Information master’s student leads pioneering research at School of Nursing
Ever since moving from Chongqing, China, to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison for his bachelor’s degree, Jinghao Zhou has been impressed by the university and its home city.
“I quickly learned that Madison is a beautiful place, even though it can be cold,” he said.
But the real draw for Zhou was the strength and breadth of research happening at the UW. “So many people here are supportive of and devoted to research,” he added, including faculty and fellow graduate students at the iSchool, where he’s now earning his MS in Information.
MS Information student Jinghao Zhou
As an undergraduate, Zhou double majored in psychology with a statistics certificate, assisting with research in the Department of Pediatrics involving adolescents’ experiences on social media. He appreciated how this work translated into practice, and he fell in love with research along the way. At the same time, he wanted to fill what he called a “knowledge gap” regarding data-driven methods, which can open new research avenues.
The iSchool’s MS in Information program enables him to continue his education and conduct research at the intersection of data analysis and human well-being.
Research for wellness
After enrolling in the MS program in fall 2024, Zhou landed a position as a graduate research assistant in the METAR Lab at the School of Nursing.
Run by faculty from the College of Engineering and the School of Nursing, the lab explores how different aspects of a person’s work and home environments can impact heart and metabolic health. Their long-term goal: creating healthier human environments that promote longevity and well-being. In other words, protecting working hearts.
At the METAR Lab, Zhou is leading an innovative project to identify the social and environmental factors that affect heart and metabolic health in construction workers and truck drivers.
“These workers typically age more rapidly than other types of workers,” Zhou said. “If we can identify the factors driving disparities in occupational health, future researchers and practitioners can design effective interventions, like intelligent workplace systems or policy reforms from local governments, to protect worker health proactively.”
Zhou is overseeing a group of undergraduate researchers, applying project management and data skills he picked up in the MS in Information program. He appreciates working with researchers from a range of fields and backgrounds: “It’s rewarding to be able to present my opinions and thoughts to the senior researchers, whether they agree or disagree,” Zhou said, “because either way, it allows me to improve.”
Zhou is the latest MS in Information student to join a growing group using their skills in cross-disciplinary projects that aim to improve human health.
The iSchool experience
Around the halfway point in his program, Zhou has already honed several skills that have made him a better researcher and collaborator.
“The Information School faculty are all very knowledgeable,” he noted. “It’s quite a place to be able to find myself.”
He singled out two specific courses and faculty members that have been standouts for him.
“I took a project management course [LIS 615] with Adam Rule, who is my favorite professor at the iSchool,” Zhou said. The course has equipped him with new techniques, tools and technologies that have proven useful in his work at the METAR Lab. “Part of my role in the lab is managing students from a wide range of academic backgrounds, which can be difficult at times. I have already been using a lot of project management skills and tools I learned from that class in my research.”
He also expressed gratitude to Assistant Professor Corey Jackson, whose course in user experience (UX) design also left a lasting impact. “This course taught me how to approach research from the participants’ perspective,” Zhou said, “and gave me a lot of insights into the common pitfalls to avoid in the research process.”
The MS in Information program has enabled Zhou to fill knowledge gaps and deepen his research skill set. His experience shows how the iSchool serves as an effective launchpad for young scholars to pursue work that contributes to the well-being of people, communities and society.
To learn more, visit the MS in Information webpage or connect with an enrollment coach. You can also learn about a fully online MS in Information option.
This article was repurposed from an Information School article posted in March 2025.
Article written by Lisa Bauer.
Published on Sep 04 2025
Last Updated on May 11 2026
Categories: Professional Degrees & Certificates, Student stories
Tags: computer, data & information sciences, health & medicine, master's degree
