PeopleofSuperintelligence

Researcher

Xin Yao

Also known as Yao Xin

Xin Yao is a researcher in evolutionary computation and machine learning. He trained at the University of Science and Technology of China, completing a doctorate there in 1990 before working in Australia. From 1999 to 2016 he directed a computational intelligence center at the University of Birmingham. In 2020 he received the IEEE Frank Rosenblatt Award, the first given to a Chinese scholar. He is Vice-President (Research and Innovation) and Tong Tin Sun Chair Professor of Machine Learning at Lingnan University.

Timeline

  1. 1982–1990

    Degrees in computer science

    He earns a bachelor's degree from the University of Science and Technology of China in 1982, a master's degree from the North China Institute of Computing Technology in 1985 and a doctorate from the same university in 1990.

  2. 1990–1999

    Postdoctoral fellow, then UNSW lecturer

    He works as a postdoctoral fellow at the Australian National University and CSIRO from 1990 to 1992. He then serves as lecturer, senior lecturer and associate professor at the University of New South Wales until 1999.

  3. 1999–2016

    A computational intelligence center in Birmingham

    From 1999 to 2016 he directs the Centre of Excellence for Computational Intelligence and Applications at the University of Birmingham.

  4. 2003–2008

    Editing an evolutionary computation journal

    He serves as editor-in-chief of IEEE Transactions on Evolutionary Computation from 2003 to 2008.

  5. 2012

    A Wolfson Research Merit Award

    In 2012 he wins the Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award.

  6. 2014–2015

    President of the IEEE CIS

    Between 2014 and 2015, he serves as president of the IEEE Computational Intelligence Society.

  7. 2020

    The IEEE Frank Rosenblatt Award

    In 2020 the IEEE Frank Rosenblatt Award goes to him, and he becomes the first Chinese scholar to win it.

  8. Since 2024

    Vice-President at Lingnan University

    Lingnan University appoints him Vice-President (Research and Innovation) in January 2024, and he holds the Tong Tin Sun Chair Professor of Machine Learning.

Sources and credits

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  1. Xin Yao (SGY ’77) won the IEEE Frank Rosenblatt Award en.scgy.ustc.edu.cn. Checked 14 October 2026.
  2. Lingnan University appoints AI expert Prof Xin Yao as Vice-President (Research and Innovation) - Press Release | Lingnan University ln.edu.hk. Checked 14 October 2026.
  3. [Interview] Prof Xin Yao on his research, discoveries, and his vision as VP - Lingnan Touch | Lingnan University ln.edu.hk. Checked 14 October 2026.
  4. Professor Xin YAO | Office of the President ln.edu.hk. Checked 14 October 2026.
  5. CSE Chair Professor wins IEEE Frank Rosenblatt Award newshub.sustech.edu.cn. Checked 14 October 2026.