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PhD Faculty in EES Program at GC/CUNY PhD Faculty in Physics Program at GC/CUNY School of Earth and Environmental Sciences Queens College, City University of New York (CUNY) Phone: (718) 997-3366 E-mail: cyi@qc.cuny.edu
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Principal Investigator
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Chuixiang Yi is Professor at Queens College of the City University of New York. Previously, he was Associate Professor at Beijing Normal University. Yi holds a Ph.D. in atmospheric sciences from Nanjing University and held post-doctoral positions in boundary-layer meteorology, micrometeorology, and biosphere-atmosphere interactions at the UC-Berkeley, U -Minnesota, Penn-State U, and U -Colorado. His research has focused on canopy fluid mechanics including developing theoretical formulations, designing observations, and performing numerical simulations to understand the physical, biological, and chemical processes that control the exchange of trace gas between the vegetation and the atmosphere. Yi was a leading recipient of World Meteorological Organization Norbert-Gerbier-MUMM International Award in 2012. Yi was a Rossby Fellow from International Meteorological Institute at Stockholm University during 2014 – 2015. Yi is currently a Fulbright Visiting Professor at University of Innsbruck in 2022. His Lab has a broad spectrum of research projects across Forest Ecology, Remote Sensing, Micrometeorology, Climate Change, Paleoclimate, and Hydrology. The overall goal of his team is to use nonlinear system theory, stability analysis approach, resilience, and tipping point concepts to predict potential critical transitions of nature and society in facing extremes induced by the warming climate.
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I study the earth's water and carbon cycles, particularly the effects of global warming and other human impacts. My projects involve monitoring water resources, droughts and floods from earth-observing satellites as well as using ground observations, computer models, and geospatial and statistics tools to learn about hazards and obtain new insights.
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Professor Zhenkun Tian
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I am interested in understanding carbon cycle in regional/global scale by using statistical models, process models, or machine learning models based on the observed/remote sensed data in the context of climate change. I am also interested in exploring LUCC, land surface parameters estimation, vegetation growth, etc. to learn about the anthropogenic impact on earth environment by using GIS, RS, and data mining technology. |
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Aaron Harouny Undergraduate Student (2024-present)
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I am passionate about STEM and environmental science, and I am thrilled to contribute to Professor Chuixiang Yi's research team at Queens College. With a strong dedication to research, I aim to deepen my understanding of climate change and earth resilience. My focus includes studying the dynamics of carbon exchange and the impacts of climate change on terrestrial ecosystems. My commitment to scientific inquiry and collaborative teamwork drives me to make meaningful contributions to our projects. Joining this team allows me to work with like-minded individuals and contribute to impactful research initiatives addressing critical environmental challenges.
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Avishai Aghelian
Undergraduate Student
(2024-present)
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I am passionate about researching how organisms and ecosystems adapt to human-induced changes such as urbanization, warming, and biological invasions. Specifically, I research the effects of invasive species in urban forests as well as estuaries, as well as examining how forest communities in the southwest US and the Mediterranean respond to warming and drought. I aim to enhance our understanding of adaptive responses to global changes, ultimately contributing to more sustainable practices. I will explore the role of stomata in photosynthesis and plant resilience under these changing conditions.
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Aaron Malekan Undergraduate Student (2024-present)
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As an incoming freshman, I am honored to be a part of Dr. Chuixiang Yi's research team and contribute to the biological and environmental sciences within the STEM field. Specifically, I will focus on the complex relationship between carbon sequestration and climate change. I am eager to collaborate with experienced scientists to address pressing environmental challenges. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Victoria Fernandez Undergraduate Student (2024-present)
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Having graduated from Queens College with a bachelor's degree in geology, my deep interest in atmosphere-biosphere sciences was sparked during my undergraduate studies, where I learned about the effects of climate and ecosystems. This foundation has fueled my passion to explore the critical interactions between the atmosphere and the biosphere. I am particularly interested in how these interactions are affected by human activity and how they drive climate change. I am excited about the opportunity to work with Professor Chuixiang Yi and his team, and I am dedicated to contributing to their research.
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Ovadia Aghelian
High
School Student
(2024-present) |
I am a student at John L. Miller Great Neck North High School with plans to attend Queens College. In Dr. Yi’s lab, I am exploring climate data and its effects on carbon exchange and terrestrial ecosystems. This research aligns with my passion for environmental science and my goal to continue this work in college, with the aspiration of publishing my own research. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Olivia Deng
High
School Student
(2024-present) |
I am a student at Mt. Sinai High School with a strong interest in plant biology, medical science, and environmental science. I am excited to begin research under Professor Yi’s mentorship, where I will explore the biological interactions between plants and their environments, while also connecting this knowledge to broader questions in human health. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Nicole Harooni High School Student (2024-present)
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I am a current student at Great Neck North High School, and I’m excited to be on my research journey here. I’m focusing on plant hydraulics and investigating how temperature impacts soil respiration, both of which are essential for understanding how ecosystems respond to climate change. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Jonathan Davidson
Undergraduate Student
(2024-present) |
I am deeply passionate about research and environmental science, and I am thrilled to join Professor Chuixiang Yi's research team at Queens College. I am dedicated to advancing my knowledge of climate change and its influence on plant defense mechanisms, with a particular focus on stomatal decoupling. My research interests include exploring carbon exchange dynamics and understanding how climate change affects terrestrial ecosystems. With a strong commitment to scientific exploration and teamwork, I am eager to make meaningful contributions to our projects. Joining this team offers me the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded individuals and contribute to research that addresses critical environmental issues.
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Justin Sharif High School Student (2024-present)
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As a high school student at Great Neck North High School, I'm truly honored to join Dr. Chuixiang Yi's research team. I'm passionate about plant biology, medical science, and environmental science, and I'm eager to explore the complex relationship between carbon sequestration and climate change. I'm excited to collaborate with experienced scientists and peers to address pressing environmental challenges and contribute to the biological and environmental sciences within the STEM field. |
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Aaron Nasiri
Undergraduate Student
(2024-present) |
I am dedicated to researching plant diversity and greenhouse gas emissions. Joining Dr. Yi’s lab will allow me to further expand my capabilities and thrive in my research. I will be examining how plant diversity influences greenhouse gas emissions through soil and plant carbon storage in terrestrial ecosystems. My research will also show how plant diversity impacts carbon storage and investigate soil moisture’s role in regulating temperature sensitivity of soil organic carbon decomposition in mesic grasslands. Joining this team allows me to work with individuals in research to gain valuable insights and contribute to meaningful projects. I aim to further understand these interactions to support more sustainable ecosystem management. |
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Jonathan Sharif High School Student (2024-present)
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As a current senior at Great Neck North High School, I’m thrilled to join Dr. Yi’s research team at Queens College, where I can explore my passion for environmental science. Working alongside world-renowned scientists is a dream come true. I’m eager to investigate how trees and forests interact with the carbon cycle, especially in the face of climate change, invasive species, and human-driven impacts on urban ecosystems. My research aims to uncover how forests adapt to global changes like warming and drought, ultimately contributing to more sustainable environmental practices. I’ll also be collaborating on a project about urban forest resilience through analyzing carbon sequestration and adaptation strategies with my lab partner Jonathan Davidson, a current esteemed Queens College student. |
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Retired Distinguished Professor George Hendrey
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Former PhD Students
Einstein and Bohr, Sydney-2 |
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