From Research Labs to Opera Stages: Scholar Transforms Air Pollution Research and Cultural Engagement

Tell us about your research interest and why you were drawn to it.

I have a personal connection to the study of air pollution as I grew up in China and moved to the US at the age of six. I became acutely aware of the severity of the issue in 2015 when Beijing issued its first Red Alert for air pollution.

This coincided with the year I was studying for my master's degree. Witnessing my grandparents being confined indoors during these hazardous air pollution events deeply frustrated me as I believe that clean air should be a right for everyone.

Because of this, I focused my master's thesis on studying air pollution in China, and this has since become a significant part of my work.

Aside from my research endeavors, singing and classical music have always been my greatest passions. I have been an active volunteer at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, as well as a member of the Barnard-Columbia Chorus since 2015. I perform as a soloist at least twice a year and occasionally give recitals.

I am incredibly grateful to live by my motto: "Professor by day, opera singer by night!"

What brought you to Beijing and what are you currently working on?

During my doctoral studies, I focused on air pollution and its impact on health, with a significant portion of my research conducted in China. I collaborated with researchers in Beijing and maintained these connections until the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted them. Thanks to the resident opportunity offered by the Beijing Global Center, I was able to reignite some of these existing connections in Beijing and explore opportunities for new collaborations this summer.

My current research centers around air pollution prediction modeling using satellite data and machine learning algorithms. Additionally, I am investigating the relationship between air pollution and childhood immune function. These topics differ greatly from my previous doctoral studies but are both of great interest to me.

Air pollution modeling has garnered considerable interest, and I am currently developing models for various locations, including Mexico, Israel, the US, and China. The connection between air pollution and immune function is a relatively unexplored area, and I plan to delve into the relationship between air pollution and vaccine antibody levels for routine vaccinations.

If we uncover any significant results, our plan is to expand the study to look at additional environmental exposures and different types of vaccine antibodies, including those for COVID-19.

Can you talk about how the Scholar-in-Residence program helped you explore new dimensions in your discipline and enhance global engagement?

I had a fantastic experience with the SIR program, which opened new doors and offered opportunities I wouldn't have had otherwise. It helped me reconnect with my research partners in China and also introduced me to new researchers.

One of the highlights was giving a public lecture on the history of air pollution and its impact on health at the Beijing American Center at the US Embassy, which allowed me to connect with the Environment, Science, Technology, and Health (ESTH) sector of the embassy and meet members of the public interested in my research. 

While in Beijing, the Beijing Center also supported me in hosting the very first alumni gathering for the QMSS program in the city, which celebrated the program's 25th anniversary. It was a great opportunity to meet with fellow alumni and incoming students, share updates on the program, and discuss industry trends and career opportunities.

Who are the artists (singers, writers, or others) that have inspired you?

There are many artists that I admire, so it's hard to pick just a few!

But off the top of my head, I can mention Franz Schubert, Walt Whitman, Bryn Terfel, and Samuel Ramey. While I have a strong interest in classical music, I also really enjoy Chinese pop music. One of my favorite singers is Jonathan Lee (李宗盛).

I am very thankful for the support from the Beijing Center in helping me pursue my artistic interests and organizing a cross-disciplinary recital centered around the theme of Walt Whitman. This event combined poems, musical performances, and discussions, something I've wanted to do for years.

It was a great success, and I hope to present it again in NYC in the near future.