# Hong Yang Charles J. Smiley Chair Professor of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Bryant University Harvard Radcliffe Fellow and Associate of the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and the Harvard China Project ![Hong Yang](/sites/g/files/omnuum3496/files/styles/hwp_4_5__480x600/public/2025-03/hong_yang_photo_0.png?itok=kB-ICCqe) email Professor Yang’s research interests include forces, rates, and ecological consequences of climate change, ranging from molecular investigations of modern and ancient organisms to global carbon cycles involving CO2 and CH4 changes in the present and the geological past. This involves a range of approaches from fieldwork on extraordinary fossils to laboratory experiments on molecular, organic geochemical, and stable isotopic investigations. Dr. Yang established Bryant University’s Laboratory for Terrestrial Environments and has served its co-director since 2008. At the Harvard China Project, Professor Yang collaborates with Professor Michael B. McElroy and other Harvard scholars to examine how climate change shaped the Chinese civilization, what’s the impact of energy structure changes during the past 40 years of economic development, and how China manages to decarbonize its economy and society as an emerging green energy superpower? The book project will synthesize the latest physical science data, archeological and anthropological evidence, and climate and economic modeling results to present stories of China’s evolving human-climate interactions to both English and Chinese readers. Professor Yang has co-edited three scholarly books and published more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific articles, including in leading journals such as “*Science*,” “*PNAS*,” “*Nature Communications*,” and “*Geology.*” Professor Yang has received more than 20 scientific awards, honors, and recognitions, including the prestigious Alfred P. Sloan Award and Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship. He has received Bryant University’s Research and Publication Award twice in 2001 and 2009, and a Distinguished Faculty Award in 2006. Dr. Yang is committed to international education, communication, and collaboration. He is a true believer that scientists and educators should take the leadership role in communicating climate change and its consequences and possible solutions to the public. The National Committee on U.S.-China Relations selected him as a national Public Intellectual Fellow for the years of 2005-2007. Association for International Education Administrators (AIEA) awarded him the 2014 Neal Presidential Fellowship Award. He was elected Fellow by Geological Society of America in 2019. Professor Yang received his bachelor's and master’s degrees from China University of Geosciences and his Ph.D. from the University of Idaho. He was an Alfred P. Sloan Postdoctoral Fellow at Wayne State University and University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and received executive development certificates from Graduate School of Education at Harvard University and Business School of Stanford University. Professor Yang also received honorary professorships from three Chinese universities and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Dr. Yang served as Bryant University’s inaugural Vice President for International Affairs during 2012 - 2023 and has traveled over 20 countries for lectures and research collaborations. - ## Research Interests [Climate Change & Air Pollution](/research-area/air-pollution-greenhouse-gases-climate) [Energy Systems](/research-area/energy-grid) [Environmental Health](/research-area/environmental-health) - ## Role [Faculty and Senior Researcher](/role/faculty-and-senior)