His research interests include how to use online data/information and the identification of causal impacts of using online data/information or social media. Specifically, he has two research streams. One is to use applied econometric (mainly reduced-form) methods for causal inference, and the other is to develop Web technologies and software systems for effectively using online data/services. Xitong holds a Ph.D. in Management from MIT Sloan School of Management, USA and a Ph.D. in Engineering from Tsinghua University, China.