Dr. Yang's research is mainly focused on the biogeochemistry and environmental effects of organic matter in aquatic environments. He is interested in exploring: (1) the effects of human disturbances and watershed processes on the river-estuary-coastal ocean organic geochemistry, and (2) the role of organic matter in the aquatic ecosystem function, the water-atmosphere CO2 exchange and the water quality. He has published more than 50 papers, which have been cited for more than 2000 times. He serves as an editor for two SCI journals, and a reviewer for China and Swiss National Natural Science Funding and more than 40 journals.
