AFE is committed to support IIASA's mission of fostering cross-border scientific cooperation and mutual understanding to tackle global challenges internationally. Over the years, AFE has hosted students and postdoctoral researchers, strengthening scientific ties and enabling connections in their early career stages, leading to long-term collaborations.
We are pleased to introduce our new Guest Researchers from China - recipients of China Scholarship Council (CSC) awards - who have joined the EPIC team for a one-year training program.
AFE Guest Researchers Jinpeng Hu, Lei Wang and Shilei Wang conduct their research within the EPIC team at IIASA. Jinpeng Hu and Lei Wang are working under the guidance of Dr. Rastislav Skalský, while Shilei Wang is mentored by Dr. Christian Folberth. The EPIC team is pleased to have these researchers with diverse expertise, new ideas, and valuable insights, as a part of the team.
The AFE Group wishes them a rewarding and inspiring year at IIASA.
© Zrno | IIASAJinpeng Hu is a second year Ph.D. student at Beijing Normal University, China, specializing in Natural Hazards. His research focuses on the impacts of climate change on crops and agricultural disaster risk assessment, using crop models to simulate climate and extreme weather effects on yields.
Inspired by the innovative research of the AFE team, he aims to leverage IIASA's international research platform to broaden his research perspectives and develop in-depth multidisciplinary to promote the development of agricultural disaster risk management and adaptation.
Under the guidance of the EPIC crop modeling team, his research focuses on combining statistical modeling and crop modeling to systematically assess the complex impacts of compound extreme weather events on crop yields and to quantify their possible agricultural disaster risks. He expects this work to help reveal the vulnerability of agricultural systems in the context of climate change, and also hopes this work will support global food security risk management and data-driven references for policy development.
Outside academia, Jinpeng enjoys playing table tennis with colleagues, walking in Laxenburg park to unwind, and travelling to explore new cultures. He believes these experiences bring new inspiration and perspectives for his future research and personal growth.
© Zrno | IIASALei Wang is a third-year Ph.D. student at China Agricultural University, where he is studying soil carbon storage in agricultural lands under changing climate conditions. He received his master's degree from Southwest University, Chongqing, China, in 2019, specializing in soil nutrient assessment using machine learning.
Before joining IIASA, Lei conducted research on digital mapping of ecosystem services, terrain, and soil using process-based and machine learning models. Inspired by AFE's impactful research, he sought the opportunity to learn advanced methodologies at IIASA and collaborate with its outstanding research team. His current work, mentored by the EPIC team, focuses on land use, landscape dynamics, and biophysical crop modeling at regional and global scales, with a particular emphasis on assessing and optimizing soil carbon storage in China's agricultural systems under climate change. He hopes that his research will contribute to mitigating the impacts of climate change on society.
Outside of his academic pursuits, Lei enjoys running in Laxenburg park, where he finds a quiet retreat in nature. On weekends, he loves to explore Vienna's museums and churches, immersing himself in its rich history and cultural heritage. These experiences not only provide relaxation but also deepen his appreciation for the local culture.
© Zrno | IIASAShilei Wang is currently in his third year of a Ph.D. program at Nanjing University, China. His research experience reflects a strong interest in crop cultivation structural transitions and the sustainable intensification of cropland use, leveraging multi-source data to develop adaptive management strategies for optimizing cropland resource utilization.
Shilei Wang has been drawn to the AFE group's pioneering research and advanced crop modeling efforts. He is particularly interested in applying the EPIC-IIASA model to explore and assess the combined effects of crop cultivation structural transformation on sustainable intensification in China-a crucial aspect for enhancing synergies among food security, soil health, and ecosystem sustainability. He firmly believes that the invaluable mentorship he receives from distinguished experts in this inclusive, supportive, and collaborative environment will significantly contribute to his future scientific research and career development.
Beyond his research pursuits, Shilei enjoys cooking, capturing nature through photography, and participating in various sports activities. He particularly enjoys playing table tennis with colleagues at IIASA and going for runs with friends in Laxenburg park.
IIASA - China as an NMO collaboration
China has been a member of IIASA since 2002 through the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC). Key areas of scientific collaboration include air pollution control, demographic impacts, and the rural energy transition.
The China Scholarship Council (CSC) supports Chinese students by providing funding for higher education and research opportunities at foreign institutions. This enhances international collaboration and enables Chinese students to gain global perspectives in their fields.
