Our Ph.D. Students

As one of our Ph.D students, you'll have opportunities for research, field studies and work experience in premier national and international tourist destinations in an atmosphere that cultivates the lifelong business relationships and networking opportunities you’ll need to advance your career. 

 

Hengyun (Neil) Li

Neil received his B.S., Dongbei University of Finance and Economics in 2010 and his MPhil. at Dongbei University of Finance and Economics in 2012. Neil's particular interest is in economics, marketing, and big data analysis in hospitality and tourism management. Before joining USC, Neil worked in the Hong Kong Polytechnic University as a research associate. Neil is the winner of the Best Paper Award in the 3rd World Research Summit for Tourism and Hospitality and 1st USA-China Tourism Research Summit, as well as the winner of the Best Master Dissertation Award in Dongbei University of Finance and Economics and the whole Liaoning Province in China. His publications have appeared in the top-tier journals, such as Annals of Tourism Research, Journal of Travel Research, International Journal of Tourism Research, Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, and Tourism Economics. He also has co-worked more than 10 different research and industry projects in Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR and the USA. Neil teaches HRTM 381 - Travel and Destination Management. To contact Neil: hengyun@email.sc.edu

Jing Li

Jing received her B.S. in 2012 and her M.S. from Shandong University in 2015. Jing's particular interest is in destination branding and marketing, tourist behavior and social media. She previously worked as an intern in Dahua Tourism Consulting Company. Jing has also worked in tourism planning in Lanzhou Geological Park and other rural tourism planning projects of Shandong Province. During her free time, Jing likes swimming, playing badminton, table tennis and traveling. To contact Jing: jingl@email.sc.edu

Somang Min

Somang received her B.S. from Korea University, Korea, and her M.S. in Hospitality Business Management from Michigan State University. Somang’s particular research interest is in service marketing, consumer behavior, and technology in hospitality industry. To contact to Somang: mins@email.sc.edu

Rui Qi

Rui received her B.A. in accounting from Wuhan University, China, in 2011her M.A. in Tourism Management from Shandong University, China in 2014. Rui has a particular research interests in resident attitudes, market effectiveness assessment and risk evaluation. Rui's research has been presented at the 2016 TTRA Annual International Conference held in Vail, Colo., the 13th Annual ApacCHRIE Conference held in Auckland, New Zealand and the Global 2014 & 11th ATF,  in Hong Kong, China. Rui teaches HRTM 280 - Foundations of Tourism. To contact Rui: rqi@email.sc.edu