Chengyuan Yao

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BIO: I am currently a second-year Ph.D. student in Measurement, Evaluation, and Statistics at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City, where I am fortunate to be advised by Dr. Renzhe Yu and am a member of the AEQUITAS Lab. Previously, I earned a B.A. in Applied Mathematics with Minors in Data Science and Education from UC Berkeley.

Research: My research centers on Responsible AI, with a specific focus on Educational Data Science and Algorithmic Fairness. I am currently exploring and interested in the following topics:

  • Trustworthy Transfer Learning: Examining challenges of algorithmic fairness and data privacy in transfer learning, aiming to democratize access to trustworthy educational models, especially in under-resourced educational contexts.
  • Measurement and Evaluation for Large Language Models: Advancing more reliable and theoretically grounded evaluation methods for large language models (LLMs), with a focus on construct validity, consistency across tasks, and alignment with real-world goals.
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News

📣 April. 2025: I was awarded the Provost's Grant for Conference Presentation and Professional Development.

⭐ March. 2025: "Towards Fair and Privacy-Aware Transfer Learning for Educational Predictive Modeling" received the Best Full Paper Award at LAK2025.

🎉August. 2023: I was awarded the Doctoral Research Fellowship to support my Ph.D. research.

Honors and Awards
Publications
Understanding Predictive Models of Student Success with a Multiverse Analysis
Yunxuan Tang, Emma Harvey, Chengyuan Yao, Renzhe Yu, Rene Kizilcec and Christopher Brooks,

EDM 2025
Towards Fair and Privacy-Aware Transfer Learning for Educational Predictive Modeling
Chengyuan Yao, Carmen Cortez, Renzhe Yu
🏆 Best Full Research Paper Award

LAK 2025
Technology-Based Instructional Strategies Show Promise in Improving Self-Regulated Learning Skills at Broad-Access Postsecondary Institutions
Renzhe Yu, Hui Yang, Xiaoying Lin, Chengyuan Yao, Paul Burkander, Krystal Thomas, Jessica Mislevy

L@S 2024
Academic Services
  • Program Committee Member, AIES 2025
  • Reviewer, AIES 2025
  • Sub-reviewer, L@S 2025
  • Sub-reviewer, AIES 2024
  • Student Volunteer, alt-FAccT 2025
  • Co-Host, EAAMO NYC Meetup 2025
  • Student Representatives, Student Conduct Committee, Teachers College, Columbia University 2025-2027
  • E-board Member, Data Science and Education Association, Teachers College, Columbia University 2023-2024
Teaching

Last Updated: June 2025.

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