Xiao Yiqun
PhD in Statistics
University of Michigan, United States
I am truly grateful for the wonderful opportunity I had to gain research experience overseas. My time at the University of Michigan was an eye-opening and enriching experience, both in terms of research and life.
Research at the University of Michigan:
As a visiting PhD student at the University of Michigan, I had the privilege of attending weekly seminars and participating in academic activities at the statistics department. I was under the guidance of Prof. Kean Ming Tan at the University of Michigan and Prof. Wenxin Zhou at the University of Illinois Chicago, and I had opportunities for discussion with them in meetings, where I gained fresh insights and ideas for my own research. These regular meetings were instrumental in honing my skills in project organisation, and other discussions with fellow researchers introduced me to new and fascinating topics, such as spatial data. My lab had different reading groups, focusing on both classic textbooks and up-to-date research papers. Presentations were given in turn, and everyone shared their thoughts and experiences. This visiting experience not only helped me shape a long-term research plan but also fostered my growth as an independent researcher with distinct research interests.
Life in Ann Arbor:
Having lived in the US before, I found daily life to be occasionally tedious, especially away from major cities. However, the summer in Ann Arbor was vibrant and full of enthusiasm. The Ann Arbor Art Fair, the largest and most renowned in the state, was a highlight. It was fascinating to see all kinds of paintings, photographs, jewellery and sculptures. Every piece was full of creativity, transforming the streets into a vast exhibition. Additionally, I had the chance to reconnect with some old friends and catch up on their lives.
I am immensely thankful for the unwavering support of my supervisor, Prof. Yuanyuan Lin. Her encouragement gave me the courage to venture to a new place and tackle new challenges. The warm and welcoming atmosphere of Prof. Tan’s lab and the guidance of Prof. Zhou were a source of comfort during the chilly spring in Ann Arbor. Furthermore, the department’s support allowed me to focus wholeheartedly on my research, freeing me from any other concerns.
In conclusion, my time at the University of Michigan was an invaluable experience that significantly contributed to both my personal and academic growth. I look forward to applying the knowledge and skills I gained there to my future research endeavours.
Zhai Yibo
PhD in Statistics
Yale University, United States
I was greatly honoured to receive the Overseas Research Award for a PhD in Statistics, which supported my research at the Department of Biostatistics at Yale University. Under the supervision of Prof. Shuangge Ma, a distinguished biostatistician known for pioneering innovative statistical and bioinformatics methods for analysing cancer genomics and pathology images, I gained invaluable research experience, which broadened my insight into potential research directions.
During my first meeting with Prof. Ma, I introduced my ongoing projects on spatial transcriptomics analysis, and then he introduced me to the problem of extracting features from pathology images of lung cancer patients, which are also related to spatial data analysis. Prof. Ma’s group has developed several high-dimensional methods to analyse these image features, providing valuable insights for clinical diagnosis. After multiple discussions, we identified potential workflows for improving the extraction process by developing spatial models. Our goal was to smooth the image features and condense more information than had previously been possible, thereby increasing the interpretability of results and enhancing the robustness of downstream analysis.
Despite the wide gaps in our research interests, Prof. Ma patiently provided thorough feedback and valuable suggestions, particularly on spatial data and related topics that could potentially bridge our work. Each weekly meeting was both productive and inspiring, helping me to deepen my understanding of how to develop sound statistical models to address real-world problems from both statistical and scientific perspectives.
Regular discussions with the students in Prof. Ma’s group were engaging and enjoyable, as we exchanged ideas and explored different perspectives on various research topics. Jingmao (a postdoc) introduced me to popular high-dimensional regularisation methods for analysing image features, such as fusion-lasso. Fengchuan (a PhD student) explained many theoretical properties of regularisation methods, including MAP and SCAD. Rong (a postdoc), who focuses on gene network analysis using mixture models, patiently guided me through this area step by step. Tong (a postdoc), an excellent PhD graduate from the Department of Statistics at CUHK, really impressed me with her work on developing high-dimensional theories to solve challenging problems in theoretical deep learning.
Beyond research, my daily life at Yale was equally unforgettable. Walking through the campus, with its stunning Gothic architecture, never failed to lift my spirits. Yale’s rich artistic tradition is reflected in its world-class museums, such as the Peabody Museum and the Yale University Art Gallery, which became favourite spots for me during my free time. One of the highlights was seeing Van Gogh’s masterpiece, The Night Café, at the art gallery. Yale is also renowned for its sports facilities, including the Payne Whitney Gymnasium – the second-largest gym in the world – which was the perfect place for me to unwind.
Lastly, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my supervisor, Prof. Yingying Wei, my host supervisor, Prof. Shuangge Ma, and our department for offering me this wonderful opportunity. I am also grateful to my co-advisor, Prof. Fangda Song, for his constant and selfless support. Furthermore, I would like to thank my friends at Yale for their help and for making my time there truly special.
Zou Yudan
PhD in Statistics
University of California, Los Angeles, United States
I am immensely grateful for having had the opportunity to visit the Biostatistics Department at UCLA from 25 March to 30 June, supported by the Overseas Research Award for PhD Students. This incredible experience broadened my perspective and deepened my appreciation for the global academic community.
My visit to the USA was eye-opening. The country’s emphasis on innovation and research excellence was evident in every academic setting I encountered. In addition, Los Angeles, with its unique blend of culture, entertainment and natural beauty, particularly impressed me with its diverse and rich experiences. Moreover, the architectural beauty and state-of-the-art research facilities at UCLA created an intellectually stimulating and aesthetically pleasing environment. The openness and friendliness of the people I met made my stay even more enjoyable.
This visit was profoundly beneficial to my PhD research. Collaborating with Prof. Gang Li at UCLA provided me with new insights and methodologies to incorporate into my work. Furthermore, exposure to different academic cultures and practices enhanced my adaptability and broadened my academic network.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my supervisor, Prof. Xinyuan Song, for her unwavering support and guidance. I am equally thankful to my host supervisor at UCLA, Prof. Gang Li, for welcoming me into his research group and providing invaluable mentorship throughout my stay. Their encouragement and belief in my potential were instrumental in making this visit a reality.
Additionally, I extend my sincere thanks to the Overseas Research Award for PhD Students for the financial support necessary for this visit. Without this award, such an enriching experience would not have been possible. I strongly encourage future candidates to take advantage of such opportunities. A short visit abroad can be transformative, offering not only academic growth but also personal enrichment.
