JIA, Ruofan
PhD in Statistics
Yale University, United States



I arrived in New Haven in July and have become used to life at Yale University.

Yale University, nestled in the charming city of New Haven, Connecticut, is renowned for its rich academic history and distinguished faculty. The moment that I set foot on its hallowed grounds, I was enchanted by the intense intellectual energy that fills the air. The atmosphere is charged with an undeniable eagerness for knowledge and creativity, as students embrace their passions and actively engage in thought-provoking debates. Besides the academic atmosphere, Yale University is famous for its captivating architecture. The school buildings and even the houses alongside the streets are beautiful and elegant. The vibrant campus and rich history have engulfed me.

I am fortunate to share a room with my Indian roommate, who has added a fascinating dimension to my life in New Haven. Our discussions have provided me with a broader global perspective, and we have both expanded our cultural horizons. It is a great pleasure for us to share with each other the traditional dishes of our home countries.

In August, I travelled to eastern Canada, where history meets modernity and natural wonders abound. From the vibrant streets of Montreal to the historic charm of Quebec City, I have immersed myself in a rich culture and picturesque landscapes. I am looking forward to my next chance to explore cities near New Haven.

Studying at Yale University as a visiting student has been transformative. I have already learned and experienced a lot during my short stay. I am eagerly looking forward to the intellectual challenges and opportunities that I will encounter in the following several months.

WANG, Tong
PhD in Statistics
Yale University, United States



I am truly grateful for the wonderful opportunity to gain research experience overseas. My time at Yale University has been an eye-opening and enriching experience, both in terms of research and life.

Research at Yale:

As a visiting PhD student at Yale, I have had the privilege to audit biostatistics courses, attend weekly seminars and even arrange one-on-one meetings with seminar speakers. Under the guidance of Professor Ma, I have delved into the field of biostatistics, gaining fresh insights and ideas for my own research. Our regular meetings have been instrumental in the honing of my skills in project organisation, and the discussions with fellow researchers at Yale have introduced me to new and intriguing topics, such as graphical models. This experience has not only helped me shape a long-term research plan but has also fostered my growth as an independent researcher.

Life at Yale:

Life at Yale has been incredibly diverse and vibrant. The Office of International Students and Scholars hosts daily English conversation groups where I have made friends from various backgrounds. Each day brings new topics of discussion, allowing me to learn about different cultures. Additionally, our neighbourhood and laboratory organise various activities, such as mountain climbing and museum visits. During my leisure time, I have had the opportunity to visit New York City, which was a dream come true as I got to witness iconic scenes that I had previously only seen on television.

I am immensely thankful for the unwavering support of my supervisor, Professor Yuanyuan Lin. Her encouragement gave me the courage to venture to a foreign place and tackle new challenges. The warm and welcoming atmosphere in Professor Shuangge Ma’s laboratory has been a source of comfort during this chilly spring in New Haven. The department’s support has allowed me to focus wholeheartedly on my research, free from other worries.

ZHU, Bencong
PhD in Statistics
The University of Texas at Dallas, United States



Thanks to the overseas research award provided by our department, I had the opportunity to visit Professor Qiwei Li at the University of Texas and Professor Lin Xu at the UT Southwestern Medical Center from 1 September to 31 December. Both institutions are situated in Dallas, a captivating and delightful city in the United States.

Prior to my arrival in the United States, I initiated collaboration with Professor Qiwei Li on a Bayesian nonparametric model for medical data obtained from the UT Southwestern Medical Center. We regularly scheduled individual Zoom meetings to discuss the progress of our project. Professor Li proved to be an amiable and patient supervisor, as well as a talented young scientist with a plethora of intriguing ideas for addressing biological problems. Upon my arrival in Dallas, he kindly picked me up from the airport and even accompanied me to the supermarket, aiding my smooth transition to life in the city. Thanks to his invaluable assistance, I enjoyed a comfortable first night in the new city. Throughout my visit, we embarked on the development of a novel Bayesian nonparametric bi-clustering model for spatial transcriptomic data. Professor Li generously allowed me to participate in several projects and collaborate closely with his students, which broadened my horizons in terms of identifying captivating biological problems. We met regularly on weekdays, engaging in discussions encompassing not only research but also hobbies, delectable cuisine in Dallas and life in America. He is not only my hosting supervisor but also a cherished friend, and I am genuinely grateful for the opportunity to have met him.

In addition to our daily research, Professor Li actively encouraged me and provided me with numerous opportunities to participate at workshops and conferences. For instance, I had the privilege of presenting a poster at the 6th Annual Symposium on Cancer Research: Basic Science to Bioinformatics hosted by Texas A&M University, as well as the Annual Workshop on Imaging and Data Science held at UT Dallas. Engaging in these captivating academic activities and in discussions with researchers from diverse backgrounds was an enriching experience. Furthermore, I have been invited to deliver a short talk at the BAYSM 2023 conference, organised by the International Society for Bayesian Analysis, which will be conducted virtually. When I expressed my aspirations to pursue an academic career after graduation, Professor Li kindly introduced me to other esteemed Bayesian statisticians, such as Michele Guindani and Marina Vannucci.

In addition to engaging in academic activities, I took immense pleasure in exploring the serene cityscape by bicycle, admiring the charming pumpkin lanterns during Halloween and witnessing the beauty of the city’s sunsets.

How time flies! Half of my visit has already passed. I will enjoy my remaining time here and continue to interact and work with the wonderful people located here. I would like to express my most sincere gratitude to my host supervisor, Prof. Li, for his kindness and guidance, and to my supervisor, Prof. Fan, for his considerable support. I also thank the Department of Statistics for offering me such a wonderful opportunity.