Statistical methodology research focuses on survival analysis, longitudinal data analysis, machine learning, meta-analysis and study designs. My applied research interests include the study of cancer, radiology, transmittable disease, heart diseases, environmental health and health behavior.
My colleagues and I want to answer specific research questions by performing advanced statistical methodology to find the unknown risk features of fatal diseases and chronic conditions.
We have uncovered several notable discoveries in our lab, such as refractory hypertension not being categorized by excess aldosteronism or larger fluid retention related to controlled resistance hypertension (RHTN). If confirmed, this would have important implications for patients' clinical management in that continued titration of diuretic therapy and/or mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists may not be appropriate. It may even be counterproductive because it may activate reflexive pressor responses and may raise the risk of adverse events.
In addition, our paper Quantitative MRI of fatty liver disease in a large pediatric cohort: correlation between liver fat fraction, stiffness, volume, and patient-specific factors reports that the liver volume, stiffness and fat fraction are linked and related to various patient-specific features. These connections require further study since magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is gradually utilized as a non-invasive biomarker for fatty liver disease diagnosis and examination.
I’ve held various positions, including lead statistician for the Collaborative Antiviral Study Group (CASG) and deputy director of the Statistical and Data Management Center of Mycoses Study Group (MSG). I’ve also been a Steering Committee member for the Consortium of Hospitals to Advance Research on Tobacco (CHART) trials.
I enjoy applying what I’ve learned and developing new methods to improve people’s health. Additionally, I have received multiple awards and recognitions throughout my career, including:
I have more than 10 years’ experience in biostatistics and joined the team at Cincinnati Children’s in 2012. My research has been published in a multitude of journals, such as Biometrics, Radiology, Journal of Hip Preservation Surgery, Hypertension and Journal of the American College of Radiology.
BS: University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.
PhD: University of Missouri, Columbia, MO.
Biostatistics and Epidemiology
Serum renin and prorenin concentrations predict severe persistent acute kidney injury and mortality in pediatric septic shock. Pediatric Nephrology. 2023; 38:3099-3108.
Acute kidney injury biomarker olfactomedin 4 predicts furosemide responsiveness. Pediatric Nephrology. 2023; 38:3153-3161.
Trends in Anesthesia/Sedation for Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Encounters in Pediatric Emergency Departments, 2012-2022. JAMA Pediatrics. 2023; 177.
Respiratory-Triggered Flow-Independent Noncontrast Non-ECG-Gated MRV (REACT) Versus CE-MRV for Central Venous Evaluation in Children and Young Adults: A Six-Reader Study. American Journal of Roentgenology. 2023; 221:240-248.
Image or scope: Magnetic resonance imaging and endoscopic testing for exocrine and endocrine pancreatic insufficiency in children. Pancreatology : official journal of the International Association of Pancreatology (IAP) ... [et al.]. 2023; 23:437-443.
Virtual Reality to Assess Resident Recognition of Impending Respiratory Failure During COVID-19. Hospital Pediatrics. 2023; 13:e2022006917.
Longitudinal changes in quantitative magnetic resonance imaging metrics in children and young adults with autoimmune liver disease. Abdominal Radiology. 2023; 48:1933-1944.
Adverse cardiac remodeling is absent in patients with true controlled resistant hypertension. Journal of Clinical Hypertension. 2023; 25:416-425.
Safety and Efficacy of Combined Resveratrol and Sirolimus in Lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Chest. 2023; 163:1144-1155.
MRI Findings in Third-Trimester Opioid-Exposed Fetuses, With Focus on Brain Measurements: A Prospective Multicenter Case-Control Study. American Journal of Roentgenology. 2023; 220:418-427.