Leading Data Scientist appointed Head of PenCHORD Group

A leading data scientist with extensive experience in leadership and EDI roles has been appointed as the Head of Exeter’s Data Science Group.

Professor Yinghui Wei, who has been appointed Professor of Data Science in Applied Health at Exeter, will also be leading PenCHORD (the Peninsula Collaboration for Health Operational Research and Data Science) and working across the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences in Applied Health data science.

Yinghui joins from the University of Plymouth where she was Associate Head of School (Resources) for the School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics. She was also Chair of the School EDI Committee and Athena Swan Self-Assessment Team among other leadership roles.

Her primary research interests are in developing statistical methodology and its substantive applications to medicine, clinical trials, observational studies and evidence synthesis, as well as using data to improve population health and healthcare services.

Professor Wei said: “I’m delighted to join the University of Exeter as Professor of Data Science in Applied Health. With its global reputation for research excellence, strong infrastructure, and commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, Exeter offers an outstanding environment to drive breakthroughs that deliver lasting impact as scale.

“Together, we will build on Exeter’s strengths in data science, AI and applied health to develop data-driven solutions that transform human health and wellbeing. By working across the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, the wider University, and in partnership with key stakeholders and strategic collaborators, we’ll advance research, education, and innovation in data science to improve health and healthcare for communities regionally and globally.”

Yinghui is vastly experienced in the development and validation of clinical prediction models, epidemiological studies and modelling, statistical methods for evidence synthesis, and modelling complex health data. She has worked in various disease areas, including COVID-19, Zika virus, cardiovascular diseases, renal diseases, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, mental illnesses, and hospital-acquired infections. She is also the Health Data Research UK Training Lead for the South West.

Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the Exeter Medical School, Professor Richard Holland, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Yinghui, who brings a wealth of experience in data science research and in leadership, to further boost our growing strength at the University of Exeter. Data science underpins so much of our research; so I’m certain Yinghui’s appointment will be extremely beneficial for us.”

Yinghui joins Exeter on 1 September 2025.