Dr. Xia has always been enthusiastic about researching soil health, motivated by the need for more precise information to improve management of soil carbon. Her Ph.D. work at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign used remote sensing imagery, field data, and modeling methods to estimate soil carbon stocks and nitrous oxide emissions across the United States.
She hopes her work will contribute to soil conservation and climate mitigation efforts, while helping answer questions around how soil can help combat climate change and maintain food security and environmental quality.
Dr. Xia grew up in Nanjing, China. In her free time she enjoys cooking, reading, and playing the piano.