John J. Y. He

John J. Y. He is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), having joined the faculty in July 2024. His interdisciplinary research focuses on continental tectonics and the surface response to deep lithosphere removal.

His research interests include structural geology, sedimentology, thermochronology, and metamorphic petrology. He investigates the movement and transformation of matter in the lithosphere, with specific attention to sedimentation, deformation, exhumation, uplift, magmatism, and geomorphology. He also applies novel analytical techniques like in-situ beta decay analyses and geodynamic modeling to address complex tectonic problems.

Recent publications demonstrate expertise in tectonics and thermochronology, with studies on Laramide orogeny processes and Antarctic erosion dynamics utilizing advanced dating methods and field observations to unravel lithospheric evolution.

Scientific awards include:

• ARCS Foundation Papadopoulos Scholar (2022-2023)
• Tectonophysics OSPA Award (2022)

He actively recruits graduate students and post-doctoral researchers, collaborating with prominent scientists such as Paul Kapp on lithosphere studies and Pete Reiners on thermochronology applications.