of South Carolina, 2010
  • Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health (Mu Chapter), 2010
  • Dean’s Student Travel Award, University of South Carolina, 2007-2009
  • Eta Sigma Gamma, National Professional Health Education Honorary, 2005
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