Yongsong Huang (yongsong_huang@brown.edu)
Professor, IBES Elected Faculty

I have a broad interests in the use of molecular structures and isotopic ratios of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen in compound-specific organic materials from lake sediments, ocean sediments, vegetation, and meteorites. My analytical skills and understanding of organic analytical chemistry and organic geochemistry have enabled me to conduct research in a wide variety of fields, ranging from paleoclimatology (emphasis on continental paleoclimatology), to analytical chemistry and astrobiology.
Brown Research Profile | Google Scholar

Current Lab Members

Ewerton Santos
Postdoctoral Research Associate

I am a postdoctoral researcher participating in NASA’s OSIRIS-REx project, which aims to analyze the distribution and compound-specific isotopic composition of volatile organic compounds in the materials returned by the OSIRIS-REx mission. The primary goal of this investigation is to gain a better understanding of how planets formed and how life originated. By studying these organic compounds, we hope to uncover valuable insights into the processes that led to the development of life on Earth.

Bumsoo Kim (bumsoo_kim@brown.edu)
Postdoctoral Research Associate 

I am an organic geochemist and paleoceanographer. My research centers on using biomarkers and isotopes, aided by geochemical and climate models, to study the fundamental mechanisms that govern the Earth’s climate and environmental changes in the past, present, and future. Currently, I work with Yongsong Huang and Chris Horvat, to test sea ice model using multi-proxy reconstruction during past global warm periods. I am also participating in NASA’s OSIRIS-REx project for analyzing novel biosignatures on returned “Bennu” asteroid sample to investigate the origin of life on Earth and beyond.
Google Scholar | Personal Webpage

Desmond Yeo (desmondyeo@brown.edu)
PhD Student, IBES Graduate Affiliate

My research focuses on using organic geochemical proxies to reconstruct paleoenvironmental variability. I am particularly interested in the role of climate change, human migration, and ecological change as drivers of the Quaternary extinction event. I am an avid lover of animals and spend most of my time thinking of how to protect vulnerable natural ecosystems.

Lucas Jepsen (lucas_jepsen@brown.edu)
PhD Student

I am a first year PhD student interested in paleoclimate reconstruction and modelling. My education and experience has been somewhat broad, and now I am primarily interested in using geochemical proxies to help us understand Earth’s climate and environment in the past, present, and future. I am an avid skier, biker, and advocate for our planet.

Lanjun Wu (lanjun_wu@brown.edu)
Visiting PhD Student  from South China Sea Institute of Oceanology

My PhD work mainly focused on organic geochemistry and paleoceanography
using lipid biomarker and stable isotope as a tool to study Earth’s past climate and biogeochemical changes. Particularly, I am interested in reconstructing past marine sea surface temperature and productivity to evaluate its potential role in global carbon cycling and climate change – in the past, present, and future. I am interested in analytical techniques, such as gas and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, and isotope ratio mass spectrometry – for identifying molecular compounds and measuring their compound-specific stable isotopes. Aside from research, I love watch movies, do some indoor exercises, and travel with my friends.

Cameron Goodreau (cameron_goodreau@brown.edu)
Undergraduate Researcher

I am a senior undergraduate researcher developing a new method to analyze the volatile organics in extraterrestrial materials, including the Bennu sample returned by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission. Besides courses and research, I am part of the Brown figure skating club, SBUDNIC CubeSat team, and food lovers at Brown, and enjoy watching movies, reading, photography, and hanging out with friends.
LinkedIn

Alumni

Graduate Students
Sian Liao (PhD, 2022)
Karen Wang (PhD, 2022)
Sarah McGrath (PhD, 2022)
Richard Vachula (PhD, 2019)
Yinsui Zheng (PhD, 2018)
Gaoyuan Li (PhD, 2017; Jointly with China University of Geology, Beijing, PRC):
William Longo (PhD, 2017)
William Daniels (PhD, 2017; Joint student with Jim Russell)
James Dillon (PhD, 2016; in Chemistry)
Elizabeth Thomas (PhD, 2014)
Jiaju Zhao (PhD, 2014; Jointly with Nan Zhou University, PRC)
Susanna Theroux (PhD, 2012)
Li Gao (PhD, 2012)
Jaime Toney (PhD, 2011)
Jonathan Nichols (PhD, 2009):
William D’Andrea (PhD, 2008):
Juzhi Hou (PhD, 2008):
Megan Fuller (MSc, 2003)
Kristy Pond (MSc, 2002)

Postdoctoral Researchers
Yong Wang (2019-2020)
Jiang Chang (2019-2020);
Quanlian Li (2018-2019);
Yuan Yao (2017-2018)
Jiaju Zhao (2015-2017)
Min Ran (2017-2018)
Ann Dunlea (2017)
Li Wang (2016-2017)
Xiaodong Liu (2015-2016)
Rencheng Li (2015-2016)
Qingqiang Wang (2014-2015)
Li Li (2014-2015)
Jose Aponte (2010-2012)
Roland Zech (2009-2010)
Zhonghui Liu (2005-2006)
Yi Wang (2000-2005)
Weiguo Liu (2002-2003)
Jeremy Jacob (2003)

Undergraduate Researchers 
Grace Ma (Fall, 2023)
Xiaokang Xue (Spring, 2023)