Introducing New EAS Faculty
New Assistant Professors of Geology and Geophysics
Dr. Kunxiaojia (Tammy) Yuan
Dr. Kunxiaojia (Tammy) Yuan is a climatologist and ecologist who explores how ecosystems respond to climate dynamics and disturbances (e.g., wildfire, deforestation, flooding) through carbon-water-energy nexus, with a particular focus on wetland and forest ecosystems. Her research aims to assess ecological and climate risks and to advance nature-based solutions that enhance ecosystem services and resilience. To achieve this, she integrates a range of tools and approaches, including advanced machine and deep learning, causal inference, Earth system models, remote sensing and field measurements (e.g., eddy covariance, chambers and isotopes).
Before joining UH, Tammy was a Postdoctoral Researcher at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. She earned her Ph.D. in Geographic Information Science and B.Eng. in Remote Sensing from Wuhan University. During doctoral studies, she spent over three years at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory as an affiliate researcher, where she began her journey as an ecologist. She also worked at Google X as an AI Resident (intern), where she led the development of causal inference and AI algorithms for climate studies.
When not at work, Tammy enjoys hiking scenic trails, experimenting in the kitchen, and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Dr. Jinping “Joe” Hu
Dr. Jinping “Joe” Hu is a planetary geologist who studies planetary impacts, mineralogy of meteorites, and materials under extreme conditions. His research utilizes advanced electron microscopy and in situ microanalysis techniques, as well as laboratory shock-wave experiments. He is interested in understanding how igneous, metamorphic, impact and aqueous processes modify the geology of planetary bodies, from the nanoscale tracers found in meteorites.
One of the highlights of Dr. Hu’s research involves the development of novel shock-wave experiments of delicate pressure-temperature-strain-time paths that resemble the planetary impact conditions. These experiments better constrained the shock conditions experienced by meteorites and surficial rocks from Mars and advanced the knowledge of their impact histories. Building on his experimental expertise, Dr. Hu’s current projects include:
- Laboratory work for understanding the lithification, metamorphism and geochronology of Martian regolith breccia. This collaborative project led by Dr. Hu combines the aspects of shock-wave experiments, scanning/transmission electron microscopy and noble gas geochemistry.
- Microanalysis of shock-metamorphosed and aqueously altered features in Martian meteorites from different geological periods and settings, to construct a more comprehensive picture of Martian surficial evolution.
- The impact histories of chondritic parent bodies and their constraints on the solar system dynamics, from the perspective of the impact conditions revealed by high-pressure features in meteorite samples.
Besides his geological and planetary science research, Dr. Hu is interested in the shock-wave behavior of novel materials. He participated in projects funded by the Office of Naval Research to study the equation of state of soda-lime glass and a series of studies on the properties of quasicrystal alloys.
Outside academic life, he fixes and refurbishes electronics for fun. He and his wife, Brooke, have a domestic long-haired cat named Panda. They go hiking, birding, and photographing in their free time.