Dr. LIU Linyi, an assistant researcher at the Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was awarded the Emerging Leader Award by the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) during the GEO Global Forum held in Rome, Italy, on 7 May 2025.

The GEO Emerging Leader Award recognizes outstanding young professionals under the age of 35 who demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation, and international collaboration in the field of Earth observations. Dr. Liu was specifically honored for his significant contributions to remote sensing technologies for crop pest and disease monitoring and forecasting.

As the principal investigator of a project supported by the National Key R&D Program of China, Dr. LIU has developed advanced methodologies for detecting and responding to crop stress caused by pests and diseases. His work has led to breakthroughs in multi-scale monitoring, intelligent big data management, and high-performance forecasting model computation.

These advancements have had a tangible impact on both national and international levels. In China, his research findings have been adopted by key government agencies responsible for agriculture and forestry management.

Internationally, Dr. LIU’s methodologies are being utilized by global organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and agricultural authorities in countries such as Pakistan and Kenya, contributing valuable insights for global food security efforts.

Furthermore, Dr. LIU is a core member of the “Global Vegetation Pest and Disease Dynamic Remote Sensing Monitoring and Forecasting” initiative. This initiative has been officially integrated into the GEO Post-2025 Work Programme, underscoring the relevance and alignment of his work with GEO’s future priorities.

His recognition by GEO as an emerging leader highlights the increasing contributions of young Chinese scientists to the advancement of Earth observation science and its application in addressing critical global challenges like food security.

Dr. LIU Linyi receives the Emerging Leader Award by the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) during the GEO Global Forum. (Image by AIR)