Student Spotlight: Annie Xu
September 20, 2021
Meet Wanqiao Xu (Annie)
Incoming PhD student
HOMETOWN
China
PLACE LIVED PRIOR TO STANFORD
Ann Arbor, Michigan
ALMA MATER
University of Michigan
MAJOR
Honors Mathematics
Work and academic experiences
My interests in mathematics and its wide applications have led me to explore the subject of operations research further. I have done a research project in online learning to prove the efficiency of the sample average approximation method. Another project I've done is concerned with safe reinforcement learning in healthcare. I find the problems and focus of the operations research and operations management (OR/OM) group in MS&E especially suitable for me, and I'm very excited to pursue a PhD here.
Impact you hope to have in your field and the world
I hope to use my expertise in mathematics and engineering to design efficient and responsible algorithms to facilitate optimal decisions. More specifically, I hope to develop theoretical frameworks that help data-driven decision-making in healthcare, education, energy, management, etc.
Interests and hobbies
Sports: badminton, volleyball, swimming.
Hobbies: reading novels, philosophy, social science, and the sciences; writing essays and plays; painting (especially watercolor); music; Japanese animes; console games.