Wilson Wai-Yin Cheung
MI’19 – Glaciologist
From Alpine Alps to Glacial Galaxies
Wilson Wai-Yin Cheung’s lifelong ambition is to contribute to our knowledge of the polar regions. During his ten-year career, he has conducted many scientific expeditions under trying conditions and has accumulated over 1,000 days of field experience in polar regions. As a doctoral student of glaciology, his research focuses on actively monitoring glaciers’ spatial distribution and temporal dynamics in the high arctic. He has aimed to be the first Asian to climb 82 4000-meter peaks in the Alps with the goal of drawing the public’s attention to rapidly melting Alps glaciers.
Having engaged in the frontiers of polar exploration for over a decade, I have witnessed the accelerating rate of large-scale glacier disappearances in the high latitudes and the corresponding environmental consequences. However, most Canadian Arctic glaciers and ice caps remain insufficiently investigated. In response to these significant research gaps, my current doctorate research in glaciology is to estimate the spatial distribution of ice thickness and volume on Bylot or Baffin Island through intensive field measurements. The outcome will contribute new geodetic mass balance estimation for the World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS) to better understand glacier fluctuations on a global scale and predict northern landscape changes in the Canadian Arctic.
“I believe that reuniting the deep linkage between us and nature is crucial for responding to fast-changing polar regions.”
Educating and inspiring future generations toward the importance of geoscientific research, both on and beyond our planet, has a pivotal role in responding to our rapidly changing environment. Through my established non-profit organization Asia Youth Alpine Mentors Program & Ecobus, I aim to enhance public awareness of polar and alpine regions and to promote lifestyles with minimal impacts on the environment. Our programs have worked with over 50 young individuals in Hong Kong to enhance their understanding and awareness of the climatic changes affecting our planet today. I have also led many youth science education programs in the polar regions in order to cultivate the next generation for further scientific exploration.
I believe that reuniting the deep linkage between us and nature is crucial for responding to fast-changing polar regions.
