She received a BS and a master of architecture degree from Hunan University in China and a master of architecture degree in the design and technology stream from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. She has worked in 3D animation and graphic design in Ottawa, and was an intern architect at an architecture firm in Baton Rouge. With her mixed background of Eastern and Western education systems as well as extended teaching and research experience in both, she has always been interested in researching how cultural, social, and technological aspects affect interior/architecture design research and how they interact with design education.