Yan Cheng

Yan Cheng is a Guest Researcher in the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management within the Faculty of Science at the University of Copenhagen. A recently minted PhD graduate (awarded May 2025), Cheng specializes in environmental science and computer science with expertise in deep learning applications for earth observations and terrestrial ecosystem analysis under climate change.

• PhD in AI for Earth Observation, University of Copenhagen (2021-2025)
• MSc in Natural Resources Management, University of Twente (2017-2019)
• BSc in Geographical Information Science, Wuhan University (2013-2017)

Cheng's research integrates remote sensing, climate science, and artificial intelligence to address critical environmental challenges. Primary focus areas include tree mortality mapping, climate risk assessment for infrastructure, and phenology analysis of vegetation cycles. Their work leverages high-resolution satellite imagery (PlanetScope, Sentinel-2) and develops novel computer vision techniques for ecosystem monitoring. Cheng maintains active collaborations across multiple continents, with recent visits to ETH Zürich, Wuhan University, Southern University of Science and Technology, and USGS.

Notable research outputs demonstrate Cheng's leadership in developing frameworks for multi-hazard climate risk assessment and creating the deadtrees.earth database initiative. Their publications span high-impact journals including Nature Communications, Remote Sensing of Environment, and Communications Earth and Environment, with significant attention from both academic and policy communities.

• DDSA Travel Grant 2023
• IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society Travel Grant
• ITC Excellence Scholarship
• Outstanding PhD Students Award (2024)

Cheng has served as teaching assistant for the MSc course 'Satellite Image Processing and Analysis in the Big Data Era' and maintains external positions including Remote Sensing Specialist (2022-2024). Their research has garnered significant attention with multiple news outlets, policy references, and substantial social media engagement across X, Reddit, and Bluesky platforms.

Through the deadtrees.earth initiative, Cheng leads a global collaborative effort to build an open-access database for centimeter-scale tree mortality monitoring, demonstrating commitment to open science and collaborative environmental research.