
Profiles
Dr Yinghui Wei
Associate Professor of Statistics
School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics (Faculty of Science and Engineering)
- Applied statistics
- Statistical methodology
- Clinical trials
- Observational studies
Email publicrelations@plymouth.ac.uk to enquire.
Biography
Biography
I am Associate Professor of Statistics in School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics at University of Plymouth, where I lead the MSc Health Data Science and Statistics programme, chair School Equality Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and co-lead the big data group. I led the School's successful Athena SWAN Bronze application in 2020, and led a cross-faculty team for the establishment of the new MSc Health Data Science and Statistics for September 2022 launch. I also hold an honorary/visiting appointment in Bristol Medical School at University of Bristol. I am an associated member of National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula (PenARC).
Prior to joining Plymouth, I was Investigator Scientist (Statistician) in MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, Career Development Fellow in Biostatistics in MRC Biostatistics Unit at University of Cambridge, and Research Fellow in School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham. I completed my PhD and MSc in Statistics in 2008 and 2004, respectively, from the School of Mathematics, The University of Manchester.
My primary research interests include the development of statistical methodology and the substantive applications to medicine, clinical trials, observational studies and evidence synthesis, as well as using data to answer health-related research questions. I have supervised 4 PhD students towards successful completion, leading to publications in Journal of Applied Statistics, Biometrical Journal, and Carbon.
I led an impact case study "Improved health research and practice through advancing statistical methods and applications" for REF2021 UoA10 Mathematical Sciences. I was a Statistical Editor for Cochrane developmental psychosocial and learning problems review group (2011-2023). I sit on Royal Society's International Exchanges Committee and on Royal Statistical Society President Nominating Committee.
Qualifications
Academic qualifications:
- PhD in Statistics, School of Mathematics, University of Manchester, UK, 2008
- MSc in Statistics (with Distinction), School of Mathematics, University of Manchester, UK, 2004
- BSc in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, Northwest University, China, 2003
- Accredited Researcher, Office for National Statistics, 2021
- Fellow, Higher Education Academy, 2014
- Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice, University of Plymouth, UK, 2014
- Associate Professor of Statistics, University of Plymouth, UK, 2019 – Present
- Lecturer in Statistics, University of Plymouth, UK, 2013 – 2019
- Investigator Scientist, Medical Research Council, UK, 2009 – 2013
- Research Fellow (Welcome Trust), University of Nottingham, UK, 2008 – 2009
Honorary Appointments:
- Visiting Senior Research Fellow, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, 2021 – Present
Professional membership
- Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
- Member of the London Mathematical Society
Roles on external bodies
- Member, Royal Society International Exchanges Panel (01/01/2023 – Present)
- Member, Royal Statistical Society President Nominating Committee
- I regularly act as a peer reviewer for grant proposals for the UKRI Medical Research Council, and National Institute for Health and Care Research
- Member, Statistical Advisory Board, WHO Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis of Zika Virus Consortium as part of the research response to epidemics (2018 – Present)
- Statistical Editor, Cochrane Developmental Psychosocial Learning Problems Group (2015 – 2023; Associate Statistical Editor, 2011 – 2015)
- Member, Cochrane Statistical Methods Group (2011 – Present)
- Chair, Royal Statistical Society South West Local Group (2021 – Present; Secretary 2017 – 2020; Committee Member 2014 – 2016)
Teaching
Teaching
Teaching interests
Staff serving as external examiners
2022 – , External Examiner, "MSc Data Science", "BSc Statistics", "BSc Data Science and Analytics", Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Essex
2020, External PhD Examiner, Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Essex
2019, External PhD Examiner, Department of Health Data Science, University of Liverpool
Research
Research
Research interests
I recently hold an MRC fellowship grant to make use of big data from cohort studies and electronic health records within the Trusted Research Environments, such as the OpenSAFELY and UK Longitudinal Linkage Collaboration Secure e-Research Platform, to investigate COVID-19 epidemiology and its impact on public health.
My primary research interest is in developing statistical methodology and the substantive applications to medicine, clinical trials, observational studies and evidence synthesis. Specific areas include:
- Bayesian inference
- Clinical prediction models
- Evidence synthesis and meta-analysis (including multiple outcomes, multiple treatments and diagnostic tests meta-analysis)
- Modelling and analysis of infectious diseases epidemiology (including Cowpox virus, healthcare-associated infection, Zika virus and COVID-19)
- Survival analysis
I have a software package in Stata: ipdfc
Wei Y. and Royston P. IPDFC: Stata module to reconstruct individual participant data from a published Kaplan-Meier curve (link)
Other research
Centre for Mathematical Sciences
Oral Health Services and Clinical Epidemiology Research Group
Research degrees awarded to supervised students
- M. Howe: A probabilistic dental treatment risk index (co-supervisor)
- L. Zhang: Bayesian multi-level survival models (Director of Studies)
- S. Riley: Using big data to develop and validate clinical prediction models for survival outcomes following kidney transplant (Director of Studies)
- K. Jagoda: Statistical methods in electronic health records research (Director of Studies)
- L. Ellaway: Enhancing Understanding of long COVID using novel mathematical clustering techniques (co-supervisor)
- M. Dogan: Biosensors for detection of Alzheimer disease biomarkers (co-supervisor)
- Q. Zhang: (Overseas supervisor, Yunnan University), visiting 2022 -2024
- B. Duan: (Overseas supervisor, Yunnan University and Chinese Academy of Sciences), visiting 2022 - 2024
- J. Li: Survival analysis (Overseas supervisor, Yunnan University), visiting 2021 - 2022
- Y. Zhou: Spatial-temporal modelling (Overseas supervisor, Yunnan University), visiting 2021 - 2022
Grants & contracts
Externally funded projects:
01/02/2023 – 31/01/2027, Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network, Peripheral Biomarker Based Combinatorial Early Diagnostics for Dementia (CombiDiag), €2.8M (£265, 251 to Plymouth). Coordinator / PI Stefan T, Pan G, Plymouth Co-I Wei Y, Sherriff I.
2023 – 2025, China Scholarship Council International Cooperative Program for Innovative Talents: Yunnan-Plymouth Joint Doctoral Training Programme in Statistical Science. PI Tang N; Plymouth PI Wei Y. (renewal from the 2020 - 2022 programme grant funded by the China Scholarship Council).
01/10/2022 – 31/03/2026, EPSRC DTP (2738361), "Enhancing Understanding of Long COVID Using Novel Mathematical Clustering Techniques", £79,506. Lead Applicant Broomhead N, Co-applicant Wei Y, Stander J and Pirashvili M.
01/09/2022 – 31/08/2024, NIHR (302739), "Risk factors for adverse health outcomes following kidney transplantation", £89,205. NIHR Pre-Doctoral Fellow Gray J; Primary Supervisor Wei Y, Co-Supervisor Tse W, Connor A.
01/08/2022 – 31/07/2023, EPSRC IAA, "Using data and analytical approaches to improve healthcare services for patient and public benefit", £5,000. PI Wei Y; Co-I Stander J, Broomhead N, Prime S, Asthana S.
01/04/2022– 1/10/2023, Royal Academy of Engineering Diversity Impact Programme, "Embedding Systemic Inclusion for Neurodiverse and Disabled Engineering Students", £93,667. PI Khan A, Co-I Craven M, Wei Y, Outram N, Besinis A, Lavelle M, Simmonds D.
1/10/2021 – 30/09/2022, MRC Fellowship (MR/W021358/1): "Using data to improve public health: COVID-19 secondment", £117,805, PI Wei Y. This fellowship is part of the COVID-19 Longitudinal Health and Wellbeing National Core Study (NCS) award, NCS PI Chaturvedi N, Sterne J.
03/2021, London Mathematical Society (WiM 20-21 04): Women in Mathematics Day, £1,600. Lead Applicant: Wei Y; Co-applicant: Broomhead N, Christopher C and Robertz D.
2020 – 2022, China Scholarship Council International Cooperative Program for Innovative Talents: Yunnan-Plymouth Joint Doctoral Training Programme in Statistical Science, PI Tang N; Plymouth PI Wei Y.
1/10/2020 – 30/09/2024, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (Ref: 1374) and EPSRC DTP (Ref: EP/T518153/1: 2432390): "Using big data to develop and validate clinical prediction models for survival outcomes in kidney transplant", £84,786 (with £34,000 from NHS). PI Wei Y, Co-I Connor A, TSE W, Rowe P, Tan K.
04/2019 – 12/2020, GlaxoSmithKline (Ref: 8894): “An assessment of the sensitivity to change of a scale to measure quality of life in patients with severe asthma”, awarded in 2018, £55,754. CI Masoli M, PI Jones R, Co-I Hyland M, Wei Y, Lanario J.
04/2019 – 04/2020, GlaxoSmithKline (Ref: 8893): “Further validation of a scale to measure quality of life in patients with severe asthma”, awarded in 2018, £44,503. CI Masoli M, PI Jones R, Co-I Hyland M, Wei Y, Lanario J.
07/2016 – 01/2018, NIHR RfPB (PB-PG-0215-36117): “A systematic review of physical activity for alcohol and substance use disorders: evidence synthesis with stakeholder engagement to formulate practical recommendations”, awarded in 2015, £154,528. PI Thompson T; Co-I Husk K, Nasser M, Kandiyali R, Wei Y, Wallace G, Taylor A, Neale J, Sinclair J, Creanor S.
Publications
Publications
Key publications
Key publications are highlighted
JournalsPersonal
Personal
Reports & invited lectures
- Wei Y., Broomhead N., Christopher C. and Robertz D. (2021) "Report: LMS Women in Mathematics Day 2021", London Mathematical Society Newsletter, Issue 495, July 2021, 19-20.
- Wei Y. (2019) "South West local group meeting: Network Time Series".
- Wei Y. (2019) “South West local group meeting: Modelling numbers of births” .
- Wei Y. (2018) “South West local group meeting: Evidence synthesis in health” .
- 2023: Webinar: "Improved health research and practice through advancing statistical methods and applications - sharing experience from constructing a REF2021 impact case study", Association of British Chinese Professors, Impact Case Webinar Series.
- 2023: Seminar: "Factors associated with clinically coded long COVID: big data analytics using OpenSAFELY", Community and Primary Care Research Group, University of Plymouth
- 2022: Seminar: "What is a Trusted Research Environment?", Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Plymouth
- 2022: Poster: "Risk factors for long COVID: big data analytics using OpenSAFELY", Royal Statistical Society International Conference, Aberdeen
- 2022: Contributed talk: "Bivariate copula regression models for semi-competing risks", Royal Statistical Society International Conference, Aberdeen
- 2022: Invited talk: "Using data to improve public health: COVID secondment - Overview of Experience", COVID-19 Longitudinal Health and Wellbeing National Core Study Workshop, UCL
- 2022: Invited talk: "Risk factors for long COVID", COVID-19 Longitudinal Health and Wellbeing National Core Study Workshop, UCL
- 2020: Invited talk, "The arts and techniques of online teaching for mathematics and statistics", Shanghai Polytechnic University
- 2019: Contributed talk, "Estimating the correlation between bivariate survival endpoints", Royal Statistical Society International Conference, Belfast
- 2019: Invited talk, "Statistical Applications in Medical Sciences", INSPIRE Interdisciplinary Meeting, Plymouth.
- 2018: Invited talk, "Survival analysis of patients following kidney transplantation" (with Lexy Sorrell), South West Transplant Centre Annual Transplant Day, Totnes.
- 2018: Invited talk, "Survival analysis: from individual level data to aggregate data", Yunnan University, China.
- 2018: Invited talk, "Survival analysis: from individual level data to aggregate data", AUFE, China.
- 2017: Invited talk, "Restricted mean survival time: from individual level data to aggregate data", CMStatistics 2017, University of London, London.
- 2017: Session chair, "Recent Advances in Research Synthesis Methods", CMStatistics 2017, University of London, London.
- 2017: Contributed talk, "Using published Kaplan-Meier curves to reconstruct time-to-event data for secondary analyses", Royal Statistical Society International Conference, Glasgow.
- 2017: Contributed poster, "Hierarchical Bayesian models for road traffic accidents", Royal Statistical Society International Conference, Glasgow.
- 2016: Invited lecture, "Introduction to Design and Analysis of Clinical Trials", postgraduate summer school, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu.
- 2015: Invited seminar, "The use of restricted mean survival time in meta-analysis of clinical trials with time-to-event outcomes". University of Exeter, Exeter.
- 2014: Invited seminar, "Meta-analysis of survival data using restricted mean survival time", University of Essex, Colchester.
- 2013: Contributed talk, "Analysis of survival data from trials with non-proportional hazards". Clinical Trials Methodology Conference: Methodology Matters, Edinburgh.
- 2013: Contributed talk, "Network Meta-analysis", Methodology Theme Meeting, MRC Clinical Trials Unit, London.
- 2012: Contributed poster, "Bayesian multivariate meta-analysis with many outcomes", 33rd Annual Conference of International Society for Clinical Biostatistics, Bergen.
- 2011: Contributed talk, "Bayesian multivariate meta-analysis with many outcomes", Methods in Meta-analysis Meeting, Royal Statistical Society, London.
- 2010: Internal Seminar, "Multivariate meta-analysis with multiple outcomes", MRC Biostatistics Unit, Cambridge.
- 2010: Invited lecture, "Introduction to Meta-analysis", Shanghai Nottingham Systematic Review Course, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai.
- 2007: Poster presentation, "An epidemic model for discrete data in dynamic population", Manchester Research Student Conference in Statistics and Probability, University of Manchester.
- 2007: Contributed talk, "Statistical inference about epidemics in dynamic population", Research Student Conference in Statistics and Probability, Durham, UK.