Dr. Jia Xu is a globally recognized researcher, professor, and innovator in the field of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Currently a Visiting Professor at Rutgers University, Dr. Xu has devoted her career to advancing the intelligence and efficiency of Large Language Models (LLMs)—making them smaller, smarter, and more accessible. With more than 50 research publications, 12 patents, and contributions to 18 award-winning teams in international AI competitions, she stands among the world’s leading minds in applied machine learning. Her academic journey has taken her across continents—from earning her Ph.D. at RWTH Aachen University in Germany under Prof. Hermann Ney to serving as a faculty member at Tsinghua University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Beyond academia, she has collaborated with Microsoft Research, IBM Watson, and major global AI initiatives, bridging research and real-world innovation.