- Hometown: Wuhan, China
- Program & Year: MS Thesis, second year
- Advisors: Jan Graffelman (Thesis advisor); Ting Ye (Research instructor)
- More Information: Zhilong's Page
“I study biostatistics because I care about public health and its combination with statistical methods”
Q&A
What motivated you to pursue an MS in biostatistics?
I lived in Wuhan city with my family in 2020, where we faced the early outbreak of COVID-19. I witnessed the fear and confusion caused by unscientific responses, the costs of disorganization, and endured a six-month citywide lockdown. This experience drove me to shift from pure mathematics to a more applied area that could address public health challenges. Biostatistics was the perfect choice that combined my passion for math with my desire to contribute to public health research.
Why UW Biostatistics and not another university?
UW has one of the best biostatistics departments in the world, known for its rigorous statistical training and strong research culture. This program was always one of my top choices due to my mathematical background and my passion for methodology research.
How would you describe your experience as a UW Biostatistics student?
My experience at UW Biostatistics has been incredible. The professors are not only passionate but also willing to provide meticulous guidance. My peers are both intelligent and supportive, fostering a collaborative and encouraging learning environment. The small cohort size has made it easy to bond with others and fit in a close-knit community with the whole department.
What research are you currently involved with and what is your role?
Currently, I am working with Dr. Ting Ye on a Mendelian Randomization project. We are trying to propose an innovative estimator to draw causal inferences from multiple exposures on multiple outcomes, using genetic variables as instruments and reduced rank regression. This method could provide an efficient estimator to address multivariate causal problems with unmeasured confounding. Moreover, the reduced rank approach is also performed as a feature selection tool that has potential interpretation usage to discover hidden causal mechanisms.
What are your future plans and have they changed since you started your degree program?
When transitioning from a pure math background to biostatistics, I was initially uncertain about whether to pursue a career in industry or continue with a PhD program. However, over the past year at UW Biostatistics, I have discovered my passion for biostatistical research and realized my potential in this field. I am now determined to pursue a PhD in biostatistics to continue engaging in impactful research.
What advice would you give to a student who is considering the UW Biostatistics MS thesis program?
This program is a fantastic opportunity to explore your research interests, receive advanced training in biostatistics, and collaborate with experts on diverse public health topics. Whether your goal is to pursue a career in industry or a PhD program, UW Biostatistics’ MS Thesis program provides the skills, support, and research experience necessary to achieve your aspirations.
