Yongshun Chen is a Chair Professor at Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), where he serves as the founding director of the Department of Marine Science and Engineering. Previously, he was a Professor at Peking University's School of Earth and Space Sciences and an Associate Professor at Oregon State University's Institute of Oceanography. He is currently the President of InterRidge, the international association for mid-ocean ridge studies. Chair Professor, Southern University of Science and Technology (2013-present) Professor, Peking University, School of Earth and Space Sciences (2001-2013) Associate Professor, Oregon State University, Institute of Oceanography (1990s-2001) PhD in Geophysics, Princeton University (1989) Bachelor's degree in Geophysics, University of Science and Technology of China (1982) Professor Chen's research focuses on marine geophysics and seismotectonics, with particular emphasis on the dynamics of oceanic spreading plate boundaries and the formation mechanisms of the oceanic crust. His pioneering work has provided explanations for seismic observations of mid-ocean ridges and continental ophiolite suites. After returning to China in 2001, he pioneered the field of "seismic geotectonics" in mainland China, conducting mobile seismic array observations and developing seismological methods to study the three-dimensional structure of the crust and upper mantle in key tectonic regions. His research has led to several significant contributions, including the "corner flow" model for the asthenosphere in southern Tibet, a new model of Indian lithosphere subduction beneath Tibet, and a "local upper mantle convection model" to explain intraplate volcanism in Northeast China. His work has had substantial impact on the international geoscience community, with his oceanic crust formation model being widely adopted by marine geologists. Professor Chen has published over 130 academic papers with more than 2,038 citations, including a single paper with 270 citations. His research spans marine geophysics, seismic tomography, crustal and mantle structure, plate tectonics, and volcanic processes, with a particular focus on the Tibetan Plateau and Northeast China. National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (2002) Editor-in-Chief of Marine Geophysical Researches (2004-2008) Editor of Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth Reviewer for the Earth Science Department of the National Natural Science Foundation of China Professor Chen has supervised numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. He has led more than ten major research projects, including those funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, 973 and 863 programs of the Ministry of Science and Technology, and special projects for earthquake research. His research group utilizes advanced seismic techniques and collaborates with international institutions to study Earth's structure and dynamics. As the founding director of the Department of Marine Science and Engineering at SUSTech, Professor Chen has established research teams focusing on marine geophysics, ocean dynamics, and seafloor exploration. His department conducts field observations using mobile seismic arrays and collaborates on international ocean drilling programs to advance understanding of Earth's structure and evolution.
