How Earth Systems Motivate Ying Cui, PhD

Author: Rebecca Bosco, EdD

Photo: Ying Cui, PhD conducting field work in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in China. Behind her are the Permian–Triassic terrestrial deposits formed ~252 million years ago.

Globally Minded from Birth

Growing up in Changchun, the capital and largest city of Jilin Province in China, Cui was born during the years of the one-child policy. Her mother, a member of the Manchu ethnic minority group, was exempt from the rule and could have two children—an older brother and then her. At an early age, it was clear to her that boys, in general, were more supported and urged to succeed academically. The experience shaped her profoundly at a young age. "I've always felt an inner drive to work hard and prove I'm just as capable as the boys."

In high school, Cui discovered her natural talent for languages and literature, recognizing early that these subjects would shape her future interests and ambitions. Despite her aptitude for the liberal arts, Cui's family encouraged her to focus on STEM subjects, primarily due to the famous saying in China, "Master math, physics, and chemistry, and you can go anywhere in the world without fear."

In China, in the 2000s, college enrollment rates began increasing. Cui was determined to attend college and worked towards this goal daily. As a first-generation college student, she received minimal guidance from her family when choosing a major. Ultimately, she chose to study geosciences because a family friend with a successful career at De Beers Group in South Africa recommended the field. Cui shared, "As I started my undergrad coursework in gemology, I surprisingly enjoyed it! I became interested in studying the Earth's history and asking how these beautiful gemstones form. And the plants and animals? How did they evolve through time?" At Peking University, Cui's master's research looked back 252 million years, to the Permian–Triassic extinction event, also known as "The Great Dying."

Reflecting on her early life and present career, Cui shared that she was always naturally curious about philosophy and humankind. "I often found myself questioning: Where do we come from? Why are we here? Who are we? And where are we ultimately headed? These fundamental questions continue to drive my research today."

Changing Continents

Cui pursued her doctor of philosophy (PhD) in the United States, continuing her academic journey while raising her son. Outside the classroom, she connected with her local community and Chinese community church. Her connections were essential in helping her manage daily life throughout her PhD program, and these individuals offered guidance on setting up her home base, obtaining a driver's license, and accessing childcare services.

Cui encourages all students new to the United States who are pursuing their PhD to set up a support system for managing their physical and mental health. Cui shared, "Balancing meal preparation for young children with a busy PhD schedule was very challenging for me, and it remains a challenge today. However, eating healthy food is important for maintaining physical health, so investing time in preparing healthy meals was worth it." She further shared, "A bittersweet ache: nostalgia in a foreign country is unavoidable, so finding a support system that works for you is important." Some advice for students—engaging in energizing and/or restorative activities such as exercising and reading will help take your mind off of work and can be helpful in a new environment.

Mothers and Daughters, and Personal Wellbeing

Cui shared that balancing academic responsibilities and family care was particularly difficult and that when her mother fell ill, she, the only daughter in the family, took time off to serve as her primary caregiver. She further shared that feelings of guilt overwhelmed her when taking time off and that when she returned, the same sense of guilt re-surfaced for leaving her mother's side and returning to her own life. "Women often face unique challenges in caretaking roles within society. Reflecting on that period, I focused on persistence and taking things one day at a time. Instead of isolating myself, I sought help and embraced support from others to overcome challenges."

Choices in Living

Now a tenured associate professor, Cui reflects on her choices to keep herself and her family healthy and supported within their community. She volunteers with her sons at community clean-ups, assists with furniture donations, and serves meals to individuals experiencing socio-economic struggles. Expanding on lifestyle, Cui shared, "Being out in nature brings me joy, but it often takes time away from research. I constantly find myself balancing whether to do something I truly enjoy, like going for a run or a hike, or staying in to review the papers I've committed to over the weekend. It's a daily challenge. Psychological wellness is my top priority, as it should be for everyone."

Finding a Community

For new students pursuing STEM careers, Cui emphasizes the importance of collaboration, networking, and resource sharing. She acknowledges that women in STEM will undoubtedly encounter challenges and biases; however, she encourages them to focus on resilience and confidence when experiencing discrimination. "Sometimes the outcome may not be what you hoped for, but you can't stop hoping and trying. Just don't give up—the world needs your contribution."

Lifelong Learning and Impact

Today, Cui's research expertise lies in Earth system science, a relatively new field within geosciences. She strives to advance knowledge in this area through her work in this field. A recent visit to the National Garden in Washington, District of Columbia, sparked her curiosity about the defense mechanisms of plants and insects and the effects of climate change on these systems.

Looking ahead, Cui plans to use her understanding of Earth as an integrated system to explore interactions between organisms and their environments, aiming to predict future impacts on the climate.

About Dr. Ying Cui

Dr. Ying Cui earned her PhD in Geosciences and Biogeochemistry from The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State). She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Studies at Montclair State University (MSU) in Montclair, New Jersey.

Dr. Cui's studies specialized in stable isotope geochemistry and paleoclimatic reconstructions in the deep geologic past. Her research integrates observations in the sedimentary records and mathematical modeling to quantify greenhouse gas emission and sequestration rates during ancient global warming events or hyperthermals, using a technique known as model inversion.

Dr. Cui serves as an editorial board member for Geology; Global and Planetary Change; Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, and Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. She was awarded an American Fellowship from the American Association for University Women (AAUW).

Read more about Dr. Cui in Science, where she recently published an essay, "As a Junior Professor, I Learned an Important Skill: Asking for Help."

Connect with Dr. Cui on Twitter/X at @Ying_PSU and Facebook.

---

A Note from the Editor

The Research Girl, Inc. Science Content, Communications, and Grants Team is developing a recurring feature on paid student research opportunities, and paid early career research opportunities, for the blog, e-newsletters, and social media communications.

If you are a student, academic faculty member, or staff member at a research institution and would like to share paid opportunities for inclusion across these content mediums, please contact Science Content and Communications Manager and Site Editor, Patricia Fortunato, at patricia@researchgirl.org