Dr. Shuning Li | Geochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Shuning Li, Peking University, China

Dr. Shuning Li is an Assistant Professor at the School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, specializing in stable isotope geochemistry. Her research bridges geology, biology, and climate science through innovative isotopic techniques. She has held postdoctoral positions at UCLA and Rice University, advancing cutting-edge methods to trace carbon, nitrogen, and methane cycles. A Johns Hopkins PhD graduate, Dr. Li has been instrumental in national projects on tectonics, meteorite impact studies, and geochemical processes. Her multidisciplinary expertise supports global understanding of Earth system science, making significant contributions to both theoretical and applied geochemistry. 🌏🧪📊

Publication Profile

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🎓 Education

Dr. Shuning Li earned her PhD in Geochemistry from Johns Hopkins University, where she investigated triple oxygen isotope distributions in atmospheric and terrestrial systems under the supervision of Dr. Naomi E. Levin. She holds dual Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) in Geochemistry and Finance. In geochemistry, she studied polyphase inclusions in ultrahigh-pressure eclogites in the Dabie Orogenic Belt with Prof. Yongfei Zheng. In finance, she was mentored by Prof. Wang Xiangning. This strong interdisciplinary foundation supports her innovative work in Earth system isotope analysis. 🎓🌍💼

🧑‍🔬 Experience

Since 2017, Dr. Li has served as Assistant Professor at Peking University, leading projects on isotope geochemistry and participating in major national programs on plate tectonics and meteorite impact. Previously, she was a postdoctoral fellow at UCLA with Prof. Edward D. Young, researching methane origins through rare clumped isotopes, and at Rice University with Prof. Laurence Y. Yeung, where she developed triple nitrogen isotope techniques for tracing the global nitrogen cycle. Her roles across prestigious institutions have equipped her with comprehensive expertise in developing and applying isotope methods to critical Earth science problems. 🛰️🧫🔍

🏆 Awards and Honors

Dr. Shuning Li has been a key investigator and collaborator in several prestigious projects funded by China’s National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Key Research and Development Program. Her research has been recognized through competitive grants like the General Program, Special Projects on Chang’e-5 lunar samples, and key studies on plate tectonics and craton destruction. Her leadership and participation in these multi-year programs underscore her excellence in stable isotope geochemistry and contributions to Earth system science. These honors reflect her national and international scientific impact. 🏅🇨🇳📚

🧭 Research Focus

Dr. Li’s research centers on developing high-precision stable isotope techniques—such as triple oxygen, clumped carbonates, nitrogen, and methane isotopes—to explore interactions within the Earth system. She investigates geochemical signals that link geological processes, biological activity, and climate dynamics. Her focus includes analyzing peridotites in orogenic belts, understanding subduction-related carbon cycles, and studying extraterrestrial materials from lunar missions. She pioneers isotopic tools for tracing fluid origins, tectonic regimes, and planetary evolution. Her innovative methodologies enhance our understanding of Earth’s past and future habitability. 🧬🧭🌐

Publication Top Notes

📘 The relative abundances of resolved l2CH2D2 and 13CH3D and mechanisms controlling isotopic bond ordering in abiotic and biotic methane gases – 172 citations – 2017 🔬🌍🔥
📘 Measurement of δ18O, δ17O, and 17O-excess in Water by Off-Axis Integrated Cavity Output Spectroscopy and Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry – 152 citations – 2013 💧🧪📈
📘 Triple oxygen isotopes in biogenic and sedimentary carbonates – 131 citations – 2014 🦴⛏️⚗️
📘 Continental scale variation in 17O-excess of meteoric waters in the United States – 121 citations – 2015 🌧️🗺️🇺🇸
📘 Triple oxygen isotope composition of leaf waters in Mpala, central Kenya – 45 citations – 2017 🌿🌍💦
📘 Extreme enrichment in atmospheric 15N15N – 42 citations – 2017 🌫️🧬📡
📘 Element mobility during continental collision: insights from polymineralic metamorphic vein within UHP eclogite in the Dabie orogen – 40 citations – 2013 🏔️⚒️🌡️
📘 Seasonal variations in triple oxygen isotope ratios of precipitation in the western and central United States – 11 citations – 2023 ☔🌀🇺🇸
📘 Learning from the impacts of superstorm Sandy – 5 citations – 2014 🌪️🌊🏙️
📘 Factors associated with severe corneal endothelial damage following acute primary angle closure in Chinese subjects – 4 citations – 2023 👁️🧑‍⚕️🔬
📘 Variation in retinal nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell complex associated with optic nerve head size in healthy eyes – 3 citations – 2023 👓🔍🧠
📘 High frequency trends in the isotopic composition of Superstorm Sandy – 3 citations – 2015 🌀🌬️🌧️
📘 Efficacy of Morning Versus Evening Latanoprost/Timolol Fixed Combination for Open-Angle Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension: A Randomized Clinical Trial – 2 citations – 2024 ⏰💊👁️