About

Rebecca N. Liu is an Assistant Professor of English at Brown University, specializing in Asian American literature and global histories of capitalism. Her research focuses on the centrality of Asian indenture and the contract form in understanding Asian American racialization, labor, and social reproduction from the nineteenth century to the present. Her current book project explores these themes, and an article drawn from this work has been published in American Literature. Liu received her PhD in English and Interdisciplinary Humanities from Princeton University in 2023, along with a master's degree from Princeton in 2020, an MFA from The University of Texas at Austin in 2017, and a BA from Columbia University in 2014. Her teaching includes courses on race, gender, sexuality, migration, Asian American literature and culture, and global Asian labor.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Clinical psychology
• Psychology
• Medical emergency
• Psychiatry
• Genetics
• Internal medicine
• Physiology
• Demography
• Biology
• Immunology
• Environmental health
• Economics
• Psychotherapist

Selected publications

• Psychiatric predictors of first-onset suicidal thoughts and behaviors throughout preadolescence: longitudinal associations in a US population-based study

  Translational Psychiatry · 2026-04-06

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors are increasing among preadolescent children, yet there is a paucity of longitudinal research among this developmental group. This study evaluated prospective associations between current and lifetime psychiatric disorders and first-onset suicidal ideation (SI), first-onset suicide attempts (SA), and the transition from SI to SA over the course of preadolescence, and estimated the prevalence of psychiatric treatment utilization among preadolescents with SI and SA. Data were drawn from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study. Preadolescents ages 9-10 from 21 sites across the country completed follow-up assessments every 12 months. The sample was restricted to preadolescents under age 13 at their two-year follow-up (n = 9940). In multivariate models, current major depressive disorder (MDD OR = 2.14, [95% CI = 1.10-4.15]), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD OR = 1.42, 95%CI = [1.12-1.81]), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD OR = 1.88, [95%CI = 1.49-2.36]), and binge eating disorder (BED OR = 2.42 [95% CI = 1.25-4.72]) were most robustly predictive of first-onset SI. Only lifetime depression predicted first-onset SA (OR = 2.52, [OR = 1.58-4.00]). No disorders predicted the transition from SI to SA. Rates of psychiatric treatment utilization were 29.38% and 53.91% for first-onset SI and SA, respectively. Based on their small effect sizes, MDD, OCD, ADHD and BED may offer modest value in ascertaining risk for SI. Clinicians and researchers may benefit from looking beyond psychiatric disorders to understand risk for SA. Many preadolescents with SI and SA do not present in psychiatric care settings. Widespread risk screenings in other settings (e.g., primary care) may facilitate early detection and reduce the treatment gap for children at risk for SI and SA.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Distinct patterns of formal treatment and informal support strategies among U.S. college students with elevated symptoms of depression and/or anxiety: A cluster analysis

  Psychiatry Research · 2026-02-20 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Corrigendum to “The antidepressant effect of whole-body hyperthermia is associated with the classical interleukin-6 signaling pathway” [Brain Behav. Immunity 119 (2024) 801–806]

  Brain Behavior and Immunity · 2025-01-22

  erratumOpen access
  PublisherDOI

• Uncovering Genetic Risk Beyond Diagnoses in Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors: Insights from <i>All of Us</i>

  medRxiv · 2025-04-20 · 1 citations

  preprintOpen access

  STRUCTURED ABSTRACT Importance Suicide is a leading cause of death worldwide, yet risk prediction remains imprecise. While psychiatric disorders are strongly associated with suicide-related outcomes, most individuals with these conditions never exhibit suicidal behaviors. Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) may help identify additional vulnerability factors beyond clinical diagnoses. Objective To evaluate the independent and interactive effects of polygenic risk for psychiatric disorders and clinical diagnoses on suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts (SA) in a large, ancestrally diverse cohort. Design Cross-sectional analysis of genetic and survey data from the All of Us Research Program. Setting Population-based cohort study leveraging a diverse U.S. sample. Participants 41,379 adults with genetic data and self-reported psychiatric diagnoses, SI, and SA. Main Outcomes and Measures Lifetime SI and SA, assessed via self-reported surveys. Predictors included lifetime psychiatric diagnoses on 13 categories and PRSs for depression, bipolar disorder, and PTSD, derived from multi-ancestry genome-wide association studies. Ancestry-stratified multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed for African, Admixed Hispanic/Latino, and European American groups, followed by fixed-effects meta-analysis, adjusting for age, sex at birth, and socioeconomic factors. Results Among 41,379 participants, 28.5% reported SI, and 12.6% reported SA. All psychiatric disorders were significantly associated with both outcomes, with depression, bipolar disorder, and PTSD showing the strongest independent effects (ORs=2.81-7.73 for SA, 1.62-3.32 for SI, all FDR &lt; 0.05). Each additional psychiatric diagnosis more than doubled the odds of SA (OR=2.16 95% CI: 2.10-2.21). PRSs for depression, bipolar disorder, and PTSD remained significantly associated with SI and SA after adjusting for clinical diagnoses and sociodemographic covariates. For SA, depression PRS showed the strongest association (OR=1.36 [1.30–1.41], p=1.42×10 -55 ), followed by PTSD (OR=1.33 [1.28-1.39], p=6.91×10 -45 ) and bipolar disorder (OR=1.18 [1.13-1.23], p=1.41×10 -16 ). Effect sizes were comparable among individuals with and without clinical diagnoses, suggesting transdiagnostic relevance. Conclusions Polygenic risk for psychiatric disorders showed modest but significant associations with SI and SA, independent of clinical diagnoses and sociodemographic factors. These findings highlight the value of genetic information in identifying vulnerability not fully captured by diagnostic categories and underscore the importance of multi-dimensional approaches to suicide risk assessment across diverse populations. KEY POINTS Question Do polygenic risk scores (PRS) for psychiatric disorders independently predict suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts (SA) beyond clinical diagnoses? Findings In 41,379 All of Us participants, socioeconomic adversity and psychiatric diagnoses were strongly associated with SI and SA. PRSs for depression, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) showed significant and independent associations with SI and SA. These associations remained regardless of clinical diagnoses, suggesting genetic risk reflects vulnerability not fully captured by diagnostic categories. Meaning While PRSs have limited predictive value individually, integrating genetic, clinical, and socioeconomic factors may enhance understanding of suicide risk and improve risk assessment.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• 1250 Nightmares and Self-Injurious Thoughts Among High-Risk Adolescents: Examining Negative Affect as a Potential Mechanism

  SLEEP · 2025-05-01

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Introduction Self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs) are a critical public health concern among adolescents. Emerging research identifies nightmares—a sleep problem characterized by vivid, dysphoric dreams—as a promising proximal and modifiable risk factor for SITBs. However, little is known about the mechanisms through which nightmares may confer risk for SITBs among youth. This study aimed to address this gap by investigating whether negative affect intensity mediates the relationship between nightmares and SITBs in a sample of clinically high-risk adolescents. Methods Adolescents (N=86; ages 12–18) were recruited after discharge from acute psychiatric care settings (e.g., psychiatric inpatient hospitalization) and assessed using a 28-day ecological momentary assessment (EMA) design. Nightmare presence and intensity were assessed each morning, while negative affect (NA), suicidal thoughts, and non-suicidal self-injurious (NSSI) thoughts were measured multiple times per day. Multilevel structural equation modeling was employed to examine within- and between-person effects. Results Results revealed significant between-person mediation effects: adolescents who experienced more frequent or intense nightmares reported greater NA intensity, which in turn was associated with greater suicidal and NSSI thought intensity. Notably, these associations were observed at the between-person level but not within-person level, suggesting that the risk associated with nightmares and NA may be more reflective of stable individual differences rather than short-term, dynamic fluctuations. Conclusion These findings represent one of the first attempts to examine a mechanistic pathway linking nightmares to SITBs in adolescents, using temporally sensitive data collected during the critical period following discharge from acute psychiatric care—a time of heightened risk for SITBs. The findings have important clinical implications. Targeted interventions to reduce nightmare frequency and intensity may hold promise for mitigating SITB risk among high-risk adolescents. In sum, this study advances the understanding of how nightmares and NA intensity contribute to SITBs, providing a foundation for targeted, evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing suicide risk among vulnerable youth. Support (if any) This research was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH124899 to EMK/CRG/RTL).

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• A simple way to gamify ecological momentary assessment studies and improve survey adherence with adolescents: The Emoji Game.

  Psychological Assessment · 2025-04-07 · 3 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  = 32). We found that participants in the "Emoji Game" period completed significantly more surveys (M compliance = 63.07%) than either comparison group (40.47% and 43.98% for 4 months and 1 year prior, respectively). We found no differences among groups on survey engagement (e.g., number of zeros per survey, a metric of careless and quick responding). Taken together, this suggests that the Emoji Game is an easy, low-burden way to gamify EMA studies that increases compliance. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

  PublisherDOI

• Milestones in Medical History: AI Insights Into Nobel Prize Discoveries

  AI in Clinical Medicine · 2025-01-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, established through Alfred Nobel’s visionary will, has served as the highest recognition of groundbreaking medical discoveries since 1901. Awarded to 227 pioneering scientists over 114 years, these honors trace the extraordinary evolution of modern medicine through six transformative stages. The early 20th century laid critical foundations with Emil von Behring’s serum therapy and Robert Koch’s germ theory, which established the principles of immunology and infectious disease control. The 1920s - 1940s saw life-saving breakthroughs with Frederick Banting’s insulin discovery and Alexander Fleming’s penicillin, revolutionizing treatments for diabetes and bacterial infections. Mid-century brought molecular revelations including Hans Krebs’ metabolic cycle and Watson and Crick’s DNA structure, while the 1970s - 1990s introduced revolutionary diagnostics through computed tomography imaging and organ transplantation techniques. The fight against global health threats accelerated with Harald zur Hausen’s human papillomavirus-cancer link and Youyou Tu’s malaria therapy, followed by contemporary advances in genetic medicine. Recent laureates like Svante Paabo (ancient DNA) and Katalin Kariko (mRNA vaccines) have propelled medicine into a new era of personalized care and pandemic response. Today’s cutting-edge research builds on this legacy through precision oncology, AI-enhanced drug discovery, and minimally invasive liquid biopsies. These Nobel-recognized achievements collectively extended global life expectancy by decades and transformed medical practice from empirical observation to molecular targeting. However, as medicine advances toward increasingly sophisticated gene and cell therapies, the scientific community must address emerging challenges in healthcare equity, data ethics, and global access to ensure these life-changing innovations benefit all humanity equally. The Nobel Prize continues to illuminate medicine’s brightest minds while inspiring future generations to tackle remaining frontiers in neuroscience, aging, and emerging diseases.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Effect of Anti-Inflammatory Treatment on Depressive Symptom Severity and Anhedonia in Depressed Individuals With Elevated Inflammation: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

  American Journal of Psychiatry · 2025-12-10 · 7 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  OBJECTIVE: Studies evaluating the effect of anti-inflammatory treatment on depressive symptom severity and anhedonia in depressed individuals report mixed results. In this preregistered systematic review and meta-analysis, the authors evaluated whether anti-inflammatory treatments, compared to placebo, reduce anhedonia and depressive symptom severity in depressed individuals with an inflammatory phenotype. METHODS: The authors included randomized controlled trials of pharmacological anti-inflammatory treatments that assessed anhedonia or depressive symptom severity and recruited depressed individuals with an inflammatory phenotype or measured baseline inflammatory biomarkers that permitted post hoc analysis. A search was conducted in February 2025 of MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov, and PsycINFO. Multiple reviewers independently applied criteria, and discrepancies were resolved via consensus. Two reviewers independently extracted data and cross-checked for errors. RESULTS: In randomized controlled trials (k=11) using an established cutoff for elevated inflammation (C-reactive protein ≥2 mg/L), both anhedonia (Hedges' g=0.40, 95% CI=0.08, 0.71) and depressive symptoms (Hedges' g=0.35, 95% CI=0.05, 0.64) were reduced, but no differences in treatment response (relative risk=1.28, 95% CI=0.997, 1.64) or remission rates (relative risk=1.18, 95% CI=0.71, 1.95) were observed. Results did not vary by clinical, interventional, or demographic characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-inflammatory treatments may be safe and effective at reducing depressive symptoms and anhedonia in depressed individuals with heightened inflammation. Not accounting for inflammatory status may help explain prior mixed findings.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Identifying Intersecting Factors Associated With Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among Transgender and Gender Diverse Adults: Preliminary Conditional Inference Tree Analysis

  Journal of Medical Internet Research · 2025-03-06 · 5 citations

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals are disproportionately impacted by suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs), and intersecting demographic and psychosocial factors may contribute to STB disparities. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify intersecting factors associated with increased risk for suicidal ideation, intent, plan, and attempts in the US transgender population health survey (N=274), and determine age of onset for each outcome using conditional inference trees (CITs), which iteratively partitions subgroups of greater homogeneity with respect to a specific outcome. METHODS: In separate analyses, we restricted variables to those typically available within electronic medical records (EMRs) and then included variables not typically within EMRs. We also compared the results of the CIT analyses with logistic regressions and Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: In restricted analyses, younger adults endorsed more frequent ideation and planning. Adults aged ≤26 years who identified as Black or with another race not listed had the highest risk for ideation, followed by White, Latine, or multiracial adults aged ≤39 years who identified as sexual minority individuals. Adults aged ≤39 years who identified as sexual minority individuals had the highest risk for suicide planning. Increased risk for suicidal intent was observed among those who identified as multiracial, whereas no variables were associated with previous suicide attempts. In EMR-specific analyses, age of onset for ideation and attempts were associated with gender identity, such that transgender women were older compared to transgender men and nonbinary adults when they first experienced ideation; for attempts, transgender women and nonbinary adults were older than transgender men. In expanded analyses, including additional psychosocial variables, psychiatric distress was associated with increased risk for ideation, intent, and planning. High distress combined with high health care stereotype threat was linked to increased risk for intent and for suicide planning. Only high everyday discrimination was associated with increased risk for lifetime attempts. Ages of onset were associated with gender identity for ideation, the intersection of psychiatric distress and drug use for suicide planning, and gender identity alone for suicide attempts. No factors were associated with age of onset for suicide intent in the expanded variable set. The results of the CIT analysis and the traditional regressions were comparable for ordinal outcomes, but CITs substantially outperformed the regressions for the age of onset outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary test of the CIT approach to identify subgroups of TGD adults with increased STB risk, the risk was primarily influenced by age, racial identity, and sexual minority identity, as well as psychiatric distress, health care stereotype threat, and discrimination. Identifying intersecting factors linked to STBs is vital for early risk detection among TGD individuals. This approach should be tested on a larger scale using EMR data to facilitate service provision to TGD individuals at increased risk for STBs.

  PublisherDOI

• Nightmares and self-injurious thoughts among clinically acute adolescents: Examining negative affect as a potential mechanism

  Journal of Affective Disorders · 2025-04-09 · 2 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• Temporal dynamics of stress, sleep, and arousal in short-term risk for adolescent suicidal behavior

  NIH · $3.1M · 2019–2024

• Neurocognitive characteristics of short-term risk for suicidal behavior in adolescents

  NIH · $3.2M · 2019–2025

• Life Stressors, Impulsivity, and Adolescent Suicidal Behavior

  NIH · $2.0M · 2014–2021

• Multimodal Dynamics of Parent-child Interactions and Suicide Risk

  NIH · $481k · 2022–2026

• Clarifying proximal mechanisms linking interpersonal stressors to suicidal behavior in youth: A multi-informant real-time monitoring study

  NIH · $2.9M · 2021–2027

Frequent coauthors

• Alexandra H. Bettis

  Vanderbilt University Medical Center

  87 shared

• Evan M. Kleiman

  Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

  82 shared

• Shayna M. Cheek

  Duke University

  63 shared

• Taylor A. Burke

  55 shared

• Rachel F.L. Walsh

  Temple University

  51 shared

• Conall O’Cleirigh

  Fenway Health

  49 shared

• Qimin Liu

  Boston University

  49 shared

• Katherine E. Kabel

  49 shared

Education

• Ph.D.

  Princeton University

  2023

• M.A.

  Princeton University

  2020

• Other

  The University of Texas at Austin

  2017

• B.A.

  Columbia University

  2014