Post Doctorate Research Associate
Post Doctorate Research Associate

Biography

Dr. Yang Qiu is a post doctoral research associate at the Joint Global Change Research Institute, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). His research focuses on understanding interactions across various human and earth systems using integrated, multi-sector approaches. Yang leads and participates in the development of the Global Change Analysis Model (GCAM) on various fronts, including critical mineral modeling capability, GCAM-KSA (a regional version of GCAM with an emphasis on Saudi Arabia), and scenario ensemble development. He also has extensive research experience across a range of topics, such as life cycle assessment, electricity optimization modeling, and carbon dioxide removal. He holds a PhD in Environmental Science & Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Prior to this, he earned two MS degrees—one in environmental science from SUNY College of environmental science and forestry and another in applied statistics from Syracuse University—and a BS in forestry from Beijing Forestry University.

Research Interest

  • Multisector modeling
  • Critical minerals and materials
  • Industrial ecology

Disciplines and Skills

  • Environmental science and management
  • Data analysis
  • Programming (R, Python)

Education

  • PhD - University of California, Santa Barbara
  • MS - State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry
  • BS - Beijing Forestry University

Affiliations and Professional Service

  • Joint Global Change Research Institute, PNNL

Awards and Recognitions

  • 2024 Outstanding Performance Award - PNNL

Publications

Qiu, Y., G. Iyer, N. Graham, M. Binstead, M. Wise, P. Patel, and B. Yarlagadda. Accepted. “The impacts of material supply availability on a transitioning electric power sector.” Cell Reports: Sustainability.

Tarroja, B., J. M. Schoenung, O. Ogunseitan, A. Kendall, Y. Qiu, T. Malloy, J. Peters, et al. 2024. “Overcoming barriers to improved decision-making for battery deployment in the clean energy transition.” Iscience 27 (6).

Qiu, Y., G. Iyer, J. Fuhrman, M. Hejazi, P. Kamboj, and P. Kyle. 2024. “The role and deployment timing of direct air capture in Saudi Arabia’s net-zero transition.” Environmental Research Letters 19 (6): 064042.

Ou, Y., G. Iyer, H. McJeon, R. Cui, A. Zhao, K T. V. O’Keefe, M. Zhao, Y. Qiu, and D. H. Loughlin. 2023. “State-by-state energy-water-land-health impacts of the US net-zero emissions goal.” Energy and Climate Change 4: 100117.

Dai, T., Y.-F. Liu, P. Want, Y. Qiu, N. Mancheri, W. Chen, J.-X. Liu, W.-Q. Chen, H. Wang, and A.-J. Wang. 2023. “Unlocking Dysprosium Constraints for China’s 1.5 C Climate Target.” Environmental Science & Technology 57 (38): 14114–14126. 

Qiu, Y. , S. Cohen, and S. Suh. 2022. “Decarbonization scenarios of the US Electricity system and their costs.” Applied Energy 325: 119679.

Qiu, Y., P. Lamers, V. Daioglou, N. McQueen, H.-S. de Boer, M. Harmsen, J. Wilcox, A. Bardow, and S. Suh. 2022. Nature Communications 13 (1): 3635.

Kosai, S., A. B. Badin, Y. Qiu, K. Matsubae, S. Suh, and E. Yamasue. 2021. “Evaluation of resource use in the household lighting sector in Malaysia considering land disturbances through mining activities.” Resources, Conservation and Recycling 166: 3635.

Wang, Q.-C., P. Wang, Y. Qiu, T. Dai, and W.-Q. Chen. 2020. “Byproduct surplus: Lighting the depreciative europium in China’s rare earth boom.” Environmental Science & Technology 54 (22): 14686–14693.

Chamas, A., H. Moon, J. Zheng, Y. Qiu, T. Tabassum, J. H. Jang, M. Abu-Omar, S. L. Scott, and S. Suh. 2020. “Degradation rates of plastics in the environment.” ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 8 (9): 3494–3511. 

Qiu, Y., and S. Suh. 2019. “Economic feasibility of recycling rare earth oxides from end-of-life lighting technologies.” Resources, Conservation, and Recycling 150: 104432.