University of South Florida College of Marine Science Assistant Professor Xinfeng Liang, PhD, has been awarded a prestigious 2018 Sloan Research Fellowship by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
“It is a great honor to be selected as a 2018 Sloan Research Fellow,” said Liang, who is only the fourth Sloan Research Fellow in USF’s history. “I appreciate the recognition of the committee and the foundation.”
Awarded yearly since 1955, the fellowships are given to early-career researchers whose achievements mark them as among the very best scientific minds working today, according to a Sloan Foundation press release.
As a climate-minded oceanographer, Liang focuses on better understanding how the ocean works and the impact the changing climate has on its function. In particular, he is interested in the connection and exchange between the upper and deep layers of the global ocean and their implications for climate change.
This year, the Sloan Foundation selected 126 recipients from 53 colleges and universities across the United States and Canada. According to the Sloan Foundation, candidates must be nominated by their peers and fellows are selected by a panel of senior scholars in their field on the basis of a candidate’s research accomplishments, creativity and potential to become a leader in his or her field. Fellows receive a two-year, $65,000 fellowship to continue their research.
“With the support from the fellowship, I will continue exploring the connection and exchange of the upper and deep layers of the global ocean,” said Liang. “Hopefully, my previous and current work can give rise to better work in the future.”