Yitong Yang

University of California, Berkeley, PhD

Friends of BFI Scholar 2024

A Multi-Scale Approach to Measuring Landfill Emissions for Evaluating and Financing Interventions

My project focuses on improving how we measure harmful gases, especially methane, that are released from landfills. Landfills are where a lot of our waste ends up, and as this waste breaks down, it releases gases that can be harmful to the environment. Methane, in particular, is a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. 

Right now, the methods used to measure these emissions aren’t very accurate or up-to-date, which means we might not be getting the full picture of how much methane is being released. My project aims to use new technologies like drones, robots, and advanced sensors to get better and more precise measurements. By doing this, we can help landfill operators understand where and when these gases are being released so they can take steps to reduce them. This matters because it can lead to better management of landfills, reduce the impact on the environment, and ultimately help in the fight against climate change.

Biography

Yitong Yang has completed a Professional master’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering, specializing in the Geosystem Program, at the University of California, Berkeley, and is now pursuing a PhD degree. Yitong previously earned a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering with a minor in Law from Tongji University, where she studied from September 2019 to July 2023. During her undergraduate years, Yitong was recognized with multiple scholarships, including the First Class Scholarship in the 2021-2022 academic year. In the summer of 2022, Yitong interned at USAS Building System (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., where she gained hands-on experience in steel structure design, project management, and technical analysis.