Ph.D. Student

Finalists for Fall 2025 have been identified and encouraged to apply, so I am no longer accepting new applicants or conducting interviews. One or two positions for Fall 2026, similar to the 2025 position described here, will be available.

Postdoctoral Research Scientist

Dr. Jiaming (Jamie) Duan: Jamie, originally from Henan, China, earned her Ph.D. in Biological Systems Engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She is dedicated to leveraging modeling and remote sensing tools to estimate soil carbon, water, and nitrogen cycling, contributing to data-driven decision-making in sustainable agricultural and environmental management.

The 2024 position described here is closed, but two relevant opportunities will be available in Fall 2025.

Current Lab Interns

Margot Ann Grøtland: Margot is from Indianapolis, Indiana. She is a sophomore at Columbia University pursuing a degree in Environmental Science and Sociology. She is driven by a dedication to and passion for protecting our ecosystem to create a more sustainable and equitable society. She recently started her role as a lab manager in Xia’s Soil Systems Lab. She can be reached at margot.grotland@columbia.edu.

Cailen Alice Tougher: Cailen is from Telluride, Colorado, and a senior at Columbia University majoring in Environmental Science. She is passionate about food security and agroecology, focusing on how we can make food production more sustainable and accessible in the face of changing climatic conditions. She will be conducting her senior thesis on soil and agricultural research.

Kristen Kallok: Kristen is a junior at Barnard College majoring in Environmental Biology. She is conducting an independent study with Dr. Xia, aiming to explore the controlling factors of forest soil health and moisture dynamics.

Danielle Kim: Danielle is a high school senior at Bergen County Academies. She is passionate about exploring the intersection of programming and environmental science. As an intern in the Soil Systems Lab, she is developing web tools to analyze soil and climate data, aiming to inform natural climate solutions and ecosystem productivity policies. Even beyond research, Danielle is committed to using technology for social good, leading several community service initiatives. She aspires to shape the future of technology in addressing climate challenges through data-driven solutions.

Gary Leschinsky: Gary is a high school junior at Davidson Academy Online. He is highly passionate about using soil science, modeling, and statistics to better understand biological and environmental systems. Gary is leading a project on analyzing N2O production and consumption in different organic farming treatments. The goal of his research project is to determine the key drivers of N2O emissions in organic farms and how different practices alter GHG outcomes.