Ho Chi Cheng
College of Family and Consumer Sciences
Ph.D. Student | Presidential Graduate Fellow | Graduate Teaching Assistant
Ho Chi Cheng is a Ph.D. student in Polymer, Fiber, and Textile Sciences at the University of Georgia, specializing in international merchandising and quantitative consumer research.
Dawson Hall
305 Sanford Dr.
Athens, GA 30602
Education
| Degree | Field of Study | Institution | Graduation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ph.D. | Polymer, Fiber, and Textile Sciences - International Merchandising Emphasis | University of Georgia | Expected 2030 |
| M.A. | Economics | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) | December 2024 |
| B.A. | Economics | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) | May 2023 |
Research
Ho Chi's research background spans consumer behavior, social media analytics, healthcare decision-making, and quantitative modeling. His prior work examined how online social networks influence consumption and brand perceptions using R and Stata. He currently contributes to research applying Markov decision processes (MDPs) and Python-based simulation to dementia care decisions.
Teaching
Ho Chi previously served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Department of Economics at Virginia Tech, supporting Principles of Microeconomics. He led review sessions, developed original practice materials, delivered lectures and guided problem-solving sessions, and assisted students through office hours at the Economics Tutoring Center. He also served as a peer mentor for first-year economics students.
Prior Professional Positions
| Organization | Title | Years of Service |
|---|---|---|
| Giving Forward | Data Analytics and Business Intelligence Specialist | 2025-2026 |
| CrossCity Culture Advertising Media Co., Ltd. | Chief Operating Officer Assistant | 2021 |
Awards
| Award Name | Awarded By | Year Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Presidential Graduate Fellowship | University of Georgia | 2026 |
| Virginia Wilbanks Kilgore Scholarship | College of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Georgia | 2026 |
| Outstanding Junior Award | Department of Economics, Virginia Tech | 2022 |
Service
| Organization | Title | Year(s) | Service Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Tech Economics Club | Co-Founder | 2022 | Student Leadership |
| Virginia Tech Chinese Students and Scholars Association | Executive Officer and Event Host | 2021 | Student Leadership |
Areas of Expertise
International merchandising; consumer behavior; fashion marketing; social media analytics; quantitative research; data analysis; Python; R; Stata.
Current Research
Ho Chi's current research interests include international merchandising, consumer behavior, fashion marketing, digital engagement, and data-driven decision-making. His work draws on interdisciplinary training in textile and apparel studies, economics, statistics, and computational methods.