Hi, I’m Zi Yan — a Malaysian geoscience student exploring how understanding our planet can help us build a more sustainable future.
Explore my journey ↘
I’m Zi Yan, a Malaysian geoscience student at National Taiwan University, currently on exchange at Uppsala University in Sweden. I’m interested in how understanding the ground beneath us can help shape a more sustainable future.
Fieldwork brings that curiosity into focus. From studying coastal landforms in Taiwan to logging Jurassic sediments on Bornholm, I’ve learned to look closely, ask questions and build interpretations from what I can observe. My ArcGIS terrain and landslide project gives me another way to analyse landscapes and communicate spatial patterns.
My interest in carbon capture and storage connects that Earth science foundation with decarbonisation. Through my CCS poster project and a visit to a demonstration site, I’ve explored geological storage alongside questions about monitoring, infrastructure and public trust. I want to keep learning how these pieces come together in practical climate solutions.
Living in Malaysia and studying in Taiwan and Sweden has also made learning a cross-cultural experience. Translation and editorial work at the European Union Centre in Taiwan has given me opportunities to communicate across languages, while volunteering reminds me to stay connected to the people and environments behind bigger sustainability questions.
Beyond my studies, you’ll find me taking photos, exploring somewhere new, cycling or following Manchester City. I hope to carry this curiosity into postgraduate study and meaningful work in environmental sustainability.
HOME UNIVERSITY · DEGREE IN PROGRESS
Bachelor’s studies in Geosciences
Expected graduation: July 2027
Taipei, Taiwan
Building a foundation in Earth science through fieldwork, laboratory coursework and environmental mapping, with interests in geological carbon storage and sustainability.
CURRENT EXCHANGE · 2026–2027
University exchange · Geoscience studies
Uppsala, Sweden
Continuing my geoscience studies in an international academic environment, including sedimentology and field learning through the Bornholm excursion.
Field notes, projects, and perspectives
from Taiwan and beyond.
13 experiences · Across the journey
Galgeløkken, Bornholm, Denmark · September 2026
Logged a measured section of the Lower Jurassic Rønne Formation, recording lithology, grain size, bedding, sedimentary structures and lateral changes. Used observations of cross-stratification, mud clasts and soft-sediment deformation to interpret depositional processes.
Tatun Volcanic Group, Taiwan · May 2026
Explored geothermal and hydrothermal environments in the Tatun Volcanic Group, including Xiaoyoukeng, Sihhuangzihping and Gengziping, alongside a visit to a pilot geothermal plant. Compared temperature and pH measurements, observed steam vents, geothermal wells, drilling equipment, pipework and air-cooling fans, and connected subsurface geology with the practical challenges of energy development.
Jinshan, Taiwan
Examined a sequence of five coastal platforms and discussed how coastal landforms can record landscape change. Connected field observations with questions about erosion, uplift and past sea levels.
921 Earthquake Museum & nearby outcrops, Wufeng, Taiwan · 2024
Studied the Chelungpu Fault and earthquake-related geology. Measured outcrop orientations in a nearby river valley and recorded changes in sandstone proportions, bedding dip and exposure along the traverse.
CPC CCS demonstration, Miaoli, Taiwan
Explored carbon capture and storage through a site visit and related coursework. Considered how subsurface interpretation, containment, monitoring and public trust shape the prospects for geological CO₂ storage.
Decarbonization Course · National Taiwan University
Created and presented a poster exploring the role of carbon capture and storage (CCS) in deep decarbonisation. Examined the capture-to-storage process, geological storage options, monitoring and verification, and challenges including cost, energy use, infrastructure and public trust, with examples from Taiwan, Japan and Malaysia.
ArcGIS coursework · National Taiwan University
Georeferenced imagery and digitised four landslide areas, analysed slope aspect, and calculated sediment delivery ratios (SDR) and delivered sediment volumes (SDRV). Compared the results through thematic maps and created a separate red relief image map (RRIM) of Taipei. The mapped landslides were mainly on west-facing slopes. In the discussion, I examined why a modelled SDRV of zero does not necessarily rule out downstream sediment delivery: the simplified model does not capture all effects of channelised flow, rainfall and complex terrain.
Earth History course · National Taiwan University
Studied chicken-foot bones for an Earth History course project, pairing the specimen with a labelled anatomical drawing. Identified the arrangement of the toe bones and tarsometatarsus, practising close observation, anatomical identification and scientific sketching.
Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden · 2026–2027
Currently on exchange from National Taiwan University, studying geoscience at Uppsala University and learning Swedish. Beyond the classroom, shared corridor dinners and everyday conversations are part of getting to know people across cultures. The Bornholm excursion is another part of this wider learning journey.
South Africa · June 2026
Joined the NTU × WFA programme in South Africa, exploring wildlife conservation through field activities, wildlife forensics and a mock courtroom session. These experiences connected practical observation and evidence with the wider work of conservation and communication.
European Union Centre in Taiwan · 2024–2026
Supported the European Union Centre in Taiwan through translation, editorial work and administrative coordination. Helped prepare bilingual newsletters and academic materials on European affairs and EU–Taiwan relations, with attention to clear language and consistent presentation. Assisted with materials for academic programmes, proposals and events, contributing to the everyday coordination behind the centre’s activities. This work strengthened my ability to organise information, communicate across languages and support projects involving people from different academic and cultural backgrounds.
NTU Lion Dance Club · 2024–2026
Assisted with financial records, expense tracking and reimbursements, while coordinating equipment, supplies and logistics for club activities and performances.
Malaysia & Taiwan
From rice-field activities and home visits with Tzu Chi to beach cleanups and animal shelter work, I value opportunities to contribute through practical action. These experiences connect my interest in sustainability with caring for communities and the environments we share.
I want to build on my geoscience background through postgraduate study in environmental sustainability and decarbonisation. I’m particularly interested in carbon capture and storage: how geological knowledge can inform storage decisions, how monitoring supports confidence in containment, and how CCS fits alongside other approaches to reducing emissions. I also hope to deepen my skills in GIS and environmental data analysis so I can evaluate and communicate complex problems more effectively.
My next step is to connect further study with practical experience. Through applied coursework, projects and internship opportunities, I hope to learn how scientific evidence informs decisions, and how technical choices interact with costs, policy and the needs of communities. I want to become more confident working across disciplines and turning analysis into useful recommendations.
In the longer term, I hope to contribute to work that reduces emissions and supports environmental sustainability, particularly where an understanding of the subsurface can make a difference. I’m still exploring the role that will suit me best, with a clear interest in bringing science, communication and a willingness to keep learning to the green sector.