Steering Committee
Some of the amazing members in S4 2027. Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Yun-Chuan Chung
PhD student, University of Helsinki and National Taiwan University
I investigate Western Mediterranean speleothems from southern Europe and northern Africa to reconstruct past hydroclimate variability. My research focuses on how shifts in the westerlies influence precipitation patterns across multiple timescales, from decadal to orbital. By integrating stable isotope geochemistry and high-resolution chronologies, I aim to clarify atmosphere–ocean dynamics and regional climate responses to large-scale circulation changes.
Contact: yun-chuan.chung@helsinki.fi
Dr Daniel Muñoz-López
Postdoc, University of the Basque Country, Spain
My research interests include: (i) evaluating temperature changes, amplitude, and timing during abrupt climate transitions using cave records and sediments, (ii) reconstructing diagenesis of ancient rocks by means of carbonate geochemistry and geochronology, and (iii) assessing structurally-controlled fluid flow in compressional belts and sedimentary basins. My research focuses on the Pyrenees, the Alps, and Arabian Gulf
Contact: josedaniel.munoz@ehu.edu
Dr. Imen Arfaoui
Posdoctoral Researcher, Royal Museum for Central Africa - RMCA, Scientific collaborator, Liege University
My doctoral research at Liege University is centered on employing multidisciplinary approaches to study limestones Fm in the Karst region in the Northwest part of Tunisia. Concurrently, my work at RMCA involves studying the karst system in Kongo Central. This encompasses paleoclimate reconstruction, biocorrosion, and cave monitoring, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the geological and environmental dynamics in the region.
Contact: imen.arfaoui@africamuseum.be
Giulia Cheli
PhD student, University of Pisa
My work focuses on the geochemical study of continental carbonate archives in the circum-Mediterranean area to reconstruct Late Quaternary paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental changes. Using a multiproxy approach, my current research aims to develop high-resolution paleoclimate reconstructions of the Last Glacial Period from speleothems collected in Italy, Greece and Georgia. I also investigate the impact of climate variability on the development and dynamics of ancient populations and societies.
Contact: giulia.cheli@phd.unipi.it
Dr. Khalil Azennoud
Postdoctoral Researcher, Hainan University, Haikou, China
I am specializing in Quaternary paleoclimatology, sedimentology, and stable isotope geochemistry. My research focuses on reconstructing late Quaternary hydroclimate variability in Northwest Africa using carbonate archives, such as tufas, speleothems, and lake sediments, combined with multi-proxy approaches including carbonate isotopes, trace elements, and sedimentary facies analysis.
Contact: khalil.azennoud@usmba.ac.ma
Ana Entrena
Postdoc University of the Balearic Islands
I investigate coastal caves on the island of Mallorca to reconstruct past sea-level changes using Phreatic Overgrowths on Speleothems (POS) formed at former Mediterranean sea levels, providing insights into glacial/interglacial periods. My research focuses on the processes controlling their formation through petrographic and morphological analyses. Additionally, I study detrital materials within coastal cave systems to understand their origin, and examine modern speleothem deposits, such as calcite and aragonite rafts, along with their associated water geochemistry.
Contact: a.entrena.f@gmail.com
Kang Xie
PhD, University of Glasgow, UK
I am a final-year PhD candidate at the University of Glasgow, specialising in speleothem-based palaeoclimate reconstruction. His research integrates isotopic, geochemical, and petrographic analyses of coastal cave carbonates from western Scotland to investigate Late Holocene North Atlantic hydroclimate variability, storminess, and NAO-related atmospheric circulation. My work is particularly focused on proxy system interpretation and the links between climate dynamics, environmental change, and speleothem geochemistry.
Contact: K.xie.1@research.gla.ac.uk
Marlene (Maria Magdalena) Steck
Master student, University of Innsbruck
I am a master's student and lab technician in charge of the stable isotope Facility of the University of Innsbruck. My research interests include Quaternary Science, caves, speleothems, and speleogenesis. Currently, I am working on cryogenic cave carbonates and stalagmites from eastern Siberia to reconstruct past climate conditions.
Contact: Maria.Steck@uibk.ac.at
Yachna Verma
PhD student, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
I work on speleothem-based paleoclimatology, applying U–Th dating, stable isotopes, and trace elements to generate high resolution Holocene monsoon records from northeastern India. My research focuses on Indian Summer Monsoon variability, its driving (forcing) mechanisms, and its socioeconomic impacts.
Contact: yachnaverma08@gmail.com
Local committee
Liang Zeyuan
PhD, Xi'an Jiaotong University
Research focuses on the reconstruction of Holocene continental temperatures using water isotopes (δD, δ¹⁸O) extracted from stalagmite fluid inclusions. This quantitative paleothermometry method yields mean annual temperature records with minimal seasonal bias. The work contributes to resolving spatial and temporal patterns of global Holocene thermal evolution and to evaluating climate forcing mechanisms at orbital to multi-millennial timescales.
Contact: liangzeyuan@stu.xjtu.edu.cn
Jian Wang
PhD, Xi'an Jiaotong University
I specialize in high-precision carbonate U-Th and U-Pb dating methods and standard development. My research utilizes speleothems to reconstruct paleoclimate changes. I focus on establishing reliable chronological frameworks to reveal patterns of past climate variability, thereby providing scientific insights for understanding modern and future climate dynamics.
Contact: wangjian_1231@foxmail.com
Le Kang
PhD, Xi'an Jiaotong University
My research focuses on the development and application of U–Pb geochronology for carbonate minerals. I primarily establish high-resolution absolute chronologies of Quaternary speleothem records and use these archives to investigate paleoclimate evolution and the driving mechanisms of major climate events, particularly the most pronounced climate transition since the Quaternary—the Mid-Pleistocene Transition (MPT).
Contact: kangle_3mw3@outlook.com
Xiaowen Niu
PhD, Xi'an Jiaotong University
Using developed U-Pb dating, the Asian monsoon speleothem record is extended to ~800 ka, focusing on multi-proxies and millennial-scale event variability under different climate backgrounds.
Contact: nxw2160705032@stu.xjtu.edu.cn
Rui Zhang
PhD, Xi'an Jiaotong University
I investigate karst hydrogeology and speleothem-based paleoclimate reconstruction through cave monitoring, U-Th dating, stable isotopes, and trace-element geochemistry. My work focuses on how hydrological processes control aragonite and calcite precipitation and proxy preservation in stalagmites, and how high-resolution speleothem records reveal Asian monsoon variability during abrupt climate events. I also have extensive cave fieldwork and modern drip-water monitoring experience.
Contact: 1060326729@qq.com
Mei He
PhD, Xian Jiaotong University
Focusing on stalagmites' diagenetic process, its impact on the geochemical signals, and paleotemperature reconstruction by fluid inclusion water isotopes and microthermometry in stalagmites.
Contact: hemei@stu.xjtu.edu.cn
Past S4 committee
S4 Committee 2024 - 2025
(From left to right: Priyantan Gupta, Hao Ding, Artur Stachnik, Dr. Khalil Azennoud, Dr. Imen Arfaoui, Aniket Dhar, Alexandre Honiat, Laura Calabrò, Ali Raza, Belkasem Alkaryani (not pictured))
S4 Committee 2019 - 2022
(From left to right: Jonathan Baker, Marcela Godoy, Nela Sevcikova, Jessica von der Meden, Mojgan Soleimani, Hege Kilhavn, Elizabeth Patterson, Sebastian Hopker)
