Neurodivergent Educator, Parent & Researcher
Dr. Linda Kang, R.N., B.S.N., B.A., Ph.D. is a neurodivergent educator and parent of two neurodivergent children. Her lived experience, combined with nursing, research, and STEM education, shapes an empathetic and evidence-informed approach to supporting neurodivergent learners and families.
About
A neurodivergent educator and parent of two neurodivergent children, combining lived experience with nursing, research, and STEM education.
Neurodivergent by Experience, Educator by Profession
Dr. Linda Kang is a neurodivergent individual and the parent of two neurodivergent children. This is not simply an area of professional interest—it is part of her lived experience and informs the way she understands learning, communication, inclusion, and the different ways children develop and thrive.
Alongside this lived experience, she brings a Ph.D. in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania, a B.A. in Health and Societies, a B.S. in Nursing, and a Minor in Multicultural and Global Health. Her career spans university teaching, interprofessional education, postdoctoral research, K-12 STEM teaching, health research, publications, grants, conference presentations, and community service.
Lived Experience Matters
As a neurodivergent person raising two neurodivergent children, Dr. Kang understands that support should begin with listening, respect, strengths, and the individual needs of each learner—not with a one-size-fits-all definition of success.
Dr. Linda Kang
R.N., B.S.N., B.A., Ph.D.
Nursing Education
Undergraduate and graduate teaching, course development, and student mentoring.
Interprofessional Education
Curriculum design and collaboration across healthcare disciplines.
Health Research
Research, manuscript development, systematic reviews, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
STEM Education
Primary and secondary science and mathematics teaching across the curriculum.
Professional Experience & Education
Academic, research, teaching, clinical, and service experience.
Professional Experience
Experience in higher education, research, and primary and secondary STEM education.
CTBC International Academy
September 2023 – July 2026Primary and Secondary STEM Teacher
Served as homeroom teacher for 3rd and 6th graders and taught science and mathematics courses across the curriculum.
Taipei Medical University
September 2019 – July 2023Postdoctoral Fellow
Worked on writing for research projects and developing manuscripts for international journals in cooperation with supervising faculty and doctoral students.
PenguinSmart
April – July 2019Health Care and Parent Consultant
Assisted with machine learning algorithms for individualized family-centered telehealth for rehabilitative services.
South Dakota State University
June 2016 – June 2018Assistant Professor and Coordinator for Interprofessional Education
Designed curriculum for interprofessional issues in healthcare, managed a team of four instructors, taught undergraduate and graduate courses, facilitated collaboration among six departments, and mentored students pursuing fellowships and academic and vocational careers.
University of Pennsylvania
January 2013 – May 2016Teaching Assistant
Instructed students in human anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, psychological and social diversity in health and wellness, interprofessional pain management, and current issues in health and social policy. Taught recitations, conducted exam reviews, and graded assignments.
Education
Academic preparation in nursing, health and societies, and multicultural and global health.
University of Pennsylvania
August 2016Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (Ph.D.)
University of Pennsylvania
May 2012Bachelor of Arts in Health and Societies (Magna Cum Laude)
Minor in Multicultural and Global Health.
University of Pennsylvania
May 2012Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)
Additional Professional Experience
University of Hong Kong & University of Pennsylvania
May 2014Guest Lecturer
Prepared lecture materials on health policy and healthcare systems, led class seminars, and participated in cross-cultural health exchanges.
School of Nursing at Peking University & Wharton School
May – July 2012Research Partner
Conducted qualitative research at community health clinic sites in Beijing for the Wharton Health Care summer project.
Avera St. Luke’s Hospital, Aberdeen, South Dakota
June – August 2011Nurse Intern
Developed prioritization, problem solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills through direct patient care.
Philadelphia Department of Public Health
June – August 2010Bridging the Gaps Summer Intern, Patient Assistance Program
Helped patients access needed medications and supported annual Department of Public Health evaluations.
Selected Publications
Selected peer-reviewed research and scholarly publications.
Comparative effectiveness of psychotherapies in adults with posttraumatic stress disorder
Yunitri, N., Chu, H., Kang, X. L., et al. Psychological Medicine, 53(13), 6376–6388.
Sleep-related breathing disorders and associated risk factors among people with dementia
Aini, N., Chu, H., Banda, K. J., et al. Sleep Medicine, 103, 51–61.
Prevalence of dysphagia and risk of pneumonia and mortality in acute stroke patients
Banda, K. J., Chu, H., Kang, X. L., et al. BMC Geriatrics, 22(1), 420.
Trauma, burnout, and posttraumatic growth among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic
Chen, R., Sun, C., Chen, J. J., et al. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 30(1), 102–116.
Protection procedures against the spread of COVID-19 in healthcare settings
Liu, S. Y., Kang, X. L., Wang, C. H., et al. Australian Critical Care, 34(2), 182–190.
The association of nurse–physician teamwork and mortality in surgical patients
Kang, X. L., Brom, H. M., Lasater, K. B., & McHugh, M. D. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 42(4), 245–253.
Grants & Research
Selected funded projects, research studies, and evaluation roles.
HRSA UK1HP31729-01-00
Evaluator for Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention – Registered Nurses in Primary Care to South Dakota State University, 2018. $2.8 million. Successfully funded.
Interprofessional Collaborative Practice
Co-Evaluator for Nurses Leading Interprofessional Collaborative Practice Innovation: Interprofessional Teams Improving Access and Care for the Underserved, Health Resources and Services Administration, 2017.
Seed Grant Research
Principal investigator for Effectiveness of the Nurse-led Interprofessional Collaborative Practice Innovation Model on Improvement of Outcomes on Patients with Chronic Diseases, Delores Dawley Seed Grant, 2016.
Historical & Health Research
Principal researcher for a study of Western missionary influence on nursing education in China and undergraduate researcher on missionary nurses in China and nurse job satisfaction, burnout, and quality of care in China.
Conference Presentations & Professional Activities
Selected presentations, leadership, service, and professional skills.
Conference Presentations
Presented research at Sanford Healthcare System’s Nursing Conference, Midwest Nurses Research Society Annual Conference, AcademyHealth Conference, and Beijing International Nursing Conference.
Leadership & University Service
Served on faculty international, research, graduate faculty, and statewide interprofessional collaboration committees; Treasurer of the Nursing Doctoral Student Organization.
Technology & Data
Microsoft Office, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Photoshop, InDesign, Stata, and SPSS.
Certifications & Honors
TeamSTEPPS Master Trainer (2017); Advanced level on online course teaching (2017); Hillman Scholar for Nursing Innovation Program (2011–2016); Mary Naylor Research Graduation Award (2012).
Community Service & Memberships
Service, leadership, and professional involvement.
University of Pennsylvania Health Care System
March 2013 – May 2014: Helped patients navigate care plans and educated patients about resources available at the Wood Clinic.
Technology Cross Culture Education, Dream Corps International
June – August 2008: Wrote lesson plans, trained teachers, and implemented and maintained a library system in rural areas of China with teammates from Peking University and Tsinghua University.
Professional Memberships
Member of Sigma Theta Tau International and National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Additional Recognition
Franklin Community Service Scholars Program; Graphics and Website Designer for six student organizations at Penn, including Active Minds, Microfinance Club, and Student Nurses. Won a state award for most informative website.