Dr. Xiao trained for more than 30 years in molecular biology and 25 years in combining X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to study viruses. Since arriving at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) in 2008 as a faculty member, Dr. Xiao’s research has expanded to many different areas to study various important biological macromolecules while Dr. Xiao continued to explore different viruses using X-ray and cryo-EM. Other novel techniques have also been integrated into his research. Currently, X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM are combined in Dr. Xiao's research that is focus on structural biochemical studies in three major areas: marine viruses, common cold viruses, and mammalian circadian system.