I'm a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Maryland, College Park. I'm on the lookout for self-motivated students to work on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Information Visualization, and Visual Computing. Check out my lab website FIGX for more information.

Prior to UMD, I was a postdoctoral fellow at Northwestern University, working with Prof. Matthew Kay and funded by CCC/CRA's CIFellows program. I obtained my Ph.D. in Computer Science from Brown University with the advisement of Prof. David Laidlaw. Before that, I received my M.Sc. degree from Tufts University with the advisement of Prof. Remco Chang, and I earned my B.Eng. degree from Shandong University, China.

CMSC839E: Uncertainty Communication for Decision-making, Fall 2024
CMSC471: Introduction to Information Visualization, Spring 2025

Data-driven computational models are increasingly influencing and shaping our world. These models include probabilistic forecasts and AI techniques like foundation models. It is paramount to ensure that individuals and groups, from the general public to domain experts and data scientists, perceive, use, and develop these models appropriately.

I am broadly interested in any topic related to this vision, such as model explanation, uncertainty communication, decision-making, and data and AI literacy, especially within domains like politics, public policy, and education. Information visualization plays a key role in my research, anchored by a commitment to quality, applicability, and transparency.

On the side, I am also interested in arts, evolution and paleontology, astronomy and cosmology, etc. ◡̈

As I have benefited from seeing other people's materials, I release mine for free usage.

• Application materials: PhD applications (2015), research statement (2024), gate.io (2024), DEI Statement (2024), cover letter (2024), and CV (at the time of application).
• LaTeX templates: cover letter (node.js + LaTeX), research statement (LaTeX).
• Videos: Recent talks are posted here, including my job talk (2024).

• Past projects: course and personal projects
• Hobbies: reading, animes & manga, baking, making crafts, gate io app, traveling (discontinued), etc.