Hao Cheng

Hao Cheng is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Science at the University of California, Davis. His research focuses on developing statistical methods, computational algorithms, and software tools for quantitative and statistical genetics, particularly in the context of genomic prediction, genome-wide association studies, and functional genomics. He is affiliated with the Graduate Groups in Animal Biology, Biostatistics, and Integrative Genetics and Genomics.

Dr. Cheng’s work emphasizes cross-disciplinary approaches, combining genetics, computer science, and animal science to address challenges in precision breeding, disease resistance, and trait improvement. His lab explores applications in diverse species including pigs, poultry, rainbow trout, and plants, with recent projects involving AI-driven phenotyping and secure genomic data collaboration frameworks. His research has produced tools like VTag for automated video-based phenotyping and XSim for simulation of breeding programs.

His publications reflect a focus on methodological advancements in genomic prediction (e.g., MegaLMM, JWAS software), functional conservation between species (human-pig comparisons), and integrative approaches using multi-omics data. He also investigates practical applications such as improving nitrogen-use efficiency in maize and enhancing disease resilience in aquaculture species.

While no specific awards are cited in the provided materials, his contributions to genomic methodology and computational biology indicate significant scholarly impact. His advising and grant activities are not detailed here, though his research program likely involves graduate students in genetics, biostatistics, and computational biology.

Dr. Cheng’s laboratory is located in 2239 Meyer Hall, UC Davis, and maintains active collaborations across academia and industry to advance translational genetics in agriculture and animal health.