Dr. Zhengxiao Yan is a data specialist in Chesapeake Conservancy’s Conservation Innovation Center, where he uses geospatial data science and artificial intelligence to address environmental and conservation challenges. Dr. Yan works with satellite and aerial imagery, LiDAR, time-series data and other large environmental datasets to develop models, reproducible data pipelines, maps, analytical tools and web applications that support conservation planning and environmental decision-making.

‍

Before joining Chesapeake Conservancy, Dr. Yan was a postdoctoral research associate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he developed ecological process-based models to study forest biomass and carbon dynamics. Dr. Yan earned a Ph.D. in civil engineering from Florida State University, where he used machine learning, environmental data and climate projections to study harmful algal blooms across near- and long-term timescales.

‍

In his free time, Dr. Yan enjoys watching soccer (¡Vamos, laRoja!), listening to music and playing pickleball.