Institute of Geomechanics, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences | China
Publication Profile
👩🎓 Early Academic Pursuits
Dr. Ping Sun began her academic journey with a deep interest in geotechnical engineering and geological hazards. She earned her Ph.D. from the Institute of Geomechanics, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, and shortly after, undertook postdoctoral research from April 2008 to December 2009. Her early academic endeavors included visiting scholar appointments at Kyoto University’s Disaster Prevention Research Institute (2008) and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (2013), marking the beginning of her international research engagement.
🧑🔬 Professional Endeavors
Dr. Sun’s professional career has been rooted in the Institute of Geomechanics, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, where she progressed from Assistant Researcher (2008–2009), to Associate Researcher (2009–2017), and currently serves as a Full Researcher since 2017. With over 15 years of experience, she has built a prominent presence in the geotechnical and geological research communities in China and abroad.
🧠 Contributions and Research Focus
Dr. Sun has made significant strides in the field of geological hazards, with a specific emphasis on the mechanisms of major geological disasters and hazard zonation of high-risk areas. Her research tackles critical topics such as:
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High-speed long-runout landslides
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Rainfall-induced shallow loess landslides
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Seismic-triggered mega loess landslides
Her studies on the mechanical properties of fractured loess, loess caves, and post-seismic slope stability have enhanced the understanding of loess behavior under extreme conditions and influenced both academic research and disaster prevention practices.
🌍 Impact and Influence
Dr. Sun has led or participated in over ten major projects, including Key, General, and Youth Projects under the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and numerous projects commissioned by the China Geological Survey and local governments. Her research outcomes have informed policy recommendations and improved practices in disaster risk management, land-use planning, and infrastructure safety in loess-prone regions.
📊 Academic Citations and Publications
With over 50 peer-reviewed journal papers and 1 monograph as the first author, Dr. Sun’s academic work is widely cited, particularly in the domains of landslide dynamics, earthquake-induced slope failures, and loess mechanics. Key journals where her research has been featured include:
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Engineering Geology
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Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment
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Landslides
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International Journal of Geomechanics
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Environmental Earth Sciences
Her monograph titled “Research on Typical Landslide Disasters on the Northwestern Edge of Tianshui Basin” (2020) stands as a comprehensive reference for geological disaster studies in western China.
🛠️ Technical Skills
Dr. Sun brings a robust set of technical skills to her research, including:
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Experimental modeling of landslides
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Numerical simulations using finite element and discrete element methods
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Geotechnical instrumentation and field monitoring
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Earthquake engineering and slope stability analysis
Her interdisciplinary approach integrates field data, lab testing, and computational methods to develop predictive models for slope failure and hazard assessment.
👩🏫 Teaching and Mentorship
Although primarily a researcher, Dr. Sun is actively involved in academic mentorship, supervising graduate students and young researchers. Her guidance emphasizes applied research, critical thinking, and field-based investigations, nurturing the next generation of geotechnical and engineering geologists.
🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions
As a leading female researcher in the geohazards field, Dr. Ping Sun’s legacy is marked by her trailblazing work in loess landslides and earthquake-induced disasters. She continues to influence national strategies for geological disaster mitigation and aims to expand her research on:
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Climate change impacts on slope stability
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Development of early warning systems
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Integration of AI and remote sensing in hazard detection
Her commitment to scientific excellence and societal impact ensures that her work will shape future innovations in geohazard resilience and sustainable development.
📚 Top Notes Publications
1. Seismic response and run-out process of the Shiguchuan landslide: Insights from geological investigations and numerical simulation
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Authors: Ping Sun, Haojie Wang, Chaoying Ke, Shuai Han, Shuai Zhang
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Journal: Geomorphology
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Year: 2025
2. Influences of non-landslide sampling strategies on landslide susceptibility mapping: a case of Tianshui city, Northwest of China
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Authors: Chaoying Ke, Ping Sun, Shuai Zhang, Ran Li, Kangyun Sang
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Journal: Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment
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Year: 2025
3. Characteristics and initiation mechanism of the large mudstone Dongping landslide induced by heavy rainfall in Gansu Province, NW China
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Authors: Ran Li, Ping Sun, Kangyun Sang, Chaoying Ke, Shuai Zhang
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Journal: Geoenvironmental Disasters
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Year: 2024
4. Insight into failure mechanisms of rainfall induced mudstone landslide controlled by structural planes: From laboratory experiments
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Authors: Kun Li, Ping Sun, Haojie Wang, Jian Ren
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Journal: Engineering Geology
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Year: 2024
5. Experimental study on the failure mechanism of the Zhoujiashan landslide under the combined effect of rainfall and earthquake in Tianshui City, Northwest China
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Authors: Jian Ren, Ping Sun, Shuai Zhang, Haojie Wang, Jing Zhang
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Journal: Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment
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Year: 2023