Wen Liu, PhD, RN

Dr. Wen Liu is an associate professor at University of Iowa College of Nursing. She graduated from Shandong University, China, for her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing, and University of Maryland at Baltimore for her doctoral degree in nursing. Dr. Liu’s research focuses on optimizing mealtime care and outcomes in people with dementia. She is funded by NIA, Alzheimer’s Association, and American Nurses Foundation. She developed and tested OPTImizing MeALtimes (OPTIMAL), a person-centered care program, in nursing homes. Her next steps are to implement OPITMAL in nursing homes and adapt OPTIMAL in homes people with dementia and their formal and family caregivers. She has published more than 50 peer-reviewed papers, and mentored students across levels, programs, and disciplines. Dr. Liu serves on multiple regional, national, and international workgroups to translate evidence and promote dementia care practice. Her contributions to gerontological science and education are acknowledged through 2022 Midwest Nursing Research Society Harriet H. Werley New Investigator Award and 2022 National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence Distinguished Educator in Gerontological Nursing. Dr. Liu was recognized as a Fellow at the Gerontological Society of America in 2023, and a Fellow at the American Academy of Nursing in 2024.