My Research
My research explores how digital technologies reshape entrepreneurship, particularly as ventures navigate technological change, capability development, and the challenges of growth. I also study how entrepreneurial support must evolve alongside the changing needs of startups in the GenAI era.
Digital Capabilities & Startup Growth
How startups build, reconfigure, and scale digital capabilities over time.
AI & Entrepreneurial Adaptation
How AI reshapes entrepreneurial choices, business models, and strategic responses.
Entrepreneurial Support Organizations & Ecosystems
How incubators, accelerators, and broader ecosystems adapt to increasingly digital and AI-driven ventures.
Awards and Honors
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CTO Outstanding Associate Editor Award | Communication, Digital Technology & Organization (CTO) Division, Academy of Management | 2026
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David G. Burgoyne Teaching Award | Ivey Business School | 2026
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Ivey Bestseller Award | Ivey Publishing | NetDynamic Consulting Inc. – Managing Cloud-based ERP Implementation at SodaStream Canada | 2026
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Nominated for the Governor General’s Academic Gold Medals Competition | Graduate Program in Management, Queen’s University | 2023
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Business Outstanding Thesis | Notation on Official Transcript, Queen’s University | 2022
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PhD Student Research Excellence Award | Smith Business School, Queen’s University | 2019
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D.D. Monieson Doctoral Fellowship | Queen’s University | 2019
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Dunin-Deshpande Innovation Fellow | Queen’s Innovation Centre, Queen’s University | 2018
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Alan R. Dennis Doctoral Award | Smith Business School, Queen’s University | 2018
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First Place, 3-Minute Thesis Competition | Smith Business School, Queen’s University | 2017
Education
2015-2022
PhD
Queen's University
Area Group: Digital Technology (Previously MIS)
Thesis: Harnessing Digital Technologies for Entrepreneurial Innovation
Supervisors: Dr. Yolande Chan and Dr. James Denford (as of Aug. 2021)
2013-2015
MSc
University of British Columbia
Area Group: Management Information Systems (MIS)
Thesis: The Impact of Users’ Awareness and Self-efficacy of Privacy Control Options
Supervisors: Dr. Izak Benbasat and Dr. Hasan Cavusoglu
My Story
I spent my early years with my grandparents in a small fishing village in Shandong Province, mainland China. My parents were working in three shifts in another province, and I only saw them sporadically until I was seven. Growing up, my favorite pastime was waiting for the neighbors to return from the sea so I could help the women dry small fish on their rooftops. Due to a local tradition that barred girls from boarding fishing boats, I was determined to find my own path to explore the world beyond my village.
As an undergraduate, I aspired to become a professional esports player. However, I soon realized that while I had the passion, I lacked the innate talent. This realization steered me towards a career where perseverance and innovation are rewarded, and where the environment is continually refreshed with new, creative challenges. Today, I am thrilled to be a part of the research faculty at Ivey Business School, where I am engaged daily in conducting exciting and impactful studies.
Contact
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities in the realm of startups and business incubators. Let's connect.