Statistical Genetics and Genomics Laboratory

PI: Hongzhe Li
Professor of Biostatistics
Memeber, Genomics and Computational Biology Graduate Group

Welcome to the Hongzhe Li's Statistical Genetics and Genomics Laboratory. Our lab is within the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology in University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and is conducting both methodological and collaborative research in the area of statistical genetics/genomics, with the goal of understanding the genetic and genomic bases of complex biological systems, including initiation and development of complex human diseases.

Working with Penn collaborators, we are currently developing methods for genome-wide association studies of neuroblastoma and childhood obesity. In the area of statistical genomics, our recent research has focused on developing statistical and computational methods for analysis of genetic pathways and networks. See Selected Publications for some of the latest papers by our group.

Positions: Positions open for postdoctoral fellows, working on statistical methods for analysis of genetic and genomic data.

Assistant: Donna Zikowitz, (215) 573-2728.

People in the lab

  • Hongzhe Li, Faculty member (See Dr. Li's CV, pdf file),)
  • Ramon Xulvi-Brunet (PhD, Humboldt-Univeritaet), Postdoc researcher
  • Hokeun Sun (PhD, University of Michigan), Postdoc researcher
  • Jichun Xie, PhD student
  • Le Nguyen, PhD stduent (joint with John Maris)
  • Caiyan Li, PhD student
  • Iris De Rink, Exchange student (Hanze University Groningen)
  • Shannon Chuai, PhD student
  • Jun Chen, GCB Rotation student.


    • Former PhD students and postdoctoral fellows and their current positions
  • Xiaoyun Zhong (Ph.D in Statistics, 2003, UC Davis), Biostatistician, Forest Laboratories, InC., NYC.
  • Fangxin Hong (Ph.D in Statistics, 2004, UC Davis), Scientist, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston.
  • Chun Zhang (Ph.D in Statistics, 2004, UC Davis), Biostatistician, Roche Palo Alto, CA
  • Jiang Gui (Ph.D in Statistics, 2005 UC Davis), Assistant Professor, Dartmouth Medical School.
  • Luan Yihui (Postdoc, 2001-2004), Pprofessor, Shandong University.
  • Sun, Wanlong (Postdoc, 2001-2004),Lecturer, Peking University.
  • Yingxue (Cathy) Liu (Postdoc, 2007-2008), Biometrician, Merck.
  • Lifeng Wang (Postdoc, 2006-2008), Assistant Professor, Michigan State University.
  • Zhi Wei (PhD. in Genomics/Bioinformatics, 2008, Penn), Assistant Professor, New Jersey Institute of Technology.
  • Stefano Monni (Postdoc, 2006-2008), Assistant Professor, Cornell University Medical College.


    • Computer programs and Preprints
    Go here for a collection of computer programs developed by our lab.




    For further information, contact

    Hongzhe Li, Ph.D. 

    Department of Biostistics and Epidemiology 
    University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
    920 Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive
    Philadelphia, PA 19104-6021 
    Phone: (215) 573-5038
    Fax: (215) 573-4865.

    hongzhe AT mail DOT med DOT upenn DOT edu