Furjen Deng received her Ph.D. in sociology from Purdue University- West Lafayette, Indiana. She is presently a professor and associate chair of the Department of Sociology at Sam Houston State University.

As a breast cancer survivor and cancer support group facilitator, her current research focuses on healthcare disparities research, quality of life among Asian cancer survivors, and cultural aspects of health-seeking behaviors.

Her work has appeared in numerous scholarly journals including Deviant Behavior, the Prison Journal and Social Impact Assessment. She is also very active in Houston’s Asian-American community. In particular, she has been a tireless cancer prevention advocate and a passionate volunteer with several local and international cancer organizations such as the Light and Salt-Cancer Support Network, American Cancer Society Asian Cancer Council, Komen for the Cure-Houston Affiliate and the Global Chinese Breast Cancer Organization Alliance.