Overview
Dr. Zhongyuan Yu is an Associate Professor of the Practice and the Capstone Director for the Master in Interdisciplinary Data Science (MIDS) program.
With more than 15 years of experience in research, teaching, and applied innovation, she specializes in managing complex sociotechnical systems and developing software prototypes. Her work centers on leveraging data science, optimization methods, and scalable data engineering pipelines to design intelligent, interactive, and data‑driven decision‑support systems. Dr. Yu is passionate about translating technical innovation into real‑world impact. She is particularly interested in how modern AI—when combined with robust engineering practices and human‑centered, systems‑level design—can enhance decision‑making in domains such as healthcare delivery, defense acquisition, and evidence‑based policy. Before joining Duke, she served as the Program Director for Software Engineering Program at Stevens Institute of Technology.
With more than 15 years of experience in research, teaching, and applied innovation, she specializes in managing complex sociotechnical systems and developing software prototypes. Her work centers on leveraging data science, optimization methods, and scalable data engineering pipelines to design intelligent, interactive, and data‑driven decision‑support systems. Dr. Yu is passionate about translating technical innovation into real‑world impact. She is particularly interested in how modern AI—when combined with robust engineering practices and human‑centered, systems‑level design—can enhance decision‑making in domains such as healthcare delivery, defense acquisition, and evidence‑based policy. Before joining Duke, she served as the Program Director for Software Engineering Program at Stevens Institute of Technology.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Associate Professor of the Practice in the Social Science Research Institute
·
2025 - Present
Social Science Research Institute,
University Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
Capturing Newly Diagnosed Cancer Patients' Perceptions of Doctors' Communication Using the Communication Assessment Tool
Journal Article Proceedings of the International Symposium on Human Factors and Ergonomics in Health Care · September 2025 This paper explores the quality of doctor-patient communication in new cancer patient visits using communication assessment tools. We did a survey study right after the first visits with the cancer patients after the diagnosis. The data was collect ... Full text CitePatient-centered communication’s association with trust, satisfaction, and perception of electronic health records use among newly diagnosed patients with cancer
Journal Article Frontiers in Communication · May 2, 2024 IntroductionThe diagnosis of cancer creates immediate psychosocial distress for patients. New cancer patients are required to make important decisions about their treatment. Thus, it is essential to investigate th ... Full text CitePortfolio Optimization: A Return-on-Equity Network Analysis
Journal Article IEEE Transactions on Computational Social Systems · April 1, 2024 This article proposes return-on-equity (ROE) networks for portfolio optimization, which integrate the DuPont analysis and graph theory. Portfolio diversification is interpreted as follows: An intercluster relationship of the network structure diversifies b ... Full text CiteEducation
Stevens Institute of Technology ·
2014
Ph.D.
Georgia Institute of Technology ·
2012
M.S.
Georgia Institute of Technology ·
2010
M.S.