Dong Pei, Ph.D.

Professional Background

Dr. Dong Pei is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Biostatistics and Data Science. His research focus on the development and application of bioinformatics and machine learning tools/pipelines to analyze high-throughput 'omic data.

• BS, Aquaculture, China Agricultural University
• PhD, Biology, New Mexico State University

Research

Overview

My research centers on the development and application of bioinformatics and machine learning tools to analyze high-throughput 'omic data. I specialize in creating open-source software and pipelines that leverage machine learning techniques for a variety of 'omic data types, including single-cell multi-omics and 16S microbiome data. Additionally, I apply machine learning and artificial intelligence models to explore the relationships between risk factors and patient outcomes using large-scale de-identified electronic health record (EHR) data. Much of my collaborative work focuses on genetic alterations in model organisms and the use of innovative methodologies to uncover the molecular mechanisms driving disease development and progression.

In addition to my research activities, I also provide leadership in high-performance computing to the Department of Biostatistics and Data Science as co-manager of the Biostatistics group, which is part of the KU Community Cluster, operated by the Center for Research Computing at KU-Lawrence.

• Pei, D, Griffard, R, Yellapu, N., K, Nissen, E, Koestler, D., C. 2023. optima: an open-source R package for the Tapestri platform for integrative single cell multiomics data analysis.. Bioinformatics (Oxford, England), 39 (10)
• Yellapu,, Nanda Kumar, Pei, Dong, Nissen, Emily, Thompson, Jeffrey, Koestler, Devin. 2023. Comprehensive exploration of JQ1 and GSK2801 targets in breast cancer using network pharmacology and molecular modelling approaches.. Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal, 21
• Xu, Jiannong, Pei, Dong, Nicholson, Ainsley, Lan, Yuhao, Xia, Qing. 2019. In Silico Identification of Three Types of Integrative and Conjugative Elements in Elizabethkingia anophelis Strains Isolated from around the World. mSphere, 4 (2), e00040--19
• Zaimi, Ina, Pei, Dong, Koestler, Devin., C, Marsit, Carmen., J, De Vivo, Immaculata, Tworoger, Shelley., S, Shields, Alexandra., E, Kelsey, Karl., T, Michaud, Dominique., S. 2018. Variation in DNA methylation of human blood over a 1-year period using the Illumina MethylationEPIC array. Epigenetics, 1--16
• Mudaranthakam, Dinesh., Pal, Thompson, Jeffrey, Hu, Jinxiang, Pei, Dong, Chintala, Shanthan., Reddy, Park, Michele, Fridley, Brooke., L, Gajewski, Byron, Koestler, Devin., C, Mayo, Matthew., S. 2018. A Curated Cancer Clinical Outcomes Database (C3OD) for accelerating patient recruitment in cancer clinical trials. JAMIA Open