Dr. Qingjiang "Q.J." Yao obtained his master's degree in philosophy from Beijing Normal University and a Ph.D. in mass communication from the University of South Carolina. He worked at an educational newspaper in Beijing for six years before pursuing his doctorate in the States.

He taught at Fort Hays State University in Kansas and the University of Iowa in the areas of strategic and mass communications as well as public speaking before coming to Lamar.

His research interest currently lies in examining media's persuasive effects in the digital era and particularly on science and health issues.

He has published in such journals as the American Journal of Media Psychology, Asian Journal of Communication, China Media Research, Journal of Internet Law, Public Relations Review, and Science Communication and other venues.