Wencai Yang | Geodynamics | Best Innovation Award

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Prof. Dr. Wencai Yang | Geodynamics | Best Innovation Award

Professor at Zhejiang University | China

Professor YANG Wencai is a distinguished geoscientist specializing in Earth imaging and geodynamics. He serves at the Institute of Geosciences, Zhejiang University, where he has made substantial contributions to teaching and research. With over five decades of academic and scientific achievements, he has become a leading figure in geological sciences. He has served as an executive member of both the Chinese Geological Society and the Chinese Geophysical Society. As the Chief Editor of Geological Review since 2008 and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences since 2005, he continues to shape the landscape of geoscientific research and discourse in China and beyond.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Professor YANG Wencai academic journey began with his graduation from the Beijing Geology Institute in 1964, a pivotal period that laid the groundwork for his scientific development. Seeking further expertise, he pursued and obtained his Ph.D. from McGill University in Canada in 1984, a top-tier institution recognized globally for its geoscience research. His exposure to international academia not only enriched his scientific insight but also cultivated a global perspective. His early education and international doctoral training equipped him with a solid foundation and innovative methodologies, empowering him to make influential contributions to Earth science and geodynamics research throughout his career.

Experience

Professor YANG’s professional trajectory is marked by leadership, innovation, and a deep commitment to geoscientific advancement. Since joining Zhejiang University, he has focused on Earth imaging and geodynamics, playing a vital role in teaching and curriculum development. His international experience includes a prestigious Royal Fellowship in the UK in 1987, enabling him to engage in advanced research and foster international collaborations. Over the years, he has actively contributed to academic governance through roles in professional societies and editorial positions. His experience spans over 50 years, during which he has consistently demonstrated excellence in research, mentorship, and scientific communication.

Research Interest

Professor YANG’s primary research interests lie in Earth imaging and geodynamics, focusing on understanding subsurface geological structures and processes. His work integrates geophysical techniques and computational modeling to decipher the dynamic behavior of Earth’s interior. These studies are essential for advancing knowledge in tectonic plate interactions, crustal deformation, and resource exploration. Through his interdisciplinary approach, he has contributed significantly to seismic imaging methodologies and geodynamic simulations. His research has implications for earthquake studies, oil and gas exploration, and crustal evolution. He continues to push the boundaries of Earth science through collaborative research and pioneering scientific investigations.

Award

Professor YANG has been widely recognized for his lifelong dedication to geosciences. He received a Royal Fellowship in the United Kingdom in 1987, acknowledging his international research stature. In 2005, he was elected as an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, one of the highest honors for Chinese scientists, reflecting his exceptional contributions to geoscientific research. His leadership and service have earned him appointments to executive roles in major professional societies, underscoring his influence in shaping national and international geoscientific policy and research. These prestigious recognitions highlight his enduring impact and commitment to excellence in Earth science.

Publication Top Notes

Professor YANG Wencai has authored over 300 scientific papers and 12 books, reflecting his prolific academic output.

  • Deep Structure and Tectonic Evolution of the South China Craton
    Year: 2002
    Citation: 140 citations

  • Imaging Lithospheric Structures by Seismic Tomography
    Year: 2005
    Citation: 120 citations

  • Mantle Dynamics and Plate Interactions in East Asia
    Year: 2008
    Citation: 98 citations

  • Geodynamics of the Eastern China Continental Margin
    Year: 2010
    Citation: 75 citations

  • Crustal Thickness Variation in Eastern Asia
    Year: 2012
    Citation: 63 citations

  • Advances in Earth Imaging Techniques
    Year: 2015
    Citation: 50 citations

  • Lithospheric Evolution and Resource Implications
    Year: 2017
    Citation: 45 citations

Conclusion

Professor YANG Wencai exemplifies academic excellence, scientific innovation, and leadership in the field of geosciences. His extensive body of work, spanning teaching, research, publication, and service, has made a lasting impact on Earth science both in China and internationally. With a career shaped by curiosity and commitment, he continues to inspire a new generation of geoscientists. His dedication to advancing geodynamic understanding and his numerous recognitions affirm his stature as a pioneering scholar. Professor YANG’s contributions make him a highly deserving nominee for any prestigious award recognizing excellence in science and academic leadership.

Jianming Zhang | Seismic tomography and inversions | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Jianming Zhang | Seismic tomography and inversions | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral Researcher at Ocean University of China, China

Zhang Jianming is a rising geophysics researcher recognized for his impactful contributions to seismic tomography and wavefield inversion. As a doctoral candidate at Tongji University, he has led advancements in Eikonal-equation-based methods for seismic velocity modeling, making substantial technical contributions to geophysical imaging and inversion theory. His innovative work has been featured in top-tier journals and international conferences, reflecting his growing influence in both academic and applied geophysics communities. Zhang’s interdisciplinary expertise integrates geophysical modeling, algorithm development, and field-data interpretation, positioning him as a promising early-career scientist.

Profile

Google Scholar

Education

Zhang’s academic foundation is deeply rooted in applied geophysics. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Applied Geophysics from the China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) in 2019, where he graduated with distinction and was honored for his thesis on 3D source-independent waveform inversion using envelope methods. In the same year, he commenced a direct-entry PhD program in Geophysics at Tongji University. His doctoral research focuses on seismic traveltime tomography based on the Eikonal equation, encompassing adjoint-state methods and anisotropic velocity modeling, which has significantly shaped his research identity.

Experience

Throughout his academic tenure, Zhang has undertaken research at the frontier of seismic imaging. He has developed robust algorithms for fast traveltime computation in vertical transversely isotropic (VTI) media, and has implemented wave-equation-based inversion frameworks for subsurface modeling. Zhang’s experience spans both theoretical development and application to real datasets, with successful field deployments demonstrating the reliability of his methods. He has presented at multiple high-impact conferences such as EAGE, SEG, and IMAGE, often contributing as a lead author and speaker. His active role as a reviewer for journals such as Geophysics and Geophysical Prospecting attests to his engagement and credibility in the professional community.

Research Interest

Zhang’s research interests include geophysical modeling and inversion, particularly seismic traveltime and waveform inversion, Eikonal solvers, and elastic wave propagation in anisotropic media. He is passionate about integrating numerical methods with field data to resolve complex geological structures. His work focuses on increasing computational efficiency and accuracy in seismic tomography, especially through innovations in first-arrival and reflection waveform techniques. He is also engaged in wave-equation modeling and multi-parameter inversion strategies tailored for VTI media, with applications in both academia and the energy industry.

Awards

Zhang received the Wiley “Top Downloaded Article” Award in 2023 for his co-authored work on preconditioned transmission and reflection joint traveltime tomography, published in Geophysical Prospecting. This award highlights the relevance and reach of his contributions in the geophysical community. In addition to journal recognition, his work has been featured in key oral and poster sessions at international geoscience conferences, often spotlighted for methodological novelty and practical impact.

Publications

Among Zhang’s many publications, the following represent the breadth and depth of his research contributions:

  1. Zhang J., Dong L., Liu Y., et al. (2025). “Eikonal-equation-based elastic velocities reconstruction for multi-component seismic reflection data.” Geophysics, 90(4), U47–U58. [Cited by 4 articles]

  2. Zhang J., Dong L., Huang C. (2024). “A shortest-path-aided fast sweeping method in VTI media.” Geophysical Prospecting, 72(7), 2761–2771. [Cited by 6 articles]

  3. Zhang J., Dong L., Wang J., et al. (2024). “Adjoint-state characteristic reflection traveltime tomography.” Geophysics, 89(1), U17–U30. [Cited by 5 articles]

  4. Zhang J., Dong L., Wang J., et al. (2023). “Preconditioned transmission + reflection joint tomography.” Geophysical Prospecting, 71(2), 171–190. [Cited by 12 articles]

  5. Zhang J., Dong L., Wang J., Wang Y. (2023). “Illumination compensation in VTI media.” Journal of Applied Geophysics, 211, 104964. [Cited by 3 articles]

  6. Zhang J., Dong L., Wang J., Wang Y. (2022). “Multi-parameter traveltime inversion in VTI media.” Chinese Journal of Geophysics, 65(10), 4028–4046. [Cited by 8 articles]

  7. Dong L., Zhang J., Han P. (2021). “Improved traveltime tomography via adjoint-state method.” Chinese Journal of Geophysics, 64(3), 982–992. [Cited by 7 articles]

Conclusion

Zhang Jianming exemplifies the qualities of a promising geophysicist through his methodological innovations, peer-reviewed publications, and international recognition. His focused research on Eikonal-equation-based traveltime tomography and anisotropic inversion models advances both the theoretical and practical aspects of geophysics. His work is highly cited, and his contributions have already impacted seismic imaging practices in both academia and industry. With a strong trajectory of achievement, Zhang is an exceptional candidate for recognition through this award nomination.