After earning her Ph.D. from the University of Miami, Tian joined Sacred Heart University’s Jack Welch College of Business & Technology as an assistant professor of marketing. Her research focuses on consumer psychology and behavior, with a growing interest in how emerging technologies like augmented reality and artificial intelligence influence consumer decision-making in areas such as advertising, retail, social justice, and pro-social behaviors. She teaches courses in digital marketing and social media marketing at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Tian has received numerous honors, including the Outstanding Doctor of Philosophy Student Award from the University of Miami, the Faculty Research Award from Sacred Heart University, and a Research Fellowship Grant from the American Academy of Advertising. Her work has been published in leading refereed journals and presented at major conferences.