Yanni Cao

Postdoctoral Researcher
Environmental Health Sciences


Office
410 Cunz Hall, 1841 Neil Ave., Columbus, OH, 43210
Yanni Cao

Biography

Yanni is an ecological geographer who earned her PhD in human geography from the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2021. She then completed two years of postdoctoral training at the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, followed by a year of postdoctoral research in the Department of Geography at the University of Hong Kong. She joined Ohio State in 2024. 

Yanni is deeply interested in the spatial distribution of ecological environments and their relationship to human benefits. Her previous research focused on the coupling and coordination between ecosystem patterns, ecosystem services and urbanization, as well as socio-economic development. At Ohio State, her research will focus on the spatial distribution of ecological and socio-economic environments and their impact on human health. Yanni is passionate about uncovering the mechanisms by which the environment affects human health, aiming to provide effective theoretical support for public health policy. She believes that her research holds significant value and meaning for the socioeconomic development of human society.

Education

Ph.D.
Human Geography, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2021
M.Ed.
Subject Teaching (Geography), Beijing Normal University, 2014
B.S.
Geographic Science, Northwest Normal University, 2012
B.A.
English, Northwest Normal University, 2012

Research interests

Yanni's research focuses on the spatial distribution of ecological environments and their impact on human well-being, particularly the link between ecosystem services and health. She explores how ecological patterns, such as green spaces and natural resources, influence physical and mental health outcomes. Her work also examines the interaction between socio-economic factors and ecosystem services, aiming to inform public health policies that promote healthier, more sustainable communities.

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