Bishan "Melody" Yang
Assistant Research Professor
Wyoming Institute for Disabilities
Bishan "Melody" Yang, PhD, is an Assistant Research Professor at the Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND). Dr. Yang earned her PhD in Rehabilitation Science and a Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies from the University of Washington in 2024. She joined WIND in 2026 after completing a postdoctoral research fellowship at Northwestern University supported by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
With a background in occupational therapy and clinical experience in both the US and China, Dr. Yang brings a unique perspective to disability and rehabilitation research. Inspired by her clinical experiences and personal connections to disability, her research focuses on improving community living and participation outcomes for adults with disabilities, particularly by addressing barriers in physical and social environments. She specializes in qualitative and mixed methods research and community-based participatory research approaches, with an emphasis on ensuring that research reflects community needs and translates into meaningful improvements in people's everyday lives. At WIND, Dr. Yang is excited to collaborate with researchers, community partners, and individuals with disabilities to advance disability inclusion.
Outside of work, Melody enjoys traveling, exploring new restaurants and local events, keeping up with pop music and movies, spending time in nature, and cuddling with her lovely cat, Diamond.
The University of Wyoming has earned its Research Level 1 (R1) status from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, placing Wyoming's only four-year university with the top research universities in the United States.