Hou Lab

Hou Lab

Principal Investigator

About

As an Assistant Professor (tenure-track) in the Department of Biostatistics at Columbia University, Dr. Wenpin Hou focuses on developing statistical machine learning methods to tackle the challenges at the intersection of statistics and data science (data in single-cell genomics, epigenomics and spatial transcriptomics), mathematical modeling of gene regulatory networks, and ultimately understanding gene regulatory mechanisms. She is particularly interested in developing methods for spatio-temporal patterns in single-cell and spatial genomics and epigenomics data. She actively contributes to collaborations in ENCODE4 consortium, various aspects of cancer, immunology, infectious disease, developmental processes, obesity, maternal and child health, and health disparity. The outcomes are expected to lead to uncovering the complex mechanisms of various diseases and biological contexts, and therefore lead to the development of targeted therapy that can benefit the broad community. In September 2023, Dr. Hou received the Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA) for Early Stage Investigators (R35) from NIH/NIGMS to develop methods for inferring and analyzing gene regulatory networks using single-cell multiomics and spatial genomics data.

Before that, as a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health mentored by Dr. Stephanie Hicks and Dr. Hongkai Ji, Dr. Hou received the NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) (1K99HG011468-01) from NIH/NHGRI in March 2021 (mentors: Dr. Hongkai Ji, Dr. Stephanie Hicks, and Dr. Andrew Feinberg), to develop computational methods for inferring single-cell DNA methylation and its spatial landscape. In addition, she worked with Dr. Suchi Saria in the Department of Computer Science and Dr. Aravinda Chakravarti in the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics on gene regulatory network inference using longitudinal transcriptomics and chromatin accessibility data. Dr. Hou received her Ph.D. in Mathematics with University Postgraduate Fellowships (UPF) and Postgraduate Scholarship (PGS) from The University of Hong Kong under the supervision of Dr. Wai-Ki Ching.

Dr. Hou is looking for students in all levels and two postdocs to work together on exciting research projects. Welcome to contact her or put her name in your application if you are interested.

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