About Qiyue Liu’s work
Qiyue Liu is an environmental engineer whose work is currently concerned with investigating the eco-hydrological impacts of climate change by improving the representation of vegetation dynamics in hydrological models.
Liu’s research is concerned with the accurate representation of vegetation in models that study the interactions between plants, water, and carbon cycles. Current models use a limited number of plant functional types (PFTs) and fixed parameters to describe root and phenology, which does not account for the spatial and temporal variations and adaptation ability of plant functions.
To improve this, Liu proposes to use data from plant functional traits studies to create a more dynamic and adaptable model that incorporates a spatially parameterized root water uptake model and an adaptive phenology routine. This enhanced model will allow for a better understanding of how different ecosystems respond to climate change and its impact on water availability and productivity.
Biography
Qiyue Liu graduated in 2018 from the University of Rochester with a BA in Mathematics and a BS in Environmental Science, achieving the highest distinction in the latter subject. For the period 2015-17, she was awarded a China-America Academic Exchange Program Scholarship. In 2021, she obtained her MSc in Environmental Engineering from Duke University. She is currently at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, pursuing her PhD research and studies.
