About Me

I am a PhD candidate at the City University of Hong Kong School of Data Science. My research revolves around leveraging wearable device data to better understand aging and adverse health outcomes among older adults. I am supervised by Dr. Xinyue Li and funded by the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS).

Undergraduates interested in applied machine learning and digital health are welcome to contact me for RA opportunities!

Education

🎓 PhD in Data Science, 2025 (Expected)

The City University of Hong Kong

🎓 MSc in Health Data Science, 2021

University of New South Wales (UNSW)

🎓 BA in Statistics and Mathematics, 2019

The State University of New York at Buffalo (UB)

Research Interests

  • Predictive modeling

  • Geriatrics

  • Wearables

  • Cognition

  • Aging

Selected Publications

  • (Preprint - Under Review) Collin Sakal, Tingoyu Li, Juan Li, XInyue Li (2023). Assessing cognitive function among older adults using machine learning and wearable device data: a feasibility study. https://arxiv.org/abs/2309.07133

  • Sakal C, Li T, Li J, Yang C, Li X. Association Between Sleep Efficiency Variability and Cognition Among Older Adults: Cross-Sectional Accelerometer Study. JMIR Aging 2024;7:e54353. doi: 10.2196/54353

  • Sakal C, Li T, Li J, Li X. Identifying Predictive Risk Factors for Future Cognitive Impairment Among Chinese Older Adults: Longitudinal Prediction Study. JMIR Aging 2024;7:e53240, doi: 10.2196/53240

  • Collin Sakal, Juan Li, Yu-Tao Xiang, Xinyue Li. Development and validation of the Chinese Geriatric Depression Risk calculator (CGD-risk): A screening tool to identify elderly Chinese with depression, Journal of Affective Disorders, Volume 319, 2022, Pages 428-436, ISSN 0165-0327, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2022.09.034.

 

Awards

 

Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme Award

— Research Grants Council of Hong Kong, Apr 2021

Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies Entrance Scholarship

— City University of Hong Kong, Apr 2021

 

International Academic Excellence Award

— University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sep 2019

Summa Cum Laude

— The State University of New York at Buffalo (UB), Jun 2019

 

Excellent Scientific Presentation Award.

— Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Aug 2018

Elevator Talk Award.

— Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Aug 2018

Teaching Assistant Experience

  • Semester B 2023/24 - Statistical Methods and Data Analysis (SDSC 2102), City University of Hong Kong

  • Semester A 2023/24 - Python for Data Science (SDSC 2001), City University of Hong Kong

  • Semester B 2022/23 - Data Visualization (SDSC 2004), City University of Hong Kong

  • Semester A 2022/23 - Python for Data Science (SDSC 2001), City University of Hong Kong

  • Spring 2018/2019 - Mathematical Analysis for Management (MTH 131), The University at Buffalo

  • Spring 2018/2019 - Linear Algebra (MTH 309), The University at Buffalo (Grader)

  • Spring 2018/2019 - Multivariable Calculus (MTH 241), The University at Buffalo (Grader)

Reviewer Experience

  • Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR)

  • JMIR Public Health and Surveillance

  • JMIR Research Protocols

  • JMIR Medical Informatics