Sun, Laixiang

Bio

Laixiang Sun is a Professor in the Department of Geographical Sciences at the University of Maryland (UMD). He previously served as Chair Professor and Head of the Department of Financial and Management Studies at SOAS University of London, and as a Senior Economist at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) in Laxenburg, Austria. In February 2010, he was elected a Fellow (Academician) of the Academy of Social Sciences (www.acss.org.uk). He has authored more than 240 publications spanning regional science and regional economics, environmental science and management, business and management studies, integrated modelling, and ecological economics, with articles appearing in Nature, PNAS, and several Nature portfolio journals, including Nature Sustainability, Nature Food, Nature Water, Nature Cities, and Nature Communications. He has served as principal investigator or leading scientist on more than 30 research projects funded by the European Commission; NASA (USA); the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering, Royal Society, ESRC, EPSRC, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), and the Met Office (UK); and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and the Ministry of Education (China). He has taught more than 20 university courses across China, the Netherlands, Finland, the UK, and the USA, covering systems analysis, economics, econometrics, calculus, corporate governance, international business, and urban geography. In the 2022 Research.com ranking of top scientists in Economics and Finance, he was ranked 1,163 globally and 720 in the United States.

Degrees

  • Development Economics, International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam in The Hague, Netherlands, 1997 - Ph.D

  • Mathematics, Peking University, China, 1985 - MS

  • Mathematics, Peking University, China, 1982 - BS

Areas of Interest

  • Regional sciences and regional economics
  • Climate change mitigation and adaptation
  • Integrated modelling and applied systems analysis
  • spatial economics and econometrics
  • ecological economics and development economics
  • international business studies
  • Agricultural economics

Research Topics

  • Carbon, Vegetation Dynamics and Landscape-Scale Processes
  • Geospatial Information Science and Remote Sensing
  • Human Dimensions of Global Change - Coupled Human and Natural Systems
  • Land Cover - Land Use Change
  • Sun, J., G. Hu, W. Zhou, L. Sun*, K. Feng. 2026. Unequal air quality benefits from EV adoption in California, the world’s EV leader. Global Environmental Change (2024 IF: 9.1; 5-yr IF: 11.5). In press.

  • Qi, X., Z. Liu, Y. Zhou, H. Zhong, P. He, X. Huang, L. Sun*, K. Feng, H. Yang, J.R. Thompson, Y. Di, T. Zhong, X. Lyu. 2026. Coordinated pathways to a low-carbon, healthy, and equitable food system in China. Science Bulletin (2024 IF: 21.1). In press.

  • Tian, P., K. Feng, X. Chen, D. Li, M. Jiang, J. Li, H. Zheng, Y. Shan, L. Sun*. 2026. Consumption inequalities in material use undermining resources sustainability. Nature Sustainability (2024 IF: 27.1, 5 yr IF: 32.8). Published online 16 Jan. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-025-01726-2.  

  • Tian, Peipei, Kuishuang Feng, Laixiang Sun. 2026. Levers for equitable material use. (Invited) Policy Brief, Nature Sustainability (2024 IF: 27.1, 5 yr IF: 32.8). Published online 16 Jan. 2026.  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-025-01730-6.

  • Fang, D., F. Xu, X. Jin, C. Song, P. Gao, L. Sun, D. Wang, K. Feng. 2026. Stress‑testing the cascading economic impacts of urban flooding across 306 Chinese cities. Nature Cities, Vol. 3 (19 Jan. 2026), 89–101. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44284-025-00372-1.

  • Li, Y., Q. Ye, J. Wei, J. Arnault, H. Xu, Q. Liu, Z. Tian, L. Sun, H.G. Kunstmann, P. Laux. 2026. When rain meets surge: assessing future typhoon-driven compound flood hazard profiles in a rapidly urbanizing delta. Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres (2024 IF: 3.4). In Press. https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JD044140.  

  • Huang, R., Z. Tian, D. Fan, Q. Ye, Q. Liu, M. Kong, Y. Wang, J. Lyu, L. Sun. 2026. Nature’s double defense: How mangroves and intertidal topography shape coastal flood mitigation. Ocean and Coastal Management (2024 IF: 5.4). Vol. 272, article no. 108004. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2025.108004.

  • Wu, X., J. Meng, X. Liang, L. Sun, D. Coffman, A. Kontoleon, D. Guan. 2025. Technological Pathways for Cost-Effective Steel Decarbonization. Nature (2024 IF: 48.5, 5 yr IF: 55.0), Vol. 647, pp. 93–101. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09658-9.

  • Zheng, L., Z. Tian, S. Wang, S. Zhang, A. Chen, Y. Niu, Y. Guan, L. Sun. 2025. Bridging the data gap: A new approach for reconstructing historic typhoon intensity using single station observations. Monthly Weather Review (2024 IF: 3.0). Vol. 153, issue 11, pp. 2475-2489. https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-24-0261.1.

  • Li, D., L. Sun*, K. Feng. N. Zhang, Y. Yu, D. Zhao, Y. Zhou. 2025. Satellite imaging reveals disproportionate flood exposure in slum populations of the Global South. Nature Cities, Vol. 2, pp. 626–638. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44284-025-00273-3.

  • Zhang, P., X. Zhao, L. Sun, J. Zuo, W. Wei, X. Liu, X. Peng, Y. Shan, S. Li, L. Ge, J. Li, K. Feng. 2025. What can we learn from the 2008 financial crisis for global power decarbonization after COVID-19?  Fundamental Research (2024 IF: 5.7), Vol. 5, issue 3, pp. 1221-1232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fmre.2023.02.017.

  • Sun, Laixiang. 2025. Bridging science and decision making with storyline-based approach. Cell Reports Sustainability. 2 (1), 100304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crsus.2024.100304.

  • Liu, B., K. Feng, L. Sun, G. Baiocchi, D. Wang, F. Miralles-Wilhelm. 2025. Assessing virtual water trade and inequalities in household water footprints across California’s counties. Structural Change and Economic Dynamics (2023 IF: 5.0). Vol. 74, pp. 175-185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.strueco.2025.02.008.

  • Funes, Jose, Jeffery Sauer, Laixiang Sun 2025. Transit-oriented development and effective supply on the tenant-occupied multifamily housing market in Washington D.C.  Spatial Economic Analysis (2022 IF = 2.3). Vol. 20, issue 2, pp. 291-311. https://doi.org/10.1080/17421772.2024.2346663.

  • Tian, P., H. Zhong, X. Chen, K. Feng, L. Sun*, N. Zhang, X. Shao, Y. Liu, K. Hubacek. 2024. Keeping the global consumption within planetary boundaries. Nature (2024 IF: 48.5, 5 yr IF: 55.0). Vol. 635, pp. 625-630. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-08154-w.

  • Zhong, H., Y. Li, J. Ding*, B. Bruckner*, K. Feng, L. Sun*, C. Prell, Y. Shan, K. Hubacek. 2024. Global spillover effects of the European Green Deal and plausible mitigation options. Nature Sustainability (2024 IF: 27.1, 5 yr IF: 32.8). Vol. 7, pp. 1501–1511. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-024-01428-1.

  • Xu, H., E. Ragno, S. N. Jonkman, J. Wang, J. D. Bricker, Z. Tian, L. Sun. 2024. Combining statistical and hydrodynamic models to assess compound flood hazards from rainfall and storm surge: a case study of Shanghai. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences (2022 IF: 6.3). Vol. 28, issue 16, pp. 3919–3930. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-3919-2024.

  • Meng, L., Z. Tian, D. Fan, F. H. M. van de VEN, L. Sun, Q. Ye, S. Sun, J. Liu, L. Nougues, D. Rooze. 2024. A multi-objective optimization approach for harnessing rainwater in changing climate. Advances in Climate Change Research (2021 IF: 4.746). Available online 22 August 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.accre.2024.08.006.

  • Sandler, Austin and Laixiang Sun*. 2024. The socio-environmental determinants of childhood malnutrition: A spatial and hierarchical analysis. Nutrients (2022 IF: 5.719) Vol.16, article no. 2014. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16132014.

  • Peng, X., L. Sun, K. Feng, H. Zhong, J. Liang, C. Zhang, D. Zhao, H. Chen, R. Long, Z. Xing, K. Hubacek. 2024. Extent of global decarbonization of the power sector through energy policies and governance capacity. Communications Earth & Environment (2024 IF: 8.9, 5 yr IF: 9.5), Vol. 5, article no. 321. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01494-5.

  • Tian, P., K. Feng, L. Sun*, K. Hubacek, D. Malerba, H. Zhong, H. Zheng, D. Li, N. Zhang, J. Li. 2024. Higher total energy costs strain elderly, especially low-income, across 31 developed countries. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA (PNAS) (2024 IF: 11.1). 121(12), e2306771121. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2306771121.

  • Wang, P., C. Wang, J. Li, K. Hubacek, L. Sun, F. Yang, K. Feng, W.-Q. Chen. 2024. Incorporating platinum circular economy into China’s hydrogen pathways towards carbon neutrality. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA (PNAS) Nexus. Vol. 3, Issue 5, article no. pgae172. https://doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae172.   

  • Wang, S., X. Chen, R. Xie, K. Liu, J. Wang, X. Liu, K. Hubacek, C. Wu, K. Feng, Y. Yan, Z. Liu, L. Sun, C. Fang. 2024. Demand-side Insights for Steering Human Appropriation of Net Primary Productivity within Planetary Boundaries. One Earth (2024 IF: 15.3). Vol. 7, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2024.02.010.

  • Zhao, D., J. Liu, L. Sun, K. Hubacek, S. Pfister, K. Feng, H. Zheng, X. Peng, D. Wang, H. Yang, L. Shen, F. Lun, X. Zhao, B. Chen, M. Keskinen, S. Zhang, J. Cai, O. Varis. 2024. Water consumption and biodiversity: Responses to global emergency events. Science Bulletin (2024 IF: 21.1). 69 (16), 2632-2646. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scib.2024.03.049.

  • Wang, Y., K. Feng, L. Sun, Y. Xie, X.-P. Song. 2024. Satellite-based soybean yield prediction in Argentina: a comparison between panel regression and deep learning methods. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture (2022 IF = 8.3). Vol. 221, article no. 108978. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2024.108978.  

  • Funes, J., L. Sun, T. Benson, F. Sedano, G. Baiocchi, E. Birol. 2024. Cultivating prosperity in Rwanda: The impact of high-yield biofortified bean seeds on farmers’ yield and income. Food Security (2022 IF = 6.7). Vol. 16, pp. 623–635. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-024-01449-w.

  • Liu, B., K. Feng, L. Sun, G. Baiocchi. 2024. Does interstate trade of agricultural products in the U.S. alleviate land and water stress? Journal of Environmental Management (2022 IF = 8.7). Vol. 354, article no. 120427. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120427.

  • Buonomo, E., N. Savage, G. Dong, B. Becker, R. G. Jones, Z. Tian, L. Sun. 2024. Tropical cyclone changes in convection-permitting regional climate projections: a study over the Shanghai region. Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres (2022 IF: 4.4). 129(5): e2023JD038508. https://doi.org/10.1029/2023JD038508.

  • Sun, Q., P. Olschewski, J. Wei, Z. Tian, L. Sun, H. Kunstmann, P. Laux. 2024. Key ingredients in regional climate modeling for improving the representation of typhoon tracks and intensities. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences (2022 IF: 6.3). 28(4): 761–780. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-761-2024.

  • Liu, Jingru, Zhan Tian, Steven Dobbie, Andrew N. Ross, Laixiang Sun, Qinghua Ye. 2023. Characterization and process understanding of tropical cyclone-induced floods derived from observations in Shenzhen, China. Environmental Research Letters (2022 IF: 6.947). Vol. 18, article no. 124040. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ad0bd7.

  • Tanaka, Tetsuji, Laixiang Sun*, Inbal Becker-Reshef, Xiao-Peng Song, Estefania Puricelli. 2023. Satellite forecasting of crop harvest can trigger a cross-hemispheric production response and improve global food security. Communications Earth & Environment (2024 IF: 8.9, 5 yr IF: 9.5), Vol. 4, article no. 334. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-023-00992-2.

  • Tian, Peipei, Kuishuang Feng, Heran Zheng, Klaus Hubacek, Jiashuo Li, Honglin Zhong, Xiangjie Chen, Laixiang Sun*. 2023. Implementation of carbon pricing in an aging world calls for targeted protection schemes. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA (PNAS) Nexus. Vol. 2, Issue 7, article no. pgad209, https://doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad209.

  • Xin, Yu, Laixiang Sun*, Matthew Hansen. 2023. Land-cover and land-use change trajectory hopping facilitates estate-crop expansion into protected forests in Indonesia. Conservation Letters (2022 IF: 8.5). Vol. 16, Issue 4, article no. e12957. https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12957.

  • Wang, H., K. Feng, P. Wang, Y. Yang, L. Sun*, W. Chen, Y. Zhang, J. Li. 2023. China’s electric vehicle and climate ambitions jeopardized by surging critical material prices. Nature Communications (2024 IF: 15.7; 5-yr IF: 17.2). Vol. 14, Article number. 1246. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-36957-4.

  • Liang, Zhuoran, Laixiang Sun1, Zhan Tian, Günther Fischer, Huimin Yan. 2023. Increase in grain production potential of China under climate change. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA (PNAS) Nexus. Vol. 2, Issue 3, pp. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad057.

  • Hu, Guangxiao, Kuishuang Feng, Laixiang Sun*. 2023. A multiscale analysis of the relationship between toxic chemical hazard risks and racial/ethnic, socioeconomic groups in Texas, USA. Environmental Science & Technology (2021 IF: 11.357). Vol. 57, Issue 5, pp. 2019–2030. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c04302.

  • Tian, Zhan, David Ramsbottom, Laixiang Sun*, Yijing Huang, Huan Zou, Junguo Liu. 2023. Dynamic adaptive engineering pathways for mitigating flood risks in Shanghai with regret theory. Nature Water (2024 IF: 24.1), Vol. 1, issue 2, pp. 198–208. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44221-022-00017-w.

  • Hu, G., K. Feng, L. Sun, G. Baiocchi. 2023. Tracing toxic chemical releases embodied in U.S. interstate trade and their unequal distribution. Environment International (2021 IF: 13.352), Vol. 171, article no. 107681. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2022.107681.

  • Olschewski, Patrick, Patrick Laux, Jianhui Wei, Brian Böker, Zhan Tian, Laixiang Sun, and Harald Kunstmann. 2023. An ensemble-based assessment of bias adjustment performance, changes in hydrometeorological predictors and compound extreme events in EAS-CORDEX. Weather and Climate Extremes (2021 IF: 7.761), Vol 39, article no. 100531. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wace.2022.100531. 

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Laixiang Sun
Professor

| Room 1117 LeFrak

| lsun123@umd.edu

| (301) 405-8131

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