Engaged in lithogeotetectonics research, focusing on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and orogenic belts, including:

1) ophiolite

2) high-pressure and ultra-high-pressure metamorphic rocks, volcanic rocks

3) basic ultrabasic rocks and related minerals, such as chromite, etc.

2021-2024 Formation Processes and Deep Geological Dynamics of Ophiolite-Type Chromitite Deposits (National Natural Science Foundation of China, Key Program)

2018-2022 Diamonds in Oceanic Mantle Peridotites and Chromitites and Deep Mantle Recycling in Global Ophiolite Records (International Cooperation and Exchange Program)

2017 Diamonds and Deep Mantle Recycling Records in Cuban Ophiolite Mantle Rocks and Chromitites (Emergency Management Program)

2016–2018 Comprehensive Investigation of Chromitite Deposits in the Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone and Bangong-Nujiang Metallogenic Belt in Tibet (Geological Survey Program)

2016 Genesis of Superhigh-Pressure Minerals (Diamonds, etc.) in Mantle Peridotites and Chromitites from Ophiolites in Different Global Tectonic Settings (Emergency Management Program)

2015-2019 Diamonds and Mantle Material Cycling (IGCP-649 Program, funded by UNESCO and USGS)

2015–2017 Comprehensive Assessment of Chromitite Resource Potential in the Tibetan Plateau and Survey of the Zedang Complex (Geological and Mineral Resources Survey Program)

2014-2016 Tectonic Evolution of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean Basin and Chromite Mineralization in the Tibetan Plateau (Geological Survey Program)

2011–2013 Geological Background and Genesis of Ophiolite and Chromite in the Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone (Geological Survey Program)

2011–2013 High- and Ultrahigh-Pressure Metamorphic Belt in the Lhasa Block of the Tibetan Plateau and Indosinian Orogeny (Geological Survey Program)

2010–2013 Anomalous Minerals in Ophiolite Mantle Rocks and Chromitites and Deep Geological Processes (National Natural Science Foundation of China, Key Program)

2009–2010 Formation and Evolution of the Tethyan Suture Zone in Southern Tibet (Geological Survey Program)

2008-2012 Site Selection and Experimental Drilling for Continental Scientific Drilling (Industry Special Program)

2007–2010 Polyphase Orogenic Dynamics of the Giant Central Orogenic Belt in China (Geological Survey Program)

2006-2008 Genesis of Mantle Rocks and Chromitite in Southern Tibet (Geological Survey Program)

2006-2008 Ultra-high-Pressure Mantle Mineral Assemblages and Mantle Dynamics in Ophiolitic Chromitites (International Cooperation Fund)

Rui, H.C., Yang, J.S., Zheng, J. P. et al. 2022, Early Cretaceous subduction initiation of the proto-Caribbean plate: geochronological and geochemical evidence from gabbros of the Moa-Baracoa ophiolitic massif, Eastern Cuba. Lithos. 418-419.

Rui, H.C., Yang, J.S., Llanes-Castro, A.I. et al. 2022. Ti-poor high-Al chromitites of the Moa-Baracoa ophiolitic massif (eastern Cuba) formed in a nascent forearc mantle. Ore Geology Reviews. 144, 104847.

Yang, J.S., Wu, W. W., Lian, D. Y. et al. 2021. Peridotites, chromitites and diamonds in ophiolites. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment. 2(3): 198-212.

Feng, G.Y., Yang, J.S., Niu, X.L. et al 2021. Formation processes and tectonic implications of mantle peridotites of the Yushigou ophiolite in the North Qilian Orogenic Belt, NW China. Lithos. 100-401, 106430.

Rui, H. C., Yang, J.S., Llanes-Castro, A. I. et al. 2021. Highly refractory harzburgites from the Moa-Baracoa ophiolitic massif, eastern Cuba: Insights into forearc mantle melt-rock interactions. Lithos. 404–405, 106427.

Xiong, F. H., Yang, J.S., Schertl, H. P. et al. 2020. Multistage origin of dunite in the Purang ophiolite, southern Tibet, documented by composition, exsolution and Li isotope characteristics of constituent minerals. European Journal of Mineralogy. 32(1): 187-207.

Lian, D.Y., Yang, J.S.,, Dilek, Y. et al. 2020. Precambrian zircons in chromitites of the Cretaceous Aladag ophiolite (Turkey) indicate deep crustal recycling in oceanic mantle. Precambrian Research. 350.

Yang, J.S., Lian, D.Y, Robinson, P. T. et al. 2019. Comment on “A shallow origin for diamonds in ophiolitic chromitites”. Geology. 47(8), e475-e475.

Xiong, F.H., Meng, Y.K., Yang, J.S. et al. 2019. Geochronology and petrogenesis of the mafic dykes from the Purang ophiolite: Implications for evolution of the western Yarlung-Tsangpo suture zone, southwestern Tibet. Geoscience Frontiers, 11(1): 277-292.

Wu, W.W., Yang, J.S., Wirth, R. et al. 2019. Carbon and nitrogen isotopes and mineral inclusions in diamonds from chromitites of the Mirdita ophiolite (Albania) demonstrate recycling of oceanic crust into the mantle, American Mineralogist. 2019, 104: 485-500.

Wu, W.W, Yang, J.S.,, Dilek, Y. et al. 2018. Multiple Episodes of Melting, Depletion, And Enrichment Of The Tethyan Mantle: Petrogenesis Of The Peridotites And Chromitites In The Jurassic Skenderbeu Massif, Mirdita Ophiolite, Albania. Lithosphere. 10(1), 54-78.

Lian, D.Y., Yang, J.S., Wiedenbeck, M. et al. 2018. Carbon and nitrogen isotope, and mineral inclusion studies on the diamonds from the Pozanti-Karsanti chromitite, Turkey. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology. 173(9):1-18.

Lian, D.Y., Yang, J.S., Dilek, Y. et al. 2017. Deep mantle origin and ultra-reducing conditions in podiform chromitite: diamond, moissanite, and other unusual minerals in podiform chromitites from the pozanti-karsanti ophiolite, southern turkey. American Mineralogist. 102(5), 1101-1113.

Zhang, R.Y., Yang, J.S., Ernst, W.G. et al. 2016. Discovery of in situ super-reducing, ultrahigh-pressure phases in the Luobusa ophiolitic chromitites, Tibet: New insights into the deep upper mantle and mantle transition zone. American Mineralogist. 101(5-6): 1285-1294.

Yang, J.S., Robinson, P.T., Delik, Y. 2015. Diamond-bearing ophiolites and their geological occurrence. Episodes. 38(4), 344-364.

Yang, J.S., Meng, F.C., Xu, X.Z. et al. 2015. Diamonds, native elements and metal alloys from chromitites of the ray-iz ophiolite of the polar urals. Gondwana Research. 27(2), 459-485.

Yang, J.S., Robinson, P. T., Dilek, Y. 2014. Diamonds in ophiolites. Elements. 10(2), 127-130.

Xu, X.Z., Yang, J.S., Ba, D.Z. et al. 2011.Petrogenesis of the Kangjinla peridotite in the Luobusa ophiolite, Southern Tibet. Journal of Asia Earth Sciences. 42 (4), 553-568.

Yang, J.S., Li, T.F., Chen, S.Z. et al. 2009. Genesis of garnet peridotites in the Sulu UHP belt: Examples from the CCSD-MH, PP1 and PP3 drillholes. Tectonophysics. 475, 369-382

Yang, J.S., Xu, Z.Q., Li, Z.L. et al. 2009. Discovery of an eclogite belt in the Lhasa block, Tibet: A new border for Paleo-Tethys? Journal of Asian Earth Sciences. 34, 76-89.

Wu, C.L., Yang, J.S., Robinson, P.T. et al. 2009. Geochemistry, age and tectonic significance of granitic rocks in north Altun, northwest China. Lithos. 113( 3-4): 423-436.

Yang, J.S., Dobrzhinetskaya, L., Bai, W.J. et al. 2007. Diamond- and coesite- bearing chromitites from the Luobusa ophiolite, Tibet. Geology. 35(10), 875-878.

Yang, J.S., Zhang, R.Y. , Li, T.F. et al. 2007. Petrogenesis of the garnet peridotite and garnet-free peridotite of the Zhimafang ultramafic body in the Sulu ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic belt, eastern China. Journal of Metamorphic Geology. 25, 187-206.

Li, Z.L., Yang, J.S., Xu, Z.Q. et al. 2007. Geochemistry, Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr isotopic compositions of eclogite in the Lasha terrane, Tibet, and their geological significance. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. 71(15): A577-A577.

Yang, J.S., Wu, C.L., Zhang, J.X. et al. 2006. Protolith of eclogites in the north Qaidam and Altun UHP terrane, NW China: Earlier oceanic crust? Journal of Asian Earth Sciences. 28, 185-204.

Xu, Z.Q., Yang, J.S., Wu, C.L. et al. 2006. Timing and Mechanism of formation and exhumation of the Northern Qaidam ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic belt. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences. 28, 160-173.

Yang, J.S., Liu, F.L., Wu, C.L. et al. 2005. Two Ultrahigh-Pressure Metamorphic Events Recognized in the Central Orogenic Belt of China: Evidence from the U-Pb Dating of Coesite-Bearing Zircons. International Geology Review. 47, 327-343

Zhang, R.Y., Yang, J.S., Wooden, J.L. et al. 2005. U-Pb SHRIMP geochronology of zircon in garnet peridotite from the Sulu UHP terrane, China: Implications for mantle metasomatism and subduction-zone UHP metamorphism. Earth and Planetary Science Letters. 237, 729-743.

Yang, J.S., Wooden, J.L., Wu, C.L. et al. 2003. SHRIMP U-Pb dating of coesite-bearing zircon from the ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks, Sulu terrane, east China. Journal of Metamorphic Geology. 21, 551-560.

Yang, J.S., Xu, Z.Q., Larissa, F. et al.2003. Discovery of metamorphic diamonds in central China: an indication of a>4000-km-long zone of deep subduction resulting from multiple continental collisions. Terra Nova. 15, 370-379.

Song, S.G., Yang, J.S., Liou, J.G. et al. 2003. Petrology, eochemistry and isotopic ages of eclogites from the Dulan UHPM Terrane, the North Qaidam, NW China. Lithos. 70, 195-211.

Song, S.G., Yang, J.S., Xu, Z.Q. et al. 2003. Metamorphic evolution of the coesite-bearing ultrahigh-pressure terrane in the North Qaidam, Northern Tibet, NW China. Journal of Metamorphic Geology. 21, 631-644.

Yang, J.S., Xu, Z.Q., Zhan, J.X. et al. 2002. Early Palaeozoic North Qaidam UHP metamorphic belt on the north-eastern Tibetan plateau and a paired subduction model. Terra Nova. 14(5), 397-404

2017 Elected as an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences

2014 Xinhua Union Outstanding Contribution Award by the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences

2011 National Natural Science Award, Second Prize for the project "Terrane Assemblage and Collisional Orogeny in the Tibetan Plateau" (ranked first)

2011 Elected Fellow of the Geological Society of America (GSA)

2011 Elected Fellow of the Mineralogical Society of America (MSA)

2010 Ministry of Land and Resources Science and Technology Progress Award, First Prize for the project "Terrane Assemblage, Collisional Orogeny, and Uplift Mechanisms of the Tibetan Plateau" (ranked first)

2009 Recipient of the 11th Li Siguang Geological Science Award

2008 Ministry of Land and Resources Science and Technology Progress Award, First Prize for the project "Continental Deep Subduction and Scientific Drilling" (ranked second)

2008 Received a Special Government Allowance for Outstanding Contributions to Science and Technology from the State Council

2007 Awarded the Ho Leung Ho Lee Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress

2006 Ministry of Land and Resources Technology Award, Second Prize for the 10th Five-Year Key Project, "China's Giant Ultrahigh-Pressure Metamorphic Belt and North-South Plate Convergence" (ranked first)

2005 Honored as an Advanced Worker in the China Continental Scientific Drilling Program by the Ministry of Land and Resources

2003 Achievement Award for Returned Overseas Scholars, awarded by six central ministries, including the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, Ministry of Human Resources, Ministry of Publicity, Ministry of Education, United Front Work Department, and Ministry of Science and Technology

1992 Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources Science and Technology Progress Award, Third Prize for the project "Kunlun Orogenic Tectonics" (ranked second)