Yichen Gengyichen_geng@g.harvard.edu
EDUCATIONHarvard University, Cambridge, MAPh.D., Earth and Planetary Sciences
M.S., Data Science
Brown University, Providence, RI
B.A., Geology – Physics/Mathematics – Honors and Applied Mathematics

Expected May 2026
May 2021
May 2019

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Dept. of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Graduate Student; Advisor: Prof. Miaki Ishii
September 2021 – Present
Analyzed body-wave propagation in a prestressed medium. In addition, developed a novelautomatic phase-picking algorithm for processing seismic array data.
Dept. of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MAResearch Assistant; Advisor: Prof. Miaki Ishii
June 2020 – August 2021
Investigated the core-mantle boundary structure using PcP waves.
Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA
Research Assistant; Advisor: Prof. William Frank
September 2020 – August 2021
Studied the characteristics of aftershock activity following the 2014 Mw8.1 Iquique earthquake.
Dept. of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI
Research Assistant; Advisor: Prof. Karen Fischer
Summer 2017, Summer 2018 – Spring 2019
Studied the mantle anisotropy and deformation beneath the Hindu Kush-Pamir region and theU.S. using shear-wave splitting observations.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
E-PSCI 165/265: Introduction to Seismology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Teaching Fellow
Fall 2023
Helped with instruction, graded exercises, provided feedback to final projects. Students are
introduced to earthquakes and seismic waves.
Freshman Seminar 23I: GeoScifi Movies, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Teaching Fellow
Fall 2022
Helped with instruction, graded weekly assignments, and held weekly office hours. Students
watch natural-disaster related movies, learn the science behind the scenes, and apply math andphysics concepts to develop “back-of-the-envelope” calculations that assess the realism.
MATH 1120: Partial Differential Equations, Brown University, Providence, RI
GraderSpring 2019
Graded weekly assignments. Students are introduced to classic equations in mathematicalphysics.

MENTORING EXPERIENCEEPS Short-Term Program, Dept. of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University,Cambridge, MAMentor
August 2023
Advised an undergraduate student on a three-week project to study the subsurface structures
beneath Japan using seismic waves. Instructed the student on how to read seismic recordings,
wrote a software for the student to process these recordings, and guided the student to interpretthe processed data. Held weekly check-in meetings.
Summer Program at Harvard in Earth and Environmental Research (SPHEER), Harvard
University, Cambridge, MA
Peer Mentor for a cohort of 10 undergraduate students
July 2023
Hosted weekly workshops on science skills (e.g., constructing a presentation). Provided logistic
supports for the students.
PUBLICATIONS (* - In. Prep.)
Geng, Y. and Ishii, M. (in prep.). A Novel Cross-Correlation-Based Automatic Phase-Picking
Algorithm for Seismic Array Data and its Application to PcP Arrivals
Geng, Y. and Ishii, M. (submitted 2022). Body-Wave Speeds and Polarizations in the Presenceof an Initial Deviatoric Stress, submitted to Geophysical Journal International
PRESENTATIONS
Geng, Y. and Ishii, M. (2023). Anisotropy in the Presence of an Initial Deviatoric Stress,
Abstract DI42A-09 presented at 2023 AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, 11 – 15 Dec.
Geng, Y. and Ishii, M. (2023). Heterogenous Structures beneath Japan Illuminated by CoreReflected Seismic Waves, Abstract DI14A-03 presented at 2023 AGU Fall Meeting, SanFrancisco, CA, 11 – 15 Dec.
Geng, Y. and Ishii, M. (2022). A Novel Cross-Correlation-Based Automatic Phase-Picking
Algorithm for Seismic Array Data and its Application to PcP Arrivals, Abstract S43B-06
presented at 2022 AGU Fall Meeting, Chicago, IL, 12 – 16 Dec.
Geng, Y., MacDougall, J., West, J. M., and Fischer, K. M. (2019). Seismic Anisotropy andMantle Deformation beneath the Hindu Kush-Pamir Region, Abstract DI21B-0029 presented at
2019 AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, 9 – 13 Dec.
AWARDS
American Geophysical Union Outstanding Student Presentation AwardBrown University Undergraduate Teaching and Research Award

2022
2017