‘Resilience, Adaptability’ Guide Wang’s Approach to Evaluation
As a child growing up along China’s Western Pacific coastline, NUCATS Program Evaluator Wen Wang, PhD, had no idea she’d forever carry with her the rhythm of the tides.
“The sea was a big part of everyday life, and the vibrant environment shaped not just my interests but also my personality; it instilled in me a sense of resilience and adaptability,” says Wang. “I believe this embodiment continues to help me navigate challenges with a balanced and innovative approach.”
At NUCATS, Wang’s daily routine is centered around making evaluation plans, coordinating with multiple centers and teams, and ensuring that evaluation tools and data collection processes are optimized. This ensures that various projects and programs are achieving their desired outcomes through systematic evaluation processes.
The collaborative environment at NUCATS allows me to work with experts in various fields, which continuously enriches my professional experience and personal growth.”
NUCATS Program Evaluator Wen Wang, PhD, in Tokyo with a capybara
Wang earned a master’s degree in mass communication with a focus on health communication and her PhD in human development, with extensive research training in exploring psycho-endocrinological factors that affect human development in critical developmental periods (e.g. puberty).
Before joining Northwestern in September 2023, she worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Iowa State University and then the University of Oregon, where she conducted research and evaluation in the areas of human health and development.
Today Wang lives in Wilmette with her husband, two daughters, and cat. In her free time she loves exploring museums, hiking in nature reserves, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. She also loves to travel.
“I’ve found that zoos offer a unique window into local culture and conservation efforts, and it's fascinating to see how different places are involved in animal care and education,” says Wang, who recently visited the San Diego Zoo and found a cute capybara in Tokyo to take a picture with.
The impact of her work at NUCATS is as multifaceted as her hobbies and educational background. By providing evidence-based evaluations, Wang helps ensure that NUCATS-supported projects are meeting their goals and making a real difference in the communities they look to serve.
“Being part of a process that directly facilitates translational science to promote advances in healthcare is deeply fulfilling for me,” she says. “The collaborative environment at NUCATS allows me to work with experts in various fields, which continuously enriches my professional experience and personal growth.”
The one thing she’d like for more people to understand about her work?
“I wish more people appreciated the critical role of evaluation in shaping effective programs,” she says. “Evaluation is not merely a bureaucratic necessity but a fundamental component that ensures programs are both impactful and sustainable and help to make informed decisions that can lead to better solutions.”
Written by Roger Anderson
