Cao Leilei

Areas of Expertise

Digital transformation in Marketing, Tourism and Psychological Well-being

Professional Summary

Advisor: Dr. Babak Taheri

Leilei is a Ph.D. student in Tourism and Hospitality at Texas A&M University whose research explores the intersections of existential authenticity, psychological well-being, and the evolving dynamics of consumer behavior in an era of social acceleration. He currently serves as a Teaching Assistant for the course “Marketing in a Digital Age,” lectured by Professor Petrick. With five years of experience as an International Host for Princess Cruises (Carnival Corporation), he brings a multilingual perspective—fluent in Chinese, English, German, and Japanese—to his work. His research investigates how tourism shapes self-identity and meaning-making, particularly as AI increasingly mediates consumer behavior. Holding CHIA and CATHA certifications in revenue management, Leilei bridges industry insight with academic inquiry to explore how technological change influences travelers’ search for authenticity and well-being.