We are hiring postdoc and data analyst!
For postdoc
We are looking for motivated candidates with expertise in bioinformatics/computational biology (gene regulatory network, epigenomics, deep learning, multi-omics integration) or medical genetics (function of genetic variants, QTL, G by E, genetic interaction, disease subtyping, polygenic risk score), and interested in exploring massive genetic, omic, phenotypic datasets available from Alzheimer’s Disease Sequencing Project (ADSP) and other consortia where we play active roles. Candidates are expected to have published first-authored paper(s) in prestigious journal in the fields above.
Please send your CV and research statement to leihou.hedun@gmail.com, titled “[BU postdoc application]”.
For data analyst
We are looking for self-driven candidates with rich experience with genetic/genomic data (WGS, ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, sc-RNAseq ), and familiar with various pipeline and softwares for quality control, normalization, batch effect correction, differential expression analysis, and etc.
Please send your CV to leihou.hedun@gmail.com, titled “[BU data analyst application]”.
Lei Hou (侯磊), Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine,
Section of Biomedical Genetics, Department of Medicine,
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
72 E. Concord St., Office E244A, Boston
Dr. Hou is a computational and systems biologist. He has over 15 years of research experience and has made significant contributions to the fields of regulatory genomics and disease genetics. In the past seven years at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dr. Hou has led several impactful projects, including study of human primordial germ cell differentiation with time series single-cell RNA-seq data, the study of genetics of m6A and H3K27ac signals and their implications in complex diseases, and the investigation of immune roles in bipolar disorder. he has collaborated with leading researchers from various institutions, including Harvard university, UCLA, Carnegie Mellon University, Mayo Clinic, Broad Institute, Mass General Hospital, Pfizer and Zhejiang University.
Dr. Hou has presented his research at several top-class national seminars and international conferences, including Broad Institute medical/population genetics and Cell Circuits/Epigenomics seminars, the American Society of Human Genetics Annual Meeting, the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Meeting on Systems Biology, and the CSHL Asia Meeting on Molecular Basis of Aging and Disease. Dr Hou’s co-first authored work has also been published in high-impact journals, including Cell Metabolism, Nature Genetics, Cell Reports, and Aging Cell.He also served as ad hoc reviewers for high-profiled journals including eLife, Aging Cell, Cell Reports, Frontiers in Genetics, Computers in Biology and Medicine, Current in Bioinformatics, Frontiers in Microbiology, Mathematical Biosciences, International Conference on Research in Computational Molecular Biology (RECOMB).
Dr. Hou received his BE degree in the Department of Automation, Tsinghua University (thesis supervisors: Drs. Xuegong Zhang and Jing-Dong Jackie Han), his Ph.D of bioinformatics from Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (Supervisor: Dr. Jing-Dong Jackie Han), his postdoc trainings at Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (with Dr. Jing-Dong Jackie Han), and at Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, MIT (with Dr. Manolis Kellis).
Current Mentees
Sanjana Hasyagar (since 2024.3)
Sanjana is a master’s student from bioinformatics program at Boston University. She is a passionate 24-year-old hailing from Bangalore, India, and a vibrant individual with a multifaceted identity. Her love for bioinformatics and computational biology propels her academic journey, showcased by her Master’s Degree from Boston University, MS, in Bioinformatics, and her Bachelor’s in Biotechnology Engineering from PES University, where she specialized in Computational Biology. Not only does she excel in the realm of science and technology, but she also finds solace and joy in the graceful art of Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance form. Beyond her academic and artistic pursuits, Sanjana finds serenity amidst the mountains, where she often seeks refuge and inspiration. Her diverse interests and accomplishments reflect a curious and driven individual, poised to make significant contributions to her fields of passion.
Jawahar Mahendran (since 2024.1)
Jawahar is a Master’s student in Bioinformatics at Boston University. Originally from Chennai, India, he completed his Bachelor’s in Biotechnology at Anna University before moving to the US for his graduate studies. Jawahar has a deep fascination with the world of biological data analysis and is thoroughly enjoying his immersion in this field. He joined the Hou Lab and played a key role in developing the cEpiReg database. Jawahar has an inquisitive mind and loves learning and trying new things. When not studying or in the library, he can be found marveling at the mysteries of space and astrobiology, playing Call of Duty, or exploring new unseen places he’s never been before.
Bhavana Kapalli (since 2024.1)
Bhavana is a Master’s student in Bioinformatics at Boston University. She completed her undergraduate studies in biochemistry at Maastricht University in the Netherlands, where she focused on constructing biological network pathways and conducting research on epilepsy. Bhavana contributed to the development of the cEpiReg database in the Hou Lab. Beyond her research pursuits, she enjoys traveling, sketching, hiking, and cooking.
Ting-Ting Fu (since 2024.1)
Ting-Ting is a Postdoctoral Associate at Boston University. She received her Ph.D of evolutionary genetics from Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (Supervisor: Dr. Jing Che). Ting-Ting is also interested in studying epigenetic regulation. She currently works on constructing context-specific TF-Enhancer-Gene networks across conditions. In addition, Ting-Ting has a wide range of hobbies including acrylic paintings, animations, traveling, playing computer games and shakuhachi (beginner).
Ryan Tong (Co-mentored with Dr. Manolis Kellis @MIT, since 2022.9)
Ryan is a rising high school junior at Basis Independent Brooklyn. He is an avid learner of Biology, Math, and Computer Science. Ryan’s hobbies include sailing and chess; you might often find him online at chess.com. Additionally, Ryan can also be found dying from butterfly during swim practice with his friends.
Yashi Gu (Co-mentored with Dr. Di Chen @ Zhejiang University , since 2021.10)
Yashi is a PhD student in Bioinformatics at University of Edinburgh (Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Chen lab website www.chenlab2019.com). She has worked in the integrative bioinformatic analysis of human primordial germ cells to reveal the developmental regulatory mechanism, and she is working in deep learning approaches to sturdy the post-transcriptional regulation. Yashi’s hobbies are basketball and badminton.
Previous Mentees
Neha Rao (2024.1-2024.5)
Neha is a driven bioinformatics major at Boston University with a passion for leveraging computational tools to unravel biological complexities. In the dynamic environment of the Hou Lab, Neha contributed to constructing the CEPIREG database. Her prior investigations span innovative realms, from pioneering machine learning techniques for precision cancer immunotherapy to crafting gene circuits aimed at detecting DNA mutations within cancer cells. Beyond the lab bench, Neha finds inspiration in the realms of art and travel, fueling her holistic approach to life and science.
Simon Mack (Co-mentored with Dr. Manolis Kellis @MIT, since 2023.4-2023.9)
Simon is a visiting master student from École Polytechnique & HEC program, Paris, one of the top business and engineer programs in France. Unrelated to the truck company and the Europa-Park resort families, Simon has worked in data science both in industry and academia and is currently living it up with Dr. Lei Hou at the Kellis Lab, researching the imputation of epigenomic marks using deep neural networks.
Judson Lam (Co-mentored with Dr. Manolis Kellis @MIT, since 2023.4-2023.8)
Judson is a rising junior undergraduate student at MIT (computer science + math. + biology).
Sundeep Chakladar (Co-mentored with Dr. Manolis Kellis @MIT, 2022.9-2023.8)
Sundeep is a rising senior undergraduate student at MIT (Biology + Chemistry + Science, Technology, Society). He is interested in building computational pipelines that uncover biological phenomena hidden within microcopy images and genetic data. Outside of research, I enjoy playing tennis, cooking with friends, and giving back to the Cambridge and Boston communities as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Sundeep is now admitted to WashU School of Medicine!
Aria Eppinger (Co-mentored with Dr. Manolis Kellis @MIT, 2022.9-2023.2)
Aria is an undergraduate student studying Computer Science and Molecular Biology at MIT. Her research interests include using computational approaches to analyze human health and disease and to improve online educational tools. She is also a member of the MIT Varsity Swimming and Diving Team.
Lilia Evgeniou (Co-mentored with Drs. Manolis Kellis and Xushen Xiong @MIT, 2021 summer)
Lilia is an incoming PhD student in the Harvard Systems Synthetic and Quantitative Biology course. She was previously at the University of Oxford studying Biochemistry, and had worked in Manolis Kellis’ group for a summer internship under the supervision of Lei Hou and Xushen Xiong, comparing different epigenomic signals.
Aman Patel (Co-mentored with Dr. Manolis Kellis @MIT, 2018.4-2020.5)
Aman Patel is a PhD student in Computer Science at Stanford, working with Anshul Kundaje on machine learning approaches to study the evolution of gene regulation. Previously, Aman received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from MIT, where he developed computational methods to identify novel Quantitative Trait Loci as part of Manolis Kellis’ lab.