Jidong Yang
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SEG J. Clarence Karcher Award 2024
Jidong Yang derived a novel, cutting-edge viscoacoustic wave equation tailored for seismic modeling, migration, and inversion with the ability to capture viscoacoustic effects (amplitude loss and phase dispersion) during wave propagation. His equation provides enhanced flexibility and precision in complex geologic structures and paves the way for more scalable and efficient viscoacoustic reverse time migration and full-waveform inversion. Additionally, Yang has significantly enhanced the robustness of Gaussian beam migration in complex environments. One of Yang’s major innovative accomplishments was the development of algorithms to effectively separate compressional and shear wave modes in vertical transversely isotropic media. His many pioneering technical contributions have resulted in more than 34 peer-reviewed journal articles, of which he is senior author on 20. Yang’s citation rate and h-index exemplify the impact of his work, even at this early stage of his career. His service as a guest editor and on editorial boards for five different societies and journals is a direct result of the respect he has garnered from the scientific community.
Biography Citation for the J. Clarence Karcher Award
by Hejun Zhu, David Lumley, George McMechan, Jianping Huang, and Zhenchun Li
Jidong Yang stands out as a talented applied and theoretical seismologist in our community. Throughout our professional collaboration, we have been consistently impressed by his exceptional creativity, efficiency, and productivity. Since obtaining his PhD in just four years, Jidong has authored more than 30 peer-reviewed journal articles, with 20 as the first author. This level of scholarly output is particularly impressive for a young scientist. His major academic contributions include: viscoacoustic wave modeling, imaging, and inversion; elastic reverse time migration; Gaussian beam migration; and earthquake/microseismic imaging.
Jidong’s most impactful contribution revolves around the development of a cutting-edge viscoacoustic wave equation, with applications in seismic modeling, migration, and inversion. Through rigorous mathematical derivation, Jidong has successfully formulated a novel time-domain wave equation adept at capturing viscoacoustic effects — specifically, amplitude loss and phase dispersion — during wave propagation in the subsurface. The second major contribution of Jidong’s work is to enhance the robustness of Gaussian beam migration in complex subsurface environments. He has made significant contributions to various facets of Gaussian beam migration, such as extending its applicability to elastic media and developing an efficient least-squares algorithm. Both algorithms underwent rigorous testing on synthetic and field data examples, demonstrating their practical effectiveness.
In addition to his significant contributions to Gaussian beam migration and viscoacoustic modeling, Jidong has undertaken challenging endeavors in the realms of elastic reverse time migration and full-waveform inversion, both representing intricate facets of seismic imaging. Notably, he has spearheaded the development of innovative algorithms designed to effectively separate compressional and shear wave modes in vertical transversely isotropic media. Furthermore, he has made contributions to circumvent the cycle-skipping problem in full-waveform inversion, demonstrating his ability to successfully tackle nuanced issues inherent to this demanding topic. These advancements have not only enriched his academic landscape but have also garnered substantial interest from our industry partners over the past several years.
Following his graduation from the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) in 2020, Jidong has continued to contribute significantly to advance seismic modeling, imaging, and inversion. Among his notable achievements is the development of novel technologies, including an innovative method that combines the advantages of ray theory and finite difference solvers to efficiently solve the acoustic wave equation in complex earth models. This breakthrough substantially reduces the costs associated with solving the Helmholtz equation — a development with promising applications in future seismic imaging and inversion endeavors.
Besides his academic achievements, Jidong has also exhibited strong leadership within the SEG student chapter at UT Dallas. During his PhD studies, he was elected as both the president and vice president of our SEG student chapter, exemplifying his commitment to fostering a vibrant academic community. To honor his exceptional performance at UT Dallas, Jidong was awarded the prestigious Best Dissertation Award from the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. This accolade, bestowed upon only one recipient per year, stands as the highest honor for a graduate student within our school. Since graduation, Jidong has actively participated in SEG activities, serving as a reviewer and editor for SEG journals and organizing workshops and conferences.
Drawing from his extensive experience and impactful contributions, it is evident that Jidong has emerged as a rising star in the applied seismology community. His noteworthy achievements and dedication to addressing challenges in seismic imaging and inversion within complex subsurface environments make him a highly deserving recipient of the J. Clarence Karcher Award in 2024.