Yanni Xiao is a Professor of Applied Mathematics, Xi’an Jiaotong University, and the Director of Interdisciplinary Center of Mathematics and Life Sciences (ICMLS, XJTU). She has many years of experience in mathematical modeling to inform public health policy. In collaboration with China CDC, she has led sub-projects on modelling HIV/AIDS transmission of the Chinese National Key Projects in the National Science & Technology Pillar Program during the 11th, 12th and 13th Five-year Plan Periods.