Jielai was born in China before moving to Australia where she grew up and studied for her first degree. She completed her PhD in Canada at the University of Toronto in astrophysics and astronomy, studying galaxy evolution and formation, and low surface brightness imaging. As a Schmidt Science Fellow, Jielai pivoted from astrophysics to medical imaging, with the aim of bringing the strengths of both fields together.

Jielai completed her Fellowship placement with Prof Alison Noble at the University of Oxford. She produced refined atlases of the developing fetal brain using 3D ultrasound data alongside algorithmic processes to learn about the brain development of fetuses effected by congenital heart disease or were born small for their gestational age. Jielai’s science has the potential to improve ante-natal monitoring and fetal outcomes.

Jielai continued her work as an OzGrav Postdoctoral Fellow working with the Deeper, Wider, Faster program at Swinburn University of Technology . She  continues her work at Swinburne University of Technology and with the Australian Government.

Jielai has a strong commitment to international scientific collaboration and has played a key role in the development and organization of the West Africa International Summer School for Young Astronomers.

Watch Jielai’s film  and read her featureas part of our We are Schmidt Science Fellows film series.