Adversity as a double-edged sword
I'm an Assistant Professor in Industrial Systems Engineering & Management at the National University of Singapore, which I joined in 2018 after completing my PhD at Syracuse University. I study the psychological and behavioral factors underlying entrepreneurship and innovation. One idea runs through my work: adversity — a founder's childhood hardship, a psychological condition, or a firm's performance shortfall — can act as both a constraint and a catalyst. Across 16 publications in leading journals — Strategic Management Journal, Journal of Business Venturing, Journal of Management, and Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice — my work asks what, how, and when each edge prevails; lately I've turned to how AI is reshaping entrepreneurs' work and well-being.
One idea, connected work
A single conviction — that adversity is context-specific — drives my research, my teaching, and my service alike. Hover the centre to see how; click a branch to open it.
Research Framework
The same adversity — a psychological condition, a childhood hardship, or an organizational performance shortfall — can constrain or catalyze, depending on the mechanisms it activates. Click a stream to filter the publications.
Adversity
Key Findings
Each adversity cuts both ways at once — a catalyzing edge and a constraining edge. What my studies pin down is the mechanism on each side, and the condition that decides the net.
Publications
All 16 are in SJR Q1 journals and the top 10% by CiteScore. ✻ denotes corresponding author. Titles link to the published article (DOI).
Open Research Tools
Free, open resources I've built for the research community.
Research Grants
Conference Presentations
Refereed presentations at the field's flagship conferences. ▸ presented by me.
Teaching Philosophy
My teaching philosophy grows directly from my research. Studying ADHD, childhood adversity, and neurodiversity has taught me that cognitive differences are not deficits to accommodate but variations that, under the right conditions, become strengths. I draw on Universal Design for Learning — multiple means of representation, engagement, and expression — translated into concrete choices: varied formats, real-time polling quizzes, live case discussions, and multiple pathways for students to demonstrate learning. Structured but not rigid; lowering barriers without lowering standards.
Courses & Expertise
Evaluations
| Course (NUS, PG) | Recent effectiveness | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| MT5008 · Corporate Entrepreneurship | 4.5–4.8 | ▲ 4.2 → 4.8 / six years |
| MT5020 · Human Elements of Tech Mgmt | 4.4–4.5 | ▲ at/above faculty avg |
| PP5728 · Technology & Innovation Policy | 4.1 | taught in Chinese |
Beyond the Classroom
Public Research Lecture Series (2019) — bilingual research insights on YouTube & BiliBili. · Summer research boot camps. · Dr. Torpey Teaching Award for PhD Student (Syracuse, 2017).
Doctoral Mentoring
Sole advisor / dissertation chair — both graduated students secured tenure-track positions.
Zhuyi Li · Yeyanran Ge · Enchou Han · Wanyu Xu · Nima Javanbakht · Siqi Hou
Awards, Talks & Media
Professional & University Service
- Associate Editor (invited) — Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, 2026
- Editorial Review Board — Journal of Business Venturing (2020–)
- Editorial Review Board — Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice (2018–)
- NUS ISEM Faculty Search Committee (2026)
- NUS ISEM Overseas Researcher Workshop organizer (2024–25)
- ISEM Commencement Academic Procession (2022)
- NUS Open House (2019, 2023–2026)
- Public Research Lecture Series — YouTube & BiliBili (2019)
- Keynote & Discussant — Trinity College Dublin (2024)
- Panelist — AOM Doctoral Consortium Job Market Panel (2021)
- Discussant — Bologna (2019); AOM Well-being Symposium (2020, 2022, 2023)
Get in Touch
Industrial Systems Engineering & Management
College of Design and Engineering
National University of Singapore
Languages: Chinese (native), English (fluent)
Technical: Stata, R, Python, SQL
Econometrics, natural experiments, field experiments, survey design