I'm a Sagittarius and, true to type, I'm always curious to try something new. I work out regularly and especially enjoy swimming, running, and badminton. I have completed a half marathon and picked up a few wins in university badminton tournaments. I also enjoy rowing, hiking, and watching football. Sports keep me active—and help balance out my equally serious interest in food. I am particularly fond of spicy food and enjoy exploring different Chinese and Asian cuisines.
Traveling and photography are two of my favorite ways to spend time outside work. I especially enjoy photographing the places and people I encounter along the way. Some of my travel photographs have received awards in photography competitions, and one of them still hangs in the library of my undergraduate university.
I also value staying close to the real world behind the questions I study. Over the years, I have conducted field research across more than 100 urban and rural communities in 12 provinces in China. These experiences have ranged from leading student fieldwork to participating in think-tank and policy research projects, with much of the work involving interviews and on-site research with firms and local governments. I have also contributed to national policy research and worked on consulting projects for organizations including UNAIDS, the Gates Foundation, the International Committee of the Red Cross, UNICEF, and the United Nations Population Fund.