Avian migration · quantitative ecology · data science
Bird migration across space and time Yangkang Chen · 陈旸康
I am a PhD student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign studying how migratory birds move, associate, and evolve across broad spatial and temporal scales using large biodiversity datasets, statistical modeling, and machine learning.
Research
I study bird migration from population to community patterns at continental scales.
My work uses bird migration as a model system for understanding large-scale ecological and evolutionary dynamics. I develop quantitative approaches for inferring processes that are difficult to observe directly from modern biodiversity, weather, movement, and genomic data.
Migration modeling
I work on BirdFlow and stemflow to infer population-level movement, seasonal distributions, and spatiotemporal ecological patterns from large, imperfect observational datasets.
Ecology and evolution of continental-scale migration
I study how migration, species associations, weather, and community structure vary across the annual cycle, and how these dynamics may scale up to broader ecological and evolutionary patterns.
Population genetic and genomic research
My earlier and continuing interests in population genetics and genomics inform how I connect ecological process, evolutionary history, and biological inference across scales.
Gallery preview
Research, travel, and life.
A small gallery of birds, landscapes, research, travel, and life.
Beyond research
I enjoy backpacking and hiking, especially on high-altitude plateaus in western China, including the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP), where I spent time as an undergraduate at Sichuan University. During my master's studies in Beijing, I enjoyed watching stand-up comedy, playing guitar, going to live band performances, reading short novels, and sitting by the window of a cafe on a random weekend afternoon, thunderstorm outside, latte beside me, starting to code. You may also find me skipping work to go birding in Olympic Park.
I believe in fairness, equity, justice, and respect for each person's identity and dignity. I also respect the cultural values and identities people hold from their own backgrounds. I stand with those facing discrimination and unjust treatment.