Yuyang Peng is a first-year doctoral student at the Department of Communication. She received a B.A. in Communication and Psychology (summa cum laude) from University of Colorado Denver and a B.A. in communication from China Agricultural University through their joint program. Prior to joining Mizzou, she received her M.A. in Child Study and Human Development from Tufts University with a concentration in Media and Technology. 

Yuyang’s research focuses on media representation, youth development, and mental health communication. Specifically, she is interested in how mass media and social media engages with young people’s understanding of and behaviors related to mental health and social identity. Yuyang is also currently serving as the instructor for COMM 1200: Public Speaking.