We are delighted to welcome Prof. Dongyan Liu from the State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research (SKLEC), East China Normal University, as the new Chair of the IMBeR Scientific Steering Committee (SSC), effective immediately, following approval by the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research and Future Earth.
Dongyan is a distinguished scientist with an impressive background in marine ecology. Her research focuses on exploring the biophysical and physiological mechanisms by which algae adapt to changing environments (such as eutrophication and warming) and mitigating algal blooms. She has published more than 200 peer-reviewed research articles. Her research on massive macroalgal blooms in the Yellow Sea provided important information for scientists and environmental management. In recognition of her outstanding research achievements in marine sciences, she was honored with the 2023 Ruth Patrick Award by the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography.
Beyond her role as the Deputy Director of Scientific Research for SKLEC, Dongyan serves on the editorial board of Limnology and Oceanography-Letters as well as other academic journals. She has been actively engaged in global research programmes, including LOICZ (now Future Earth Coasts), Mega-Delta, ONCE, co-chairing the IMBeR Eutrophication Study Group, and co-leading the Grand Challenge I of the IMBeR Science Plan and Implementation Strategy (2016-2025).
We are confident that Dongyan’s expertise and extensive experience will strengthen the leadership of the SSC, building on the remarkable contributions from past Chairs and the SSC to conclude the current phase of the IMBeR project.