Yunliang Li | Water Resources | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Yunliang Li | Water Resources | Best Researcher Award

Professor at Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

Yunliang Li is a distinguished researcher specializing in hydrological studies of floodplain lakes, with significant contributions to understanding surface-groundwater interactions, lake flood-pulse processes, and hydrological connectivity in highly heterogeneous floodplain settings. He has independently developed the Lake-Catchment Simulator v1.0, a large-scale numerical model that assesses the hydrodynamic and environmental responses of floodplain lakes to natural and human disturbances. With 71 peer-reviewed publications (including 41 SCI papers) and over 1352 citations, along with two academic monographs, his work has gained substantial recognition. He has received multiple prestigious awards, including the Second Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress from the China National Committee on Large Dams and the Changjiang Technology and Economy Society, as well as honors from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Ministry of Water Resources Science and Technology Talent. Holding 23 patents and software copyrights, his research not only advances scientific understanding but also contributes to practical environmental management. His future work aims to deepen insights into the impact of natural and anthropogenic disturbances on floodplain hydrodynamics, further cementing his influence in the field.

Professional Profile 

Education

Yunliang Li holds a strong academic background in hydrology and water resources, with advanced degrees that have laid the foundation for his expertise in floodplain lake dynamics and hydrological connectivity. He obtained his Ph.D. in Hydrology and Water Resources from a leading institution, where he conducted in-depth research on surface-groundwater interactions and floodplain hydrodynamics. Prior to that, he earned his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in related fields, equipping him with a solid understanding of eco-hydrology, numerical modeling, and environmental water management. His academic journey has been marked by interdisciplinary learning, innovative research, and technical skill development, enabling him to make substantial contributions to the field of hydrological science.

Professional Experience

Yunliang Li has an extensive professional background in hydrological research, focusing on floodplain lake dynamics, surface-groundwater interactions, and eco-hydrological modeling. He has been actively engaged in scientific research and technological innovation, contributing significantly to the development of hydrological connectivity theories and large-scale numerical simulation tools such as the Lake-Catchment Simulator v1.0. Throughout his career, he has led and participated in numerous high-impact research projects, systematically assessing the effects of extreme hydrological events and human activities on floodplain lakes like Poyang Lake. His expertise has been recognized through multiple prestigious awards and leadership roles in scientific committees, research institutions, and environmental assessment initiatives. In addition to his academic contributions, he has played a key role in patent development and software innovation, further bridging the gap between scientific research and practical water resource management. His ongoing work continues to advance the understanding of hydrodynamic processes, influencing both national and international water management strategies.

Research Interest

Yunliang Li’s research interests lie at the intersection of hydrology, eco-hydrodynamics, and environmental water management, with a particular focus on floodplain lake systems. He is dedicated to understanding surface-groundwater interactions, the hydrological connectivity of heterogeneous floodplains, and the impacts of natural and anthropogenic disturbances on lake hydrodynamics. His work involves developing advanced numerical modeling techniques, such as the Lake-Catchment Simulator v1.0, to assess hydrodynamic and environmental changes under extreme hydrological events and human interventions. Additionally, he is deeply interested in hydrological regulation, ecological restoration, and water resource sustainability, aiming to bridge theoretical research with practical applications for flood risk management, ecosystem conservation, and climate adaptation strategies. Through his research, he seeks to provide scientific insights and technical solutions for better managing floodplain lakes and water environments in response to global environmental changes.

Award nd Honor

Yunliang Li has received numerous prestigious awards and honors in recognition of his outstanding contributions to hydrological research and water resource management. He was awarded the Second Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress by both the China National Committee on Large Dams and the Changjiang Technology and Economy Society, highlighting his pioneering work in floodplain hydrodynamics and hydrological connectivity. He has also been honored as an Excellent Member of the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and was selected for the Jiangxi Province Thousand Talents Program, demonstrating his influence in advancing eco-hydrological research. Additionally, he has been recognized by the Ministry of Water Resources Science and Technology Talent Program for his contributions to water science and technology innovation. With 23 patents and software copyrights, his research has not only expanded scientific knowledge but also provided practical solutions for water resource management and environmental sustainability. These accolades underscore his leadership and impact in the field of hydrology.

Conclusion

Yunliang Li is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His groundbreaking contributions to hydrological connectivity, floodplain lake dynamics, and numerical modeling demonstrate excellence. His publication record, patents, and national recognition underscore his impact. Strengthening international collaborations and interdisciplinary applications could further enhance his standing. Given his contributions and achievements, he is a strong contender for this award.

Publications Top Noted

  1. Title: A distributed and process-based model coupling water-sediment-antibiotic interactions to simulate dynamic source-transport-fate of antibiotics at catchment scale

    • Authors: H. Xie, Hui; M. Shang, Meiqi; J. Dong, Jianwei; Y. Li, Yunliang; X.J. Lai, Xijun Jun

    • Year: 2025

    • Citations: 1

  2. Title: How do agricultural polders modulate nutrient dynamics under extreme flooding: Insights for water management in lowland areas

    • Authors: H. Xie, Hui; Y. Li, Yunliang; M. Shang, Meiqi; Y. Wang, Yang; X.J. Lai, Xijun Jun

    • Year: 2025

    • Citations: 0

  3. Title: Disentangling the spatially combined and temporally lagged influences of climate oscillations on seasonal droughts in the East Asian monsoon influenced Poyang Lake Basin

    • Authors: Z. Xing, Zikang; J. Wei, Jianhui; Y. Li, Yunliang; P. Laux, Patrick; H. Kunstmann, Harald

    • Year: 2024

    • Citations: 3

  4. Title: Hydrological Modeling to Unravel the Spatiotemporal Heterogeneity and Attribution of Baseflow in the Yangtze River Source Area, China

    • Authors: H. Ren, Huazhun; G. Wu, Guangdong; L. Shu, Longchang; Y. Li, Yunliang; Y. Wang, Yuxuan

    • Year: 2024

    • Citations: 0

  5. Title: Unravelling groundwater budget in the Poyang floodplain system under intensifying seasonal lake inundation

    • Authors: W. Jiang, Wenyu; B. Liu, Bo; Y. Li, Yunliang; C. Lu, Chengpeng; L. Shu, Longchang

    • Year: 2024

    • Citations: 2

  6. Title: The effects of damming and dam regulation on a river–lake-aquifer system: 3D groundwater flow modeling of Poyang Lake (China)

    • Authors: W. Jiang, Wenyu; B. Liu, Bo; Y. Li, Yunliang; C. Lu, Chengpeng; L. Shu, Longchang

    • Year: 2024

    • Citations: 3

  7. Title: Unveiling ionic structure in the LiF-NdF3 molten salt system as determined by Raman spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations

    • Authors: M. Lin, Ming; J. Guan, Jinzhao; M. Aziz Diop, Mouhamadou; Y. Li, Yunliang; P. Chen, Peng

    • Year: 2024

    • Citations: 2

  8. Title: Revealing temporal variation of baseflow and its underlying causes in the source region of the Yangtze River (China)

    • Authors: G. Wu, Guangdong; J. Zhang, Jianyun; Y. Li, Yunliang; H. Ren, Huazhun; M. Yang, Mingzhi

    • Year: 2024

    • Citations: 6

  9. Title: Tracing Water Recharge and Transport in the Root-Zone Soil of Different Vegetation Types in the Poyang Lake Floodplain Wetland (China) Using Stable Isotopes

    • Authors: X. Xu, Xiuli; J. Zhao, Jun; G. Wu, Guangdong; Y. Li, Yunliang; L. Hou, Lili

    • Year: 2024

    • Citations: 1

  10. Title: Impact of the Three Gorges Dam on hydrological connectivity and vegetation growth of Poyang Lake floodplain, China

  • Authors: J. Zeng, Jinfeng; J. Qiu, Jingfeng; Z. Wu, Zeyu; X. Liu, Xinggen; Y. Li, Yunliang

  • Year: 2024

  • Citations: 10

 

 

Fang Wang | Ecohydrology | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Fang Wang | Ecohydrology | Best Researcher Award

Professor (Grade II) at China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, China

Fang Wang is a distinguished researcher in watershed ecological hydrology with a prolific career spanning decades. She has led or participated in over 100 research projects and authored approximately 80 papers, including a widely cited work on ecological water demand in Northwest China. Her contributions include two groundbreaking innovations: the theory of ecological water demand supported by non-zonal vegetation and the identification of the water-salt threshold necessary for maintaining lake ecosystem stability. She has been honored with two National Science and Technology Progress Awards and five Great Yu Science and Technology Progress Awards. Currently serving as Deputy Chief Engineer at the Water Resources Institute, she has also held leadership roles, including Director of the Water Ecological Environment Department. In addition to her academic achievements, she has received multiple awards recognizing her contributions to water conservation and women’s advancement in science. Her work has had a significant impact on water resource management, influencing policies such as the evaluation of the Datong River Water Diversion Project for Qinghai Lake.

Professional Profile 

Education

Fang Wang holds a strong academic background in water resources and environmental studies. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Inner Mongolia Forestry College in 1986, followed by a Master’s degree from Hohai University in 1994. Continuing her pursuit of knowledge, she obtained a Doctorate from the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research in 2000. Her educational journey provided a solid foundation for her expertise in watershed ecological hydrology, which she has applied throughout her research career.

Professional Experience

Fang Wang has had an extensive and impactful career in water resources research and management. She began her professional journey with roles at the Inner Mongolia Workers’ University of Water Resources and the Inner Mongolia Electric Power Survey and Design Institute, gaining valuable experience before completing her doctorate. After earning her Ph.D. in 2000, she joined the Water Resources Institute at the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, where she has been actively engaged in research. She was promoted to Professor-Level Senior Engineer in 2008 and later served as Director of the Water Ecological Environment Department from 2014 to 2017. Since 2017, she has held the position of Deputy Chief Engineer at the Water Resources Institute. In addition to her leadership roles, she is a respected member of the National Committee for Wetland Science and Technology and the National Committee for Wetland Standardization, further solidifying her influence in the field of ecological hydrology and water resource management.

Research Interest

Fang Wang’s research interests lie in watershed ecological hydrology, with a strong focus on ecological water demand, wetland conservation, and water resource management. Her work explores the intricate relationship between water availability and ecosystem sustainability, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. She has made significant contributions to understanding non-zonal vegetation-supported ecological water demand and the water-salt balance necessary for maintaining lake ecosystem stability. Her research has played a crucial role in shaping policies related to water conservation, such as the evaluation of the Datong River Water Diversion Project for Qinghai Lake. Through her extensive studies, she aims to develop sustainable water resource management strategies that balance environmental protection with human water needs.

Award and Honor

Fang Wang has received numerous prestigious awards and honors in recognition of her outstanding contributions to water resource research and ecological hydrology. She has been honored with two National Science and Technology Progress Awards and five Great Yu Science and Technology Progress Awards for her groundbreaking research. Her influential paper, Research on Ecological Water Demand in Northwest China, earned the First Prize for Outstanding Papers from the China Association for Science and Technology and the Outstanding Achievement Award commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research. In addition to her scientific achievements, she has been recognized for her contributions to women’s advancement in water conservation, receiving titles such as “Advanced Individual for Women’s Work in Water Conservancy” (2011, 2017), “March 8th Red Flag Bearer”, “National Women’s Work Pioneer” (2018), and the “Women’s Work Award” celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research. These accolades highlight her significant impact on both scientific research and leadership in water resource management.

Conclusion

Fang Wang is a highly accomplished researcher with outstanding contributions to watershed ecological hydrology. Her extensive publications, pioneering theories, and leadership in water resource research make her a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Strengthening global collaborations and technological applications could further solidify her standing.

Publications Top Noted

  1. Compositional shifts and co-occurrence patterns of topsoil bacteria and micro-eukaryotes across a permafrost thaw gradient in alpine meadows of the Qilian Mountains, China

    • Authors: Z. Wang, Zhu; F. Wang, Fang

    • Year: 2025

    • Citations: 0

  2. Spatial Patterns of Soil Bacterial Communities and N-cycling Functional Groups Along an Altitude Gradient in Datong River Basin

    • Authors: Z. Wang, Zhu; Y. Liu, Yang; F. Wang, Fang

    • Year: 2024

    • Citations: 1

  3. Evaluation and comparison of 11 sets of gridded precipitation products over the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

    • Authors: P. Rao, Pinzeng; F. Wang, Fang; X. Yuan, Xing; Y. Liu, Yang; Y. Jiao, Yang

    • Year: 2024

    • Citations: 7

  4. Spatiotemporal characteristics and natural forces of grassland NDVI changes in Qilian Mountains from a sub-basin perspective

    • Authors: Z. Wang, Zhu; Y.C. Wang, Yioheng Cheng; Y. Liu, Yang; W. Deng, Wei; P. Rao, Pinzeng

    • Year: 2023

    • Citations: 8