Xiao is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Risk and Actuarial Studies (Co-op Coordinator, 2023–2024; University Accreditation Actuary, 2025–). Xiao also co-leads the UNSW Education-Focused EYFE Community of Practice, aimed at Enhancing the First-Year Experience for students.

Her research interests centre on actuarial practice, financial risk management and education pedagogy and technology. Before joining UNSW in 2020, Xiao had several years of industry experience in life insurance, consulting and venture capital entrepreneurship. She earned her PhD at UNSW, an MSE from Johns Hopkins University, and a BBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Xiao also holds several professional qualifications, including Chartered Financial Analyst (2019), Chartered Accountant - Australia (2019), Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia (2018), Certified Public Accountant - USA (2018), Financial Risk Manager (2016), Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (2015), and Chartered Enterprise Risk Analyst (2015).