CS&E Colloquium: Earth and Environmental Sciences in the Era of Big Data and AI

The computer science colloquium takes place on Mondays from 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. This week's speaker, Xinyuan Zheng (University of Minnesota), will be giving a talk titled "Earth and Environmental Sciences in the Era of Big Data and AI".

Abstract

The Earth system is complex, dynamic, and interconnected across space and time. Understanding key processes such as ocean circulation, climate change, and environmental evolution increasingly depends on integrating large, diverse datasets—from geochemical measurements to satellite observations and model simulations. Many of these questions represent grand challenges facing human society today, with practical implications for environmental sustainability, economic resilience, and resource management. At the same time, Earth and environmental sciences address some of the most profound basic science questions, including the origin of life, the long-term evolution of Earth's environments, and the search for life beyond our planet. As the field moves into the era of big data and AI, new collaborations across disciplines—esp cially with computer science and engineering—are becoming essential for unlocking solutions and discoveries critical to both our future and our understanding of the universe. In this talk, I will highlight several case studies where such interdisciplinary collaborations are emerging or urgently needed.

Biography

Dr. Xinyuan Zheng is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities. He received his PhD from University of Oxford. His research focuses on applying advanced isotope analysis and geochemical techniques to study Earth’s surface processes, ocean chemistry, and global environmental change. He is also interested in emerging data-driven approaches to tackle geological and environmental questions. Dr. Zheng is working on several interdisciplinary projects funded by the National Science Foundation, the American Chemical Society, and the National Institutes of Health. He received the NSF CAREER Award in 2023.