Researcher | GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel | Germany
Dr. Ben Wanxuan Yao is an accomplished climate scientist specializing in biogeochemical modelling, carbon dioxide removal (CDR), and carbon capture and storage (CCS). His research integrates modelling, data analysis, and environmental assessment to evaluate the technical feasibility, effectiveness, and societal implications of carbon mitigation technologies. With extensive experience in developing CDR evaluation frameworks, he has advanced the global understanding of marine-based carbon removal and its integration within policy and sustainability contexts. He has led multidisciplinary research initiatives focused on site-specific CDR and CCS portfolio development, aligning scientific innovation with national and international climate goals. His work encompasses quantitative modelling of oceanic carbon and nutrient cycles, AI-based parameter calibration on high-performance computing systems, and holistic assessments of carbon sequestration techniques. His findings have been published in leading international journals, including Geophysical Research Letters, Earth’s Future, Environmental Research Letters, and Global Change Biology, providing critical insights into the environmental, economic, and ethical dimensions of marine carbon removal technologies. Beyond research, he has played a key role in facilitating collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and industry through workshops, think tanks, and conferences, strengthening the interface between science and decision-making in the field of climate solutions. His expertise in geospatial data analysis, system modelling, and sustainable innovation has positioned him as a valuable contributor to the evolving landscape of carbon management and environmental strategy. Dr. Yao’s academic excellence and research influence are reflected in his growing global recognition, with 67 citations, 8 publications, and an h-index of 5, underscoring his impactful contributions to the advancement of climate modelling and carbon removal science.
Featured Publications
1. Somes, C. J., Dale, A. W., Wallmann, K., Scholz, F., Yao, W., Oschlies, A., Muglia, J., & Achterberg, E. P. (2021). Constraining global marine iron sources and ligand‐mediated scavenging fluxes with GEOTRACES dissolved iron measurements in an ocean biogeochemical model. Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 35(8), e2021GB006948. Cited by: 30
2. Frenger, I., Landolfi, A., Kvale, K., Somes, C. J., Oschlies, A., Yao, W., & Koeve, W. (2024). Misconceptions of the marine biological carbon pump in a changing climate: Thinking outside the “export” box. Global Change Biology, 30(1), e17124. Cited by: 27
3. Yao, W., Kvale, K. F., Achterberg, E., Koeve, W., & Oschlies, A. (2019). Hierarchy of calibrated global models reveals improved distributions and fluxes of biogeochemical tracers in models with explicit representation of iron. Environmental Research Letters, 14(11), 114009. Cited by: 15
4. Kvale, K., Keller, D. P., Koeve, W., Meissner, K. J., Somes, C. J., Yao, W., & Oschlies, A. (2020). Explicit silicate cycling in the Kiel Marine Biogeochemistry Model, version 3 (KMBM3) embedded in the UVic ESCM version 2.9. Geoscientific Model Development Discussions, 1–46.Cited by: 10
5. Yao, W., Kvale, K. F., Koeve, W., Landolfi, A., Achterberg, E., Bertrand, E. M., & Oschlies, A. (2022). Simulated future trends in marine nitrogen fixation are sensitive to model iron implementation. Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 36(3), e2020GB006851. Cited by: 6
Dr. Wanxuan Yao’s work advances global climate solutions by integrating biogeochemical modelling with carbon removal science, enhancing the precision of Earth system projections and guiding sustainable carbon management strategies for policymakers and industry. His research bridges scientific innovation and environmental governance, driving impactful progress toward a low-carbon, resilient future.