For Zhong Weibin and Ma Xiaoyang, love means going through ups and downs together and supporting each other to be better people. Starting from UIC, they went to the US for further study and work and have been together for nine years as classmates, a couple, and partners who grow together in their academic careers.
Ma Xiaoyang (left) and Zhong Weibin
Ma Xiaoyang
2016 STAT graduate
Obtained a Master's Degree in Biostatistics at Georgetown University
and a Doctoral degree in Chemistry at George Mason University
Advanced Biostatistician in Bristol Myers Squibb, US
Zhong Weibin
2016 STAT graduate
Obtained a Master's Degree in Biostatistics at Georgetown University
Doctoral student in Biostatistics at Georgetown University
In 2012, Zhong Weibin and Ma Xiaoyang were admitted to the Statistics (STAT) Programme and met at an ice-breaking activity for first-year students where they happened to be in the same group. Through the game, they all had fond impressions of each other. Since then, they had more conversations, gradually became more familiar and then fell in love.
Inspired by respected teachers at UIC
Zhong Weibin and Ma Xiaoyang are both the students of Prof Fang Kai-Tai from the Division of Science and Technology. Speaking of the enlightenment of their scientific research, they feel highly grateful for their beloved teacher Prof Fang, an internationally reputable statistician.
During the last summer vacation at UIC, they prepared final year projects. Prof Fang and Dr Deng Yuhui formed a study group for Zhong Weibin, Ma Xiaoyang and other students to discuss research subjects. They offered supervision every week, motivating them to study hard on the research. After the oral thesis defence, the group members had lunch with Prof Fang for celebration. Prof Fang shared his life experience and solutions to difficulties, which also inspired them.
Ma Xiaoyang, Zhong Weibin and Prof Fang
Moreover, with the guidance and encouragement of Prof Fang, they published academic papers during their undergraduate years. For example, at the 2016 9th International Congress on Image and Signal Processing and International Conference on BioMedical Engineering and Informatics (CISP-BMEI 2016), Zhong Weibin, Prof Fang and Dr Deng Yuhui published an essay on Image Encryption by Using Magic Squares. While Ma Xiaoyang issued a research article with Prof Fang and Dr Deng on Special Matrices.
After graduating from UIC, they went to Georgetown University in America to pursue a Master’s Degree in Biostatistics. Ma Xiaoyang says that they benefited greatly from the special learning mode of UIC, including English teaching, group assignments, presentations, etc. These all helped them do research when studying for their master’s and doctoral degrees. This straight-A couple study and grow together by discussing problems, giving each other suggestions, and learning new knowledge.
Xiaoyang and Weibin at Georgetown University
The happy couple
The experience of studying abroad makes them understand more about one another and the essence of responsibility. In 2020, the outbreak of the COVID-19 prevented them from going back to China. On the Chinese New Year’s Eve of that year, hearing Ma Xiaoyang say she felt homesick, Zhong Weibin advanced the intended proposal which was initially planned for Valentine’s Day and decided to make Xiaoyang feel at home right away. At the end of 2021, they registered at the court of Maryland as husband and wife.
“After going through tears and laughter together over the years, we know each other very well. I want to give you home right here to make you less homesick. Please allow me to take care of you for the rest of our lives,” Zhong Weibin proposed.
For Ma Xiaoyang, Zhong Weibin takes good care of her. After finishing his PhD, Zhong Weibin works as a senior biostatistician in Bristol Myers Squibb, a world-renowned pharmaceutical company. He has to drive for three and half hours to another state on business every other week, but he always thoughtfully prepares the recipe and food ingredients for Ma Xiaoyang before leaving home. At the same time, Ma Xiaoyang is writing her PhD dissertation on the research of data models in the medical field and has received an offer from a well-known multinational pharmaceutical group.
Stepping into a new stage of life, Zhong Weibin and Ma Xiaoyang plan to accumulate more working experience before returning to China. They will continue to go hand in hand in the biopharmaceutical field.
From MPRO
Reporter: Wang Qianhan
Photos provided by the interviewees
Editors: Covee Wang, Deen He
