Hanqin Tian, Ph.D.

Leader

I am an Earth system scientist and educator dedicated to studying the Earth as a complex, interconnected system through an interdisciplinary and holistic approach. My research aims to enhance our understanding of the Earth’s biosphere and its interactions with the atmosphere and climate by utilizing innovative modeling techniques and comprehensive observational data. This work provides actionable insights that support global efforts toward a sustainable future.

My primary focus is on the terrestrial biosphere and its critical roles in global biogeochemical cycles, including carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as the budgets of major greenhouse gases such as CO2, CH4, and N2O. I also investigate the impacts of human activities on the terrestrial biosphere’s capacity to provide essential goods and services, including food, energy, and water. By employing an integrated systems approach that combines terrestrial biosphere modeling with AI and machine learning, along with satellite and ground observations, I aim to develop a predictive understanding of how climate change, land use, and atmospheric conditions influence ecosystem structure and function, particularly regarding carbon, nitrogen, and water cycles, as well as the food-energy-water nexus.

In addition to my research, I am passionate about teaching and mentoring. I strive to inspire the next generation of scientists by sharing knowledge and creating a supportive learning environment, equipping my students and mentees to tackle the pressing challenges of our time. My current and former graduate students and postdoctoral fellows have explored a range of cutting edge research themes, detailed below. I welcome highly motivated individuals to join my research team as graduate students or postdoctoral fellows.

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Dr. Susan Pan

Co-Leader

Dr. Susan Pan is an environmental scientist and principal investigator of the GeoAI Lab, where she leads interdisciplinary research at the intersection of environmental systems, geospatial technologies, and artificial intelligence. By integrating remote sensing, geographic information system (GIS), environmental modeling, and machine learning/deep learning, she develops a spatial data–driven systems approach to address environmental sustainability challenges, with a particular focus on essential human needs such as water and food security.

Her research addresses the complex nexus of water, food, and ecosystems using integrated environmental modeling and GeoAI tools. Supported by NSF, NASA, EPA, NOAA, DOT, and USDA, Dr. Pan’s work tackles critical issues such as water and food security, land use change, and ecosystem resilience. With a global perspective, her projects span North America, South America, Asia, and Africa, offering insights into how environmental systems interact with human activity across scales—from local to global.

Dr. Pan currently serves as Research Director of the Center for Earth System Science and Global Sustainability and the Global Carbon Project Boston Office. In these roles, she fosters collaborative partnerships to advance understanding of the global carbon cycle and to develop data-driven strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As a dedicated educator and mentor, Dr. Pan is deeply committed to preparing the next generation of engineers and scientists. She fosters creativity, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary learning, empowering students to tackle the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges. Through both her research and teaching, she strives to contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

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Team Member

Naiqing Pan

Research Scientist

Xing Yu

Postdoctoral

Diego Grados

Postdoctoral

Xinyi(Skylar) Yang

PhD Student

Yuchun Zhang

PhD Student

Wensu Hao

PhD Student

Former Member

Zihao Bian

Nanjing Normal University

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Guangsheng Chen

Zhejiang A & F University

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Shree Dangal

Westervelt Company

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Xiaoyong Li

Shandong University of Technology

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Ya Li

Beijing Normal University

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Mingliang Liu

Washington State University

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Chaoqun Lv

Iowa State University

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Wei Ren

University of Connecticut

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Hao Shi

Chinese Academy of Sciences

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Yu Shi

Peking University

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Bo Tao

University of Connecticut

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Thomas Lee

Boston College

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Zhuonan Wang

Colorado State University

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Binyuan Xu

HeXi University

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Rongting Xu

Washington State Department of Ecology

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Xiaofeng Xu

San Diego State University

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Jia Yang

Oklahoma State University

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Qichun Yang

HKUST-GZ

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Yuanzhi Yao

East China Normal University

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Yongfa You

Virginia Tech

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Bowen Zhang

Ball State University

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Chi Zhang

Linyi University

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Jingting Zhang

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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