David (Zheyi) Cao

DPhil Candidate in Clinical Medicine at Oxford | Computational Cancer Genomics | MCR President of Somerville College, Oxford

Greater Oxford Area

About

Experience

  • Graduate Researcher at University of Oxford
    Oct 2021 - Present · 4 yrs 10 mos

    University of Oxford – Ludwig Cancer Institute | Supervisors: Prof. Ben Schuster-Böckler FRSB & Prof. Xin Lu FRS FMedSci • Developed statistical / machine learning models integrating multi-omics datasets (including genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, single-cell transcriptomics) to characterise novel molecular stratifications of Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma — with direct clinical implications for immunotherapy response prediction.

  • GapSummit 2025 participant at Global Biotech Revolution
    Jul 2025 - Jul 2025 · 1 mo

  • MCR President at Somerville College
    Aug 2023 - Mar 2025 · 1 yr 8 mos

    Highly commended by the College administration, including the Principal and Senior Tutor. • Led a 19-person committee overseeing the interests of 300+ graduate students and met with the College Principal and Senior Tutor biweekly to discuss College affairs and advance student initiatives. • Highly commended by Baroness Janet Anne Royall of Blaisdon PC, Member of the House of Lords and former Principal of Somerville College, and by the Senior Tutor for most effective leadership in recent years. • Sat on six university/college-level governance bodies — including the Student Union Council, College Governing Body, and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Committee — advocating for student academics, welfare and EDI. • Launched three new institutional initiatives – MCR Academic Symposium, Prescription Reimbursement Scheme and EDI Training Scheme  – each requiring stakeholder buy-in, budget negotiation, and cross-functional coordination. • Founded the MCR–Alumni Mentorship Network and secured representation on the Somerville Alumni Association Committee, forging sustainable ties between current students and a global alumni base. • Delivered social and charity programs throughout the tenure, including Freshers’ Social Week, Cambridge Exchange (highest attendance since established), fundraising concert (proceeds generated for Save the Children Charity).

  • Healthtech Venture Capital Fellow; Team Lead at Oxford Venture Capital Network
    Nov 2024 - Jan 2025 · 3 mos

    • Competitively selected for a three-month VC training programme mentored by senior partners and managing directors of EQT Life Sciences and Oxford Science Enterprises. • Led a team of six to map the AI diagnostic tools startup landscape, screen deal flow, and conduct full due diligence on qure.ai: market sizing, competitive benchmarking, clinical-need assessment, and exit scenarios. • Pitched investment recommendation to senior VC partners; strongly commended for rigour and clarity of analysis.

  • Voice of Tomorrow 2024 consulting fellow at Global Biotech Revolution
    Sep 2024 - Nov 2024 · 3 mos

    • Competitively selected from international candidates to join the premier online case competition; attended weekly seminars delivered by partners from top global consulting firms (e.g., McKinsey, BCG, Bain, L.E.K.); mentored by Precision AQ. • Led a team of six to deliver a full strategic assessment of MORF-057, a therapeutic of Morphic Holding, Inc.: market sizing, competitive landscape, clinical trial interpretation, pricing strategy, and go-to-market roadmap. • Conducted acquisition evaluation of Eli Lilly's purchase of Morphic — M&A synergy analysis, DCF valuation, comparable company analysis, and risk mitigation — receiving top remarks for quantitative depth and presentation quality. • Selected for the global GapSummit 2025 (Cambridge, UK) and Excellentium 2026 (Lyon, France), actively engaging C-suite executives and key decision-makers from pharmaceutical and biotech leaders (e.g., AstraZeneca, Sanofi, Amgen).