Prof. Yajuan Sun | Computational Mathematics | Best Researcher Award

Researcher at Academy of Mathematics and Systems Science, CAS, China

Professor Yajuan Sun is a distinguished mathematician at the Academy of Mathematics and Systems Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), specializing in geometric numerical methods for differential equations with applications in plasma physics, molecular dynamics, and soliton theory. With a Ph.D. from CAS and over two decades of academic excellence, she has led 14 major research projects, including national and international collaborations such as the ITER fusion project. Her 49+ peer-reviewed publications in top-tier journals, mentorship of numerous graduate students, and global academic engagements—spanning the UK, USA, Singapore, and Australia—reflect her influential contributions to both theory and applied science. Her innovative algorithms have been used in major fusion reactor simulations and were shortlisted for the ACM Gordon Bell Prize. Prof. Sun exemplifies leadership, innovation, and global impact in computational mathematics.

Professional Profile

Scopus Profile | ORCID Profile 

Education

Professor Yajuan Sun holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the Academy of Mathematics and Systems Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), where she developed variational integrators under the guidance of Prof. Mengzhao Qin. Prior to that, she earned her M.S. in Mathematics from Inner Mongolia University, where she focused on nonlinear parabolic equations. Her academic journey began with a B.S. in Mathematics from Inner Mongolia Normal University. Her early research laid the foundation for a lifelong specialization in numerical methods and geometric integrators. These academic credentials from top Chinese institutions shaped her deep understanding of both theoretical and computational mathematics, enabling her to build a globally recognized career in numerical analysis, with a focus on preserving geometric structures in the solutions of differential equations.

Experience

Professor Sun’s academic career spans over two decades at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, where she currently serves as a Professor at the Academy of Mathematics and Systems Science. She began as a Postdoctoral Researcher and has steadily advanced through roles as Assistant and Associate Professor. Internationally, she has been a Visiting Scholar at prestigious institutions including the Isaac Newton Institute (UK), UCSD (USA), and the National University of Singapore. Her collaborations span Europe, Oceania, and Asia, reflecting a robust international presence. She has supervised numerous graduate and visiting students, served as a referee for reputed journals, and contributed to a range of scientific platforms. Her sustained dedication and interdisciplinary work have made her a key contributor to applied and theoretical research within global scientific communities.

Research Interest

Professor Yajuan Sun’s research lies in geometric numerical integration, focusing on the development of algorithms that preserve intrinsic structures in differential equations—such as symplectic, volume-preserving, and energy-conserving properties. She explores advanced numerical techniques for both ODEs and PDEs, using variational principles, Hamiltonian systems, and generating functions. Her work applies to complex systems such as plasma dynamics, molecular simulations, and electromagnetic field modeling. She integrates finite element methods with geometric approaches to solve large-scale, stiff problems arising from science and engineering. Her ongoing interests include adaptive schemes, multisymplectic theory, and numerical stability. The elegance of preserving physical laws in simulations is at the heart of her research, contributing both to theoretical advancement and real-world scientific modeling in fusion energy and particle dynamics.

Award and Honor

Professor Sun has received notable honors, including the Excellent Achievement Award in Natural Science and funding from the K.C. Wong Education Foundation for Excellent Female Scientists. She has led or participated in prestigious projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the ITER Project, and international programs like the Royal Society’s cost-share exchange. Her work was integral to a simulation shortlisted for the ACM Gordon Bell Prize, one of the highest recognitions in high-performance computing. These accolades reflect her pioneering role in computational mathematics, the global relevance of her research, and her impact as a female leader in STEM. Her sustained excellence across theory, application, and mentorship has earned her respect in both Chinese and international scientific circles.

Research Skill

Professor Yajuan Sun excels in designing structure-preserving numerical algorithms for large-scale systems modeled by differential equations. She is proficient in symplectic and multisymplectic integrators, generating function techniques, Runge–Kutta methods, and volume-preserving schemes. Her computational expertise extends to adaptive time-stepping, Hamiltonian splitting, and hybrid solvers used in plasma and electromagnetic field modeling. She integrates theoretical rigor with practical algorithm design, validated through real-world simulations such as those of fusion reactors (EAST, CFETR). Her collaborative work across mathematics and physics showcases her ability to bridge domains using high-level programming, numerical modeling, and mathematical physics. She also reviews and edits scientific publications, mentors graduate research, and contributes to algorithmic theory in cutting-edge computational science.

Publication Top Notes

• Title: Contact-PIC Numerical Methods for Simulating Vlasov–Poisson–Fokker–Planck Problem
  Authors: Yajuan Sun
  Year: 2022

• Title: Numerical Analysis for a Class of Variational Integrators
  Authors: Yajuan Sun, et al.
  Year: 2025

• Title: Geometric Integration for the Linear-Gradient System
  Authors: Yajuan Sun, et al.
  Year: 2025

• Title: Hamiltonian Particle-in-Cell Methods for Vlasov–Poisson Equations
  Authors: Yajuan Sun, et al.
  Year: 2022
  Citations: 7

Conclusion

Professor Yajuan Sun stands out as a leading mathematician whose research bridges theoretical innovation and practical scientific impact. With an outstanding academic record, influential publications, and significant research grants, she has made enduring contributions to geometric numerical methods and their application in plasma physics and beyond. Her ability to integrate structure-preserving algorithms into simulations of complex physical systems has driven advancements in computational modeling. Through global collaborations, student mentorship, and editorial service, she contributes actively to the scientific community. With ongoing research in adaptive and energy-conserving numerical methods, Professor Sun is poised to further influence the future of scientific computing, making her an exemplary candidate for the Best Researcher Award and a role model in the mathematical sciences.