My research interests

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My research interests cover a wide spectrum of hard-rock geology, surface processes and geomorphology, environmental geology and hazards, interactions between natural processes and human beings, and GIS applications in geoscience, environment, and urban infrastructural management. I have several on-going research projects and would like include students.

My research interests as a geologist:

I was firstly trained as a geologist and I keep doing geologic research for many years. My current research interests in geology are briefly summarized below.

1. Continental crust deformation mechanisms and origin of magmas and their emplacement mechanisms. I am currently interested in orogen-parallel transcurrent fault systems and ductile shear zones and their mechanics and dynamics. I have been studying the Norumbega Fault located in central- and central-eastern Maine for years. I receive financial support from USGS through Maine Geological Survey to work on the fault. I also work with Chinese and Australian geologists on the lithospheric deformation style and related issues caused by Indian continent underthrusting beneath the Tibetan Plateau. We have proposed a "slab tear" model to address the along-strike differences in geology, tectonics, geomorphology, and metallogeny on the Himalayan Mountains and the Tibetan Plateau (link to a media report). A China National Natural Science Foundation grant recently awarded to us allows us to continue our fieldwork in Tibet and its vicinity and research for next years (9, 2007-9, 2010). I study the Turner Mountain syenite intrusion located 20 miles northeast of Bangor, Maine for several years. I am interested in its age, its emplacement mechanism, and its relation to the Norumbega Fault. I also have collaboration with Chinese geologists dealing with some granite plutons located in south China. Another China's National Natural Science Foundation grant recently awarded will allow us to study a huge granitic pluton, Guposhan pluton which is located in eastern Guangxi Province of China, its emplacement history, deformation styles, and its relation to mineral deposits.

2. Structural controls on ore deposits. I have been involved in several projects on mineralization process and rock deformation mechanisms for gold and copper deposits in China in past years. Recently (2005 – present) I work with Chinese geologists on a project funded through Chinese National Natural Science Foundation. It involves several copper and gold deposits in Dexing copper and gold district, the largest copper and gold ore field in south China.

3. Petroleum basin structures and basin dynamics. I currently work with my Chinese collaborators on the petroleum-prolific Nanpu Sag of the giant Bohai Bay Basin of northeastern China and the Sanshui Basin located in south China. We study their stratigraphy and volcanic records to reconstruct tectono-stratigraphic sequences and to decipher their dynamic evolution history. Our goal is to understand continental rifting mechanisms and crust-mantle coupling processes in east China.

My research interests as an environmental scientist and a GIS specialist:

I was later trained (especially during my doctorate studies at graduate school) to be an environmental scientist and a GIS specialist. My current interests mainly include:

1. Physical aspect of surface processes and their hazards and impacts in human environment, and the interactions between surface processes and human actions. I am also interested in issues of climate change, energy, and environment especially environment in populated areas. I have collected numerous data and information of environmental hazards in populated areas for my teaching environmental geology course, and focus on fast developing countries such as China. During my most current trip to China around the Christmas of 2007, I was invited to tour a wastewater treatment plant and a new construction site of landfill to do an evaluation. I have also been involved in several projects regarding investigation and litigation of landslides and karst sinkhole collapses in south China.

2. As a geography-oriented environmental scientist, I apply GPS and GIS skills to investigation and study of environmental issues, and to municipal urban infrastructure mapping and management. With great support from the administration and Computer Services, I have built and developed a fast-growing GIS program from scratch at the University of Maine at Presque Isle from the spring 2006, and now I am heading the GIS program and teach a two-semester GIS sequence course, GIS I – Fundamentals of GIS and GIS II – Applications in GIS and Advanced Spatial Analysis. I supervise students in my GIS classes to work on various projects. For example, students work as paid interns on projects for local municipal public works departments of Presque Isle and Fort Fairfield to collect data of city infrastructures such as storm water catch basins, fire hydrants, and sidewalks/curbs with Trimble GPS and build geodatabases with ArcGIS (link to a media report).

3. I am interested in bringing GPS and GIS technologies to k-12 classes and building partnerships with public schools. I have been involved in a federal Title II B grant awarded last summer to the university. With the grant, we have hired a half-time GIS Specialist to work with me to conduct GPS and GIS workshops for local middle and high school students. Historically, it’s the first time in northern Maine that a number of k-12 students have been exposed to modern geospatial technology (link to a media report). My involvement in the grant and workshops made me to be selected to represent state of Maine higher education to attend 2007 STEM Summit held at Washington D. C. (link to a media report).