Wei-Ping Chan
Wei-Ping Chan

Wei-Ping Chan

Exploratory Data Scientist · Interdisciplinary Researcher

From Nature to Society

Data Science AI Computational Modeling Ecology Evolution
✉ wpchanwork@gmail.com Google Scholar LinkedIn GitHub

I am a research scientist specializing in data science, AI, and computational modeling, with a strong focus on exploratory analysis, uncovering patterns, and developing theoretical insights. My interdisciplinary approach—integrating ecology, evolution, environmental science, and AI—has led to new discoveries and novel technologies.

My expertise includes digitization, spectral data analysis, insect flight mechanisms, and multi-modal AI applications. With over a decade of programming experience, I work extensively with spatiotemporal data, computer vision, and causal inference, building scalable analytical frameworks to drive scientific innovation and real-world applications.

Technical Skills

Programming

Programming

  • Python
  • R
  • MATLAB
  • Wolfram Mathematica
  • Spark
  • SQL
  • IDL
  • Shell Script
  • (Visual Basic)
Data Analysis

Data Analysis

  • Machine Learning
  • Computer Vision
  • Causal Inference
  • NLP
  • Statistical Modeling
  • Predictive Analytics
  • Time-Series Analysis
  • Spatiotemporal Analysis
  • High-Dimensional Data
Software & Tools

Software & Tools

  • ArcGIS
  • Tableau
  • Scikit-learn
  • ENVI
  • SPSS
  • Git
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe Lightroom
  • Adobe Premiere Pro
  • (Unreal Engine 5)
Research Methods

Research Methods

  • Ecological Modeling
  • Evolutionary Inference
  • Numerical Simulation
  • Experimental Design
  • Data Mining
  • Cross-Boundary Insights
  • Field Work
  • Workflow Optimization
  • Project Management

Datasets I Have Worked With

Geospatial & Environmental Data

  • Satellite Imagery (MODIS, Landsat, VIIRS)
  • Gridded Environmental Data (Land Use)
  • Gridded Climate Data (CRU, CHELSA)
  • Weather Station Data (GHCN, METAR)
  • Topographic Data (EarthEnv)
Geospatial Data

Biological & Genetic Data

  • DNA Sequencing Data
  • Phylogenetic Trees
  • Stable Isotope Data
  • Species Occurrence Records (iNaturalist, GBIF)
  • Experimental Results
Biological Data

Visual Data

  • Photographs (TIFF, JPG, PNG)
  • Multispectral Imagery
  • Video Recordings (30–900 fps)
  • Spectral Data
Visual Data

Computational & Simulated Data

  • Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulations
  • Signal Processing Data (Analog & Digital)
  • Web Content (News, Images, Stock Market)
Computational Data

Explore My Work

Projects

Research and creative projects spanning physical environments, species distribution, morphological quantification, and more.

View Projects →

Collaborations

An interactive map of the mentors, co-authors, and partners who have shaped my research across the globe.

View Collaboration Map →

Selected Publications

View full publication list on Google Scholar →

Background

Professional Experience

Founding Director

Sustainability Of Sustainability — Cambridge, MA, USA

Dec 2025 – Current

Leading the strategic vision and early development of an interdisciplinary nonprofit integrating science, art, and digital innovation to advance sustainability and public engagement.

Research Scientist

Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University — Cambridge, MA, USA

May 2025 – Current

Developed AI-powered hardware and software to digitize museum specimens in 3D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Roland Institute at Harvard, Harvard University — Cambridge, MA, USA

Jun 2023 – May 2025

Led the development of computer vision techniques and field experiments to investigate the impacts of artificial light at night (ALAN) on moth populations and behaviors.

Research Assistant

Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica — Taipei, Taiwan

Aug 2011 – Jul 2016

Applied statistical modeling, causal inference, and spatiotemporal analysis to examine species distribution, biodiversity metrics, and environmental response.

Education

Doctorate — Organismic and Evolutionary Biology

Harvard University — Cambridge, MA, USA

Thesis: Evolution and diversification of Lepidoptera · Advisor: Naomi E. Pierce

Award: Kao Fellowship (2018) & Peirce Fellowship (2017)

Aug 2017 – May 2023

Postgraduate Degree — Data Science and Management

Taipei Medical University — Taipei, Taiwan

Award: Academic Achievement Award (First Place)

Jul 2016 – Jul 2017

Master of Science — Forestry and Resource Conservation

National Taiwan University — Taipei, Taiwan

Thesis: Regional scale high resolution δ18O prediction in precipitation using MODIS EVI · Advisors: Hsiao-Wei Yuan & Sheng-Feng Shen

Sep 2009 – Jul 2011

Bachelor of Science — Forestry and Resource Conservation

National Taiwan University — Taipei, Taiwan

Sep 2005 – Jul 2009

Get in Touch

Whether you're interested in academic or business collaborations, technology discussions, knowledge exchange, investment opportunities, or mentorship — I'd love to connect.

wpchanwork@gmail.com