She developed her interests in biological data analysis and integration throughout her education, earning a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Arizona in 1997. Mao’s work has consistently guided the development of the Biocomplexity Institute’s database systems, tools, and web applications. Early projects included NodMutDB, a database of genes and mutants involved in symbiosis, and TEfam, a web interface for the submission, retrieval, and analysis of transposable elements in mosquitoes. Her current focus is expanding the functionality of PATRIC, a web-accessible database designed to assist research on infectious pathogens with more than 30,000 regular users around the world.