Xilin Jiang (江熹霖)

I am a statistical geneticist working on using molecular data to explain health outcomes. I am particularly interested in how additional data modality could enhance our current understanding of diseases.

I am broadly interested in two themes of research:

• Methodology development: I am interested in developing statistical methods to understand the molecular architecture (DNA, RNA, proteomics, metabolomics) of health outcomes (disease, treatment responses, comorbidity). In statistical terminology, I work on dimension reduction, longitudinal analysis, efficient inference methods, and causal inference.
• Translational research: We are collaborating with the NHS to develop tools and resources for computing risk scores using polygenic models, protein/metabolite levels, and e-health records. We work closely with clinical teams to investigate potential applications including clinical trials, treatment response prediction, and risk stratification.

If you are interested in working with us, check the opportunities page! Currently there are PhD positions at Cambridge PhD in Public Health (need to find external funding).

My research is funded by a Wellcome Early-Career award. I have a primary affiliation at Cambridge University and a secondary affiliation at Harvard School of Public Health. I have close collaboration with Professor Alkes Price at Harvard School of Pulic health, Professor Mike Inouye, and Professor John Danesh at University of Cambridge. Previously I held a one-year transition British Heart Foundation career development fellowship (2022-2023). I got my DPhil in Genomic Medicine and Statistics from Oxford University, funded by a Rhodes Scholarship and a Wellcome Trust studentship. I received a BSc from Fudan University with an overall top GPA. I have experience in other computational biology topics, including infectious diseases (as a consultant to the Gates Foundation and China CDC on COVID response) and computational neuroscience (as an undergraduate researcher with Professor Thomas Yeo and Professor David Heeger).

During my PhD study, I enjoyed Oxford life through many (perhaps too many) events. I delivered the scholar address (name for a student speech delivered at the scholarship graduating ceremony) for the Rhodes scholar class of 2017; I organised two Rhodes China Trips; I kept supporting Rhodes Scholarship for China through multiple types of (volunteering) services.

I raced middle distance for my undergraduate college and tried triathlons at Oxford. I occasionally race local runs from 5k up to marathon to maintain fitness. Besides all this, I am an avid cook and was an apprentice under a chef specialised in Huai-Yang (淮扬菜) cuisine.

For English speakers, my name is pronounced Xi-lin (SHYEE-lin; 熹霖) Jiang (JYAHNG; 江); “Xi” is a common pronunciation in Mandarin, and my name 熹 is one of the 437 distinct Chinese characters that share this pronunciation.