Xiao is a research associate in Dr Jonathan Wagner's group in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Loughborough University. Her current research focuses on microalgae cultivation and algae-based carbon capture and utilization. Xiao received her PhD at the National University of Singapore in May 2023, with a multi-disciplinary background in chemistry, microbiology, cell biology, and materials. She used to study the antimicrobial and antifouling activity of the Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) graphene-based coating system and its potential in biomedical applications.