Ph.D.
Professor
Division of Applied Social Sciences
Director of Graduate Studies - Personal Financial Planning
Division of Applied Social Sciences
Research at a glance
Area(s) of Expertise
Research Summary
Rui Yao's research mission is to enhance consumer and family economic well-being. This is the reason for her persistent dedication to pushing the fronts of interdisciplinary research that help consumers improve their economic well-being and make informed decisions in all aspects of life.
Rui Yao’s research focuses on consumer and family financial decision-making and well-being. Specific topics include financial resilience, debt management, saving and investment behavior and motives, risk tolerance, financial capability, consumption patterns, employment-leisure decisions, as well as mental and physical health outcomes of financial events. Her interdisciplinary work targets at providing implications to stakeholders of consumer and family well-being and impacted millions of consumers and families through her publications, presentations, and media interviews. She received the best paper award from the CFP Board, AARP, American Council on Consumer Interests, and American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences. She is the editor of the Journal of Consumer Affairs and serves as an associate editor, as an editorial board member and as a reviewer for a number of academic journals and conferences.
Educational background
- Ph.D., Consumer Economics, The Ohio State University
Courses taught
- FINPLN 7383 Financial Planning: Investment Management
- FINPLN 8488 – Household Financial Decision Making