Leng, Q.,Svärd, E.,Qi, Z.,Niu, G.,Yang, H., Interpreting biosignatures from high latitudinal plant fossils: The influence of light regimes on ancient CO2 reconstruction, Goldschmidt2023 Abstract, 2023.

Turner, J.,Liang, J.,Wang, L.,Qi, Z.,Sylvia, J.,Yang, H.,Leng, Q., Conservation and paleoclimate applications of the endangered Dawn Redwood: new directions based upon enhanced paleobotanical techniques, 2023 Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America (Botany 2023), Boise, Idaho, USA, 22–26 July 2023, 2023.

Vahey, T.,Qi, Z.,Boutin, K.,Yang, H.,Leng, Q., An experiential learning approach to engage diverse student groups with climate change issues: Clarkia Miocene fossil flora as an example, 2023 Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America (Botany 2023), Boise, Idaho, USA, 22–26 July 2023, 2023.

Yang, H.,Leng, Q.,Hofig, D. F.,Zhang, Y.,Turner, J.,Pearson, A., Fidelity of high-resolution paleoclimate signals from the Middle Miocene Clarkia lacustrine deposit: From megafossils to molecular isotope, Goldschmidt2023 Abstract, 2023.

Yang, H.,Leng, Q.,Zhang, Y., The Middle Miocene Clarkia flora and associated biomolecules: 50 years of multi-disciplinary research, 2023 Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America (Botany 2023), Boise, Idaho, USA, 22–26 July 2023, 2023.

Yang, H.,Wu, H.,Vahey, T.,Fluegel, A.,Boutin, K. P.,Gravier, M.,Leng, Q., Engaging the public on climate change: A Harvard Radcliffe experience, Goldschmidt2023 Abstract, 2023.

Wang, H.,Liu, W.,Leng, Q.,Yang, L.,Zhao, H.,Yang, J.,Chen, Y.,Xiao, S.,Cao, Y.,Hu, J.,Qiang, X.,Cheng, P.,Du, H.,Li, X.,Yao, Y.,He, Y.,Zhao, Z.,Yang, H., 2000 years of lake-level fluctuations and human adaptation around China's largest freshwater lake, Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 2023.

Patalano, R.,Hu, J.,Leng, Q.,Liu, W.,Wang, H.,Roberts, P.,Storozum, M.,Yang, L.,Yang, H., Ancient Great Wall building materials reveal environmental changes associated with oases in northwestern China, Scientific Reports, 2022.

Patalano, R.,Leng, Q.,Yang, H., Ancient Great Wall building materials reveal environmental changes associated with oases in northwestern China, Scientific Reports, 2022.

Turner, J.,Qi, Z.,Liang, J.,Leng, Q.,Yang, H., The cleared leaf epidermis (CLE) technique and its application in ancient atmospheric CO2 reconstruction, Program and Abstract Volume of the “A Pale Blue Dot Under Pressure: Climate Change, Justice, and Resilience in our Rapidly Warming World” symposium, 2022.

Leng, Q.,Svärd, E.,Burke, K.,Niu, G.,Yang, H., Reconstructing Arctic paleo-environment: What light has to do with it?, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 2022.

Turner, J.,Leng, Q.,Burke, K.,Wang, L.,Yang, H., Critical paleobiological data for the conservation of endangered species: dawn redwood as an example, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 2022.

Vahey, T.,Boutin, K.,Leng, Q.,Yang, H., An experiential learning approach to engage diverse student groups with climate change issues: from geoscience to sustainability, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 2022.

Lu, H.,Liu, W.,Yang, H.,Leng, Q.,Liu, Z.,Cao, Y.,Hu, J.,Sheng, W.,Wang, H.,Wang, Z.,Zhang, Z.,Sun, Y.,Zhou, W.,An, Z., Decoupled land and ocean temperature trends in the early-middle Pleistocene, Geophysical Research Letters, 2022.

Liang, J.,Leng, Q.,Xiao, L.,Hofig, D.,Royer, D.,Zhang, Y.,Yang, H., Early Miocene redwood fossils from Inner Mongolia: Implications in paleoclimate and paleogeography, Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 2022.

Witkowski, C. R.,Leng, Q.,Reid, C. W.,Feng, L.,Yang, H., Tissue decay tested in modern Metasequoia leaves: Implications for early diagenesis of leaves in fossil Lagerstätten, Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 2022.

Burke, K.,Leng, Q.,Svärd, E.,Liang, J.,Yang, H., On the sunny side of the tree: the impact of leaf orientation on the Franks model for reconstructing ancient CO2, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 2022.

Patalano, R.,Hu, J.,Leng, Q.,Liu, W.,Wang, H.,Roberts, P.,Storozum, M.,Yang, L.,Yang, H., Desiccated organic materials from the ancient Great Wall of China as climate archives: environmental change and archaeological conservation in northwestern China, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 2022.

Svärd, E.,Leng, Q.,Burke, K.,Liang, J.,Yang, H., The effect of Arctic light on leaf gas exchange models: connecting greenhouse, field work, and classroom, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 2022.

Yang, H.,Leng, Q.,Höfig, D.,Zhang, Y., Risk assessment and adapting strategies for post-tipping point climate disruptions: Lessons from the middle Miocene, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 2022.

Liang, J.,Leng, Q.,Hofig, D.,Niu, G.,Wang, L.,Royer, D.,Burke, K.,Xiao, L.,Zhang, Y.,Yang, H., Constraining conifer physiological parameters in leaf gas-exchange models for ancient CO2 reconstruction, Global and Planetary Change, 2022.

Höfig, D.,Zhang, Y.,Leng, Q.,Liang, J.,Kim, B.,Feng, R.,Yang, H., Decadal-timescale CO2 and Temperature Records of the Middle Miocene Climate Optimum, 2021 Fall American Geophysical Union (AGU) Meeting, 2021.

Höfig, D.,Zhang, Y.,Leng, Q.,Liang, J.,Kim, B.,Feng, R.,Yang, H., Decadal-timescale CO2 and temperature records of the Middle Miocene Climate Optimum, 2021 Fall American Geophysical Union (AGU) Meeting, 2021.

Leng, Q.,Liang, J.,Burke, K.,Wang, L.,Yang, H., The impact of plant taphonomy on Franks Model parameterization for ancient CO2 reconstruction. , The 29th International Workshop on Plant Taphonomy (IWPT2021). Virtual Meeting in Maine, USA, and Bonn, Germany, 4-5 November 2021, 2021.

Hofig, D.,Zhang, Y.,Giosan, L.,Leng, Q.,Liang, J.,Wu, M.,Miller, B.,Yang, H., Annually resolved sediments in the classic Clarkia lacustrine deposits (Idaho, USA) during the middle Miocene Climate Optimum, Geology , 2021.

Liang, J.,Leng, Q.,Hofig, D. F.,Niu, G.,Xiao, L.,Zhang, Y.,Yang, H., Assessment of natural variations of key fossil parameters in conifer species and their impact on the accuracy of the leaf gas exchange model for ancient CO2 reconstruction, Goldschmidt2021 Abstract, 2021.

Liang, J.,Burke, K.,Xiao, L.,Leng, Q.,Yang, H., Clean cuticle or cleared leaf – fossil plant leaf preparation methods for pCO2 reconstruction, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 2020.

Hofig, D. F.,Zhang, Y.,Leng, Q.,Liang, J.,Wu, M.,Yang, H., Miocene Clarkia Lake deposit: archive of annual climate variability at 16 Ma, Goldschmidt2020 Abstract, 2020.

Liang, J.,Hofig, D. F.,Leng, Q.,Xiao, L.,Niu, G.,Zhang, Y.,Yang, H., Paleo-CO2 reconstruction based upon Metasequoia leaves: A comparison of different proxies using early Miocene fossils from Inner Mongolia, Goldschmidt2020 Abstract, 2020.

Zhang, Y.,Hofig, D. F.,Leng, Q.,Giosan, L.,Yang, H., The consumption rate of a natural CO2 pulse: lessons from the Middle Miocene, Goldschmidt2020 Abstract, 2020.

Liang, J.,Leng, Q.,Xiao, L.,Höfig, D.,Zhang, Y.,Yang, H., Multi-proxy reconstruction of ancient CO2 concentration for early Miocene of Inner Mongolia based upon fossil redwoods, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 2020.

Höfig, D.,Zhang, Y.,Leng, Q.,Wu, M.,Yang, H., Towards establishing decadal-timescale atmospheric CO2 records during the Middle Miocene Climate Optimum, 2019 Fall American Geophysical Union (AGU) Meeting, 2019.

Scott, N.,Leng, Q.,Yang, H., Cultivated dawn redwood records climate change in Rhode Island, The 17th Natural History Science Conference "Climate Change and Rhode Island's Natural History Future", 2019.

Wang, H.,Liu, W.,Leng, Q.,Yang, H., Two millennial water level fluctuations for Lake Poyang in southern China and the impact on historical settlements, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 2019.

Hofig, D.,Zhang, Y.,Leng, Q.,Wu, M.,Yang, H., Sedimentation rates of the middle Miocene Clarkia Lake deposit, Northern Idaho, USA, Goldschmidt Abstracts, 2019.

Liu, W.,Wang, H.,Leng, Q.,Liu, H.,Zhang, H.,Meng, X.,Cao, Y.,Yang, H., Hydrogen isotopic compositions along a precipitation gradient of Chinese Loess Plateau: Critical roles of precipitation/evaporation and vegetation change as controls for leaf wax δD, Chemical Geology, 2019.

Wu, M.,Leng, Q.,Yang, H.,Hofig, D. F.,Zhang, Y., Variations of stomatal frequency in Taxodium and Metasequoia populations at the mid-Miocene Clarkia Lake deposits: Implications for atmospheric CO2 reconstruction, Goldschmidt Abstracts, 2019.

Lu, H.,Liu, W.,Yang, H.,Wang, H.,Liu, Z.,Leng, Q.,Sun, Y.,Zhou, W.,An, Z., 800-kyr land temperature variations modulated by vegetation changes on Chinese Loess Plateau, Nature Communications, 2019.

Liu, H.,Yang, H.,Cao, Y.,Leng, Q.,Liu, W., Inter-molecular variations of fatty acid δD in algae and submerged plants from the north-eastern Tibetan Plateau, 2018 Fall American Geophysical Union (AGU) Meeting, 2018.

Yang, H.,Leng, ., Old molecules, mew climate: Metasequoia’s secrets, Arnoldia, 2018.

Yang, H.,Leng, Q.,Prete, J., Aquatic macrophytes in lakes: an overlooked source for long chain n-alkyl lipids in lake sediments, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 2018.

Liu, H.,Yang, H.,Cao, Y.,Leng, Q.,Liu, W., Inter-molecular variations of fatty acid δD in algae and submerged plants from the north-eastern Tibetan Plateau, Organic Geochemistry, 2018.

Yang, H.,Leng, Q.,Howard, K.,Yue, K., Interpreting long chain n-alkyl lipids in lake sediments: A critical evaluation of their sources and isotope signals, Goldschmidt Abstracts, 2018.

Leng, Q.,Yang, H., Miocene lake deposits in Idaho: A treasure-trove for Earth and Mars, 2018 NASA Rhode Island Space Grant Consortium Annual Spring Symposium, Rhode Island Space Grant (RISG), 2018.

Leng, Q.,Yang, H., The Mid-Miocene Clarkia Lake: a terrestrial lake analog for paleolakes on Mars, 2017 GSA Cordilleran Section 113th Annual Meeting, 2017.

Yang, H.,Leng, Q., The impact of extreme hydrological events and sea-level changes on early civilization in Asian Pacific: a molecular isotope analysis of sedimentary records, 2017 GSA Cordilleran Section 113th Annual Meeting, 2017.

Leng, Q.,Gall, A.,Newland, D.,Howard, K.,Yang, H., Phragmites, a troubling invader for some but important resource for others. Paper number “Sun-PM2-F-1”, Northeast Natural History Conference 2017 (the 17th NENHC), Cromwell, Connecticut, USA, 21-23 April 2017, 2017.

Leng, Q.,Yang, H., The Clarkia lacustrine deposit in Idaho (Mid-Miocene) as a terrestrial lake analog for paleolakes on Mars, Rhode Island Space Grant Consortium Annual Symposium, Program and Abstracts Volume, 2017.

Leng, Q.,Yang, H.,, ., A non-toxic and inexpensive histological microtechnique for biological and paleobiological research, Northeastern Geobiology Symposium 2017 Program and Abstract Book, 2017.

Wang, H.,Leng, Q.,Liu, W.,Yang, H., A rapid lake shallowing event terminated the preservation of Miocene Clarkia Fossil Konservat-Lagerstätte, Geology , 2017.

Yang, H.,Leng, Q.,, ., A molecular geobiological approach to study the Miocene Clarkia lacustrine fossil Lagerstätten, Northeastern Geobiology Symposium 2017 Program and Abstract Book, 2017.

Leng, Q.,Yang, H., A constrained test on the effect of atmospheric CO2 partial pressure (pCO2) on carbon isotope fractionations in C3 plants from Cenozoic fossil lagerstätten, Geological Society of America (GSA) 2016 Annual Meeting, 2016.

Yang, H.,Leng, Q., The middle Miocene Clarkia lacustrine deposit revisited: a quantitative paleoenvironmental assessment, Geological Society of America (GSA) 2016 Annual Meeting, 2016.

Yang, H.,Leng, Q., NASA EPSCoR-RID grant enhanced NASA-related programs at Bryant University, Rhode Island Space Grant Consortium Annual Symposium, Program and Abstracts Volume, 2016.

Yang, H.,Liu, W.,Leng, Q., Source of long chain n-alkanes and their stable isotope signatures in lake sediments: implications to paleoenvironment reconstruction, Geological Society of America (GSA) 2015 Annual Meeting Abstracts with Programs, 2015.

Patalano, R.,Wang, Z.,Liu, W.,Zheng, Y.,Sun, G.,Yang, H.,Leng, Q., Hydrological changes facilitated early rice farming in the lower Yangtze River Valley in China: A molecular isotope analysis, Geology, 2015.

Yang, H.,Leng, Q., From Earth to Mars: lake analog explored in the Laboratory for Terrestrial Environments at Bryant University, Rhode Island Space Grant Consortium Annual Symposium, Program and Abstracts Volume, 2015.

Liu, W.,Yang, H.,Wang, H.,Wang, Z.,Leng, Q., Carbon isotope composition of long chain leaf wax n-alkanes in lake sediments: A dual indicator of paleoenvironment in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Organic Geochemistry, 2015.

Rivas, N.,Flanagan, C.,Yang, H.,Leng, Q., Paleoenvironmental and Paleoclimatic Reconstruction of the Middle Miocene Clarkia Fossil Site: An Update, Geological Society of America (GSA) 2014 Annual Meeting Abstracts with Programs, 2014.

Yang, H.,Flanagan, R.,Leng, Q., Stable isotope signals from exceptionally-preserved plant fossils reveal paleo-physiological adaptations to different atmospheric conditions, 2014 Geological Society of America (GSA) Annual Meeting Abstracts with Programs, 2014.

Patalano, R.,Wang, Z.,Yang, H.,Liu, W.,Zheng, Y.,Sun, G.,Leng, Q., Plant biomarkers as climate proxies during early rice domestication, The 83rd Annual Meeting of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists (2014), 2014.

Yang, H.,Leng, Q., From molecules to martian deposits: Bryant University's NASA-related research programs, 2014 Rhode Island Space Grant Consortium Annual Symposium, 2014.

Rivas, N.,Vickers, J. M.,Yang, H.,Leng, Q., Quantitative reconstruction of ancient climatic parameters for Miocene Clarkia fossil lagerstätte, 49th Annual Meeting of the Northeastern Section of the Geological Society of America (GSA) Abstracts with Programs, 2014.

Witkowski, C.,Makepeace, C.,Zhou, Y.,Yang, H.,Leng, Q., A new pyrolysis based method to assess molecular preservation of ancient silk products, 49th Annual Meeting of the Northeastern Section of the Geological Society of America (GSA) Abstracts with Programs, 2014.

Yang, H.,Leng, Q., How decay and diagenesis influence isotope signals from plant fossils?, 49th Annual Meeting of the Northeastern Section of the Geological Society of America (GSA) Abstracts with Programs, 2014.

Witkowski, C.,Blais, B.,Feng, L.,Reid, C.,Wang, H.,Yang, H.,Leng, Q., Decay and early diagenesis of Metasequoia leaves: Implications for three-dimensional preservation and bulk isotope signals in plant fossil lagerstätten, 49th Annual Meeting of the Northeastern Section of the Geological Society of America (GSA) Abstracts with Programs, 2014.

Gupta, N.,Yang, H.,Cody, G. D.,Fogel, M. L.,Liu, W.,Sun, G.,Leng, Q., Molecular preservation and bulk isotopic signals of ancient rice from the Neolithic Tianluoshan site, lower Yangtze River valley, China, Organic Geochemistry, 2013.

Blais, B.,Gannon, C.,Patalano, R.,Yang, H.,Leng, Q., Bayesian parameter estimation in a 1D model of precipitation and evaporation: comparison of Middle Miocene and modern climates using plant lipid deuterium (δD) measurements, 2013 Geological Society of America (GSA) Annual Meeting, Abstracts with Programs, 2013.

Patalano, R.,Wang, Z.,Yang, H.,Liu, W.,Zheng, Y.,Sun, G.,Leng, Q., Molecular isotopic analysis reveals details of climate changes and its impact on the early development of rice domestication in eastern China during the Neolithic period, 2013 Geological Society of America (GSA) Annual Meeting, Abstracts with Programs, 2013.

Witkowski, C.,Feng, L.,Reid, C.,Wang, H.,Yang, H.,Leng, Q., The role of polysaccharides in preserving three-dimensional cell wall structures in plant fossil lagerstätten, 2013 Geological Society of America (GSA) Annual Meeting, Abstracts with Programs, 2013.

Gannon, C.,Blais, B.,Patalano, R.,Yang, H.,Leng, Q., Understanding the Middle Miocene climatic optimum: evaluation of deuterium values D related to precipitation and temperature, 2013 Geological Society of America (GSA) Annual Meeting, Abstracts with Programs, 2012.

Patalano, R.,Wang, Z.,Yang, H.,Liu, W.,Zheng, Y.,Leng, Q., Molecular carbon and hydrogen isotope profiles from the Neolithic Tianloushan site in China: implications for climate change during rice domestication, 2012 Geological Society of America (GSA) Annual Meeting, Abstracts with Programs, 2012.

Wang, L.,Yang, H.,Leng, Q., Variations of leaf stomatal frequencies complicate the reconstruction of ancient atmospheric CO2 concentration using Metasequoia fossil leaf cuticles, Abstract # SS14-O10 (273) in the Programs and Abstracts of SS14-The evolutionary history of conifers that are now endemic to Asia at the 13th International Palynological Congress/9th International Organisation of Palaeobotany Conference (IPC XIII / IOPC IX), 2012.

Yang, H.,Liu, W.,Gupta, N.,Leng, Q., How decay and diagenesis influence stable carbon isotope signals in plant fossils?, Abstract # SS14-O11 (588) in the Programs and Abstracts of SS14-The evolutionary history of conifers that are now endemic to Asia at the 13th International Palynological Congress/9th International Organisation of Palaeobotany Conference (IPC XIII / IOPC IX), 2012.

Witkowski, C.,Gupta, N.,Yang, H.,Williams, C. J., Briggs, D. E., Summons, R. E.,Leng, Q., Molecular preservation of three-dimensionally preserved Cenozoic fossil conifers at high latitudes, Palaios, 2012.

Noshiro, S.,LePage, B. A.,Momohara , A.,Nishida, H.,Uemura, K.,Williams, C. J.,Yang, H.,Leng, Q., Metasequoia: The Legacy of Dr. Shigeru Miki. Kanagawa: Japanese Association of Historical Botany, Japanese Journal of Historical Botany, 2011.

Yang, H.,Blais, B.,Leng, Q., Stable isotope variations from cultivated Metasequoia trees in the United States: A statistical approach to assess isotope signatures as climate signals, Japanese Journal of Historical Botany, 2011.

Yang, H.,Liu, W.,Hren, M. T.,Pagani, M.,Leng, Q., Variation in n-alkane δD values from terrestrial plants at high latitude: Implications for paleoclimate reconstruction, Organic Geochemistry, 2011.

Yang, H.,Wang, L.,Leng, Q., Research advance on Metasequoia: Applications of new technology, Science Foundation in China, 2010.

Langlois, G.,Yang, H.,Leng, Q., Early Paleogene Arctic terrestrial ecosystems affected by the change of polar hydrology under global warming: Implications for modern climate change at high latitudes, Science China Earth Science, 2010.

Yang, H.,Leng, Q., A new approach to reconstruct Paleogene atmospheric hydrology at high latitudes, Science Foundation in China, 2009.

Yang, H.,Wang, L.,Li, C.,Leng, Q., Discovery and evolution history of Metasequoia, Science Press, 2009.

Yang, H.,Leng, Q., Molecular hydrogen isotope analysis of living and fossil plants: Metasequoia as an example, Progress in Natural Science, 2009.

Gupta, N.,Yang, H.,Briggs, D. E.,Cody, G. D.,Summons, R. E.,Leng, Q., Diagenesis of plant biopolymers: A study of decay and macromolecular preservation of Metasequoia, Organic Geochemistry, 2009.

Yang, H.,Pagani, M.,Briggs, D. E.,Equiza, M. A.,Jagels, R.,LePage, B. A.,Leng, Q., Carbon and hydrogen isotope fractionations under continuous light: Implications for palaeoenvironmental interpretations at High Arctic during Paleogene Warming, Oecologia, 2009.

Research grants from NASA, ACS, NSFC, as well as governmental and private foundations,

Bryant University Research and Publication Award, 2009

Distinguished Faculty Award, 2006

US-China Public Intellectual Fellowship, 2005

Bryant University Research and Publication Award, 2001

Young Investigator Award, 2000

Alfred P. Sloan Fellow in Molecular Study of Evolution, 1993

Global Climate Change, Biogeochemistry, Paleobiology, Environmental Impact on Ancient Civilization

American Chemical Society (ACS)

American Geophysical Union (AGU)

Geological Society of America (GSA)

National Committee on United States-China Relations