Student Spotlight: Gege Gui, ScM '18

Gege Gui, ScM '18, is a PhD candidate in the Department of Biostatistics, graduating this May. Her thesis, which she successfully defended in January, was titled "Statistical Methods for Acute Myeloid Leukemia Research: From Cell to Population." Gege is currently a Research Scientist in Dr. Christopher Hourigan’s lab within the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion (VTC).

• Hometown: Huangshi, Hubei, China
• Previous Degrees: BS in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, Sun Yat-sen University. ScM in Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
• Current Program: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Starting Year: 2020
• Area of Focus: Statistical questions related with research in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. 

"Applying quantitative skills to real-world problems in public health has been deeply rewarding. Every small step we take helps build toward making healthcare better for everyone."

What led you to Hopkins and choosing to study biostatistics? 

I chose to pursue my master's degree at Hopkins because it has the best biostatistics program and I wanted to apply my mathematical background to public health challenges. After graduating, I joined Christopher Hourigan’s laboratory at the National Institute of Health (we moved last year to Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech Cancer Research Center in DC), focusing on research involving patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This experience affirmed that I wanted to pursue an academic career combining biostatistics and medicine, which led me to continue my PhD studies here.

What do you like most about the Biostatistics Department?

I greatly value the people and environment here. The faculty and staff provide tremendous support, and many, including my advisors Scott Zeger and Kasper Hansen, have become role models who represent the kind of researcher and mentor I aspire to be. My fellow students are not only talented but also collaborative.

Have you had any internships or jobs that have been helpful in your biostatistics learning journey?

My role as a statistical analyst in Dr. Hourigan's lab has deepened my understanding of how computational work directly impacts clinical research. Collaborating with colleagues from diverse backgrounds has created valuable learning opportunities, teaching me the importance of translating technical insights across disciplines to develop actionable recommendations for clinical research.

Tell us about a project you are currently working on that you are excited about.

We are currently working on MEASURE, which stands for Molecular Evaluation of AML patients after Stem cell transplant to Understand Relapse Events. This nationwide protocol has enrolled 304 patients across 18 centers, with an ongoing collection of longitudinal blood and bone marrow samples. We aim to establish a collaborative network to determine the optimal method for measurable residual disease testing. This dataset will be instrumental in developing a prediction model for post-transplant relapse risk in AML patients.

Can you share why the Biostatistics program is important to your career trajectory?

It is important for my career development because of the expert faculty mentorship and hands-on experience. In our coursework and research projects, we apply statistical methods to real public health challenges. Hopkins also gives us the opportunity to work closely with experts in public health and medicine.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

I encourage incoming students to actively participate in activities hosted by various research groups to explore potential research directions and discover their interests. Meeting with professors and current students from different labs will help with understanding the research cultures and inform academic path.

What do you enjoy most about working in public health? 

Applying quantitative skills to real-world problems in public health has been deeply rewarding. Every small step we take helps build toward making healthcare better for everyone.

MEET OUR STUDENTS