Dr. Hu's research focuses on occupational health psychology, specifically technology use in the workplace, employee recovery and well-being, and psychometric issues. Her research has been published in several journal outlets, including Occupational Health Science, Industrial and Organizational Psychology: Perspectives in Research and Practice, Journal of Happiness Studies, and Journal of Service Research. Her research on leisure and worker well-being won the Best Student Research Award at the International Conference on Work, Stress, and Health in 2019.

Dr. Hu earned her Ph.D. and MA in Social-Industrial/ Organizational Psychology from Northern Illinois University. She received a BA degree in psychology and mathematical Statistics from Wake Forest University.