Research Group
Yixin Guo (郭怡鑫)
Dr. Guo joined the Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences Thrust at the Hongkong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) as an assistant professor in March 2024.
She earned a Ph.D. in the Science, Technology and Environmental Policy cluster of the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs (formerly the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs) at Princeton University in January 2020, advised by Prof. Denise L. Mauzerall. Her dissertation explored the potential of improving agricultural nitrogen use and food consumption practices in China for clean air, public health, resource saving and climate change mitigation. After that, Dr. Guo worked as a postdoc at Princeton University and then as a joint postdoc between Peking University (PKU) and International Institute of Applied System Analyses (IIASA), advised by Prof. Denise L. Mauzerall, Prof. Lin Zhang, Prof. Wilfried Winiwarter and Prof. Petr Havlik. She has a M.A. in public policy from Princeton University, a B.S. in atmospheric and oceanic sciences from Peking University. She also has worked as a volunteer for the Nature Conservancy’s Beijing Office and a short-term consultant for the World Bank.
Dr. Guo published first-authored papers on high profile journals including ES&T, One Earth, Science Advances and Nature Food, and co-authored papers on Nature Communications, Nature Food, Nature Geoscience, Science Bulletin, PNAS, etc. She received the Green Talent award from the Germany Ministry of Education for her innovative research that bridges the gap between air quality and agricultural research. Her research has been awarded year 2021 and 2023 Top 10 Scientific Achievements in Biogeochemical Nitrogen Cycles by the nitrogen working group of Soil Science Society of China. She was invited to present at the American Geophysical Union Conference and Asia Oceania Geophysical Society conference.
Dr. Guo is committed to delivering innovative research that can inform environmental policymaking and bridge the gaps between multiple disciplines. She collaborates broadly with agronomists, atmospheric scientists, public health researchers, and environmental economists. She uses both quantitative (air quality modeling, integrated assessment, cost-benefit analysis and public health analysis) and qualitative research methods (interviews, surveys and scenario analysis).
Ning Chai (柴宁)
I am a postdoctoral researcher who joined the group after completing both my B.S. and Ph.D. at Lanzhou University, where I had the privilege of working with Professors Feng-Min Li and Feng Zhang. My doctoral research focused on the dynamics of the Food-Energy-Water-CO2 nexus, particularly examining the evolution of staple cereal production and distribution in China. Currently, my research interest lies in understanding the impact of food systems on carbon and nitrogen cycling. In the area of food production, I study how agricultural management practices affect greenhouse gas and reactive nitrogen emissions by rescaling the biogeochemical model DNDC. On the consumption side, I explore the potential socio-environmental impacts of embodied resources in food trade.
Ziru Lan (兰子濡)
LAN joined the group as a PhD student in Sep 2024. Before joining the group, LAN received a Master’s degree in Environmental Science and Engineering and a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering from the Minzu University of China, working with Prof. LIN Weili to study the variation characteristics and influencing factors of atmospheric ammonia.
Check out Ziru’s Google Scholar here.
Lingze Meng (孟令泽)
Lingze joined the group as a PhD student in Sep 2024. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Ocean University of China. After that, he conducted his master’s research at College of Ocean and Earth Sciences (COE) at Xiamen University, where he worked with Prof. Minhan Dai on vessels emission in costal China.His research interests focus on environmental impact assessment of anthropogenic emissions. In his spare time, his likes to travel, discover delicious food, and play badminton.
Yulei Yang (杨宇雷)
“I am a third cohort MPhil student at HKUST (GZ). My research interests lie primarily in biogeochemistry and sustainable agriculture. My motivation for pursuing research comes from the understanding that my work can benefit future generations. During my undergraduate studies, I conducted research on nutrient leaching during flood events, utilizing stable isotopes and time-series analysis.”
Yue Zhang (张月)
Yue joined the group as a PhD student in February 2025. She is currently focusing on developing strategies to reduce greenhouse gas and reactive nitrogen emissions in food systems. Before joining this team, Yue earned her Master’s degree in Ecology from Chongqing University, where she worked with Prof. Yi Yang on quantifying environmental impacts using environmentally extended input-output models. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Built Environment and Energy Application from the same university.
Zihan Niu (牛子涵)
Hi, I’m Zihan Niu, a RA in Guo’s lab. I’m interested in carbon, nitrogen cycle and sustainable agriculture. I got my bachelor‘s degree in Agronomy at South China Agricultural University and my master’s degree in Environmental Resource Management at University College Dublin, Ireland. I’m a Swiftie and a Gym enthusiast, very welcome to join me, if you’re interested in them