Prof. Wenchao Yu got his bachelor's degree from the University of Geosciences (Wuhan) in 2011 and continued on to complete his PhD at the same institution in 2017. From 2017 to 2022, he worked as an associate professor in School of Earth Science, University of Geosciences (Wuhan). Since 2022, he was promoted to the position of full professor. In addition to his role in academia, Prof. Yu holds the position of senior researcher at both the State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources of China and the Innovation Center of Ore Resources Exploration Technology in the Region of Bedrock in China. Currently, he is an associate editor for the Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, and sits on the editorial committee for the Journal of Palaeogeography as well as the Journal of Earth Science. His expertise is highly sought after as a reviewer, contributing to over twenty well-regarded journals, including but not limited to GCA, OGR, JES, PR, and Sedimentology.

Prof. Yu’s research primarily explores sedimentary ore deposits, including bauxite, manganese, iron, REE, and phosphorite deposits. He endeavors to trace back to deep-time global changes to uncover the pivotal elements influencing the deposition of economically valuable sedimentary ores. His innovative approach has proven successful, notably applied to the study of manganese deposits during the Neoproterozoic Snowball Earth, bauxite deposits in the Late Paleozoic Ice Age, and REE deposits overlaying the Emeishan Large Igneous Province. Recognized globally, Prof. Yu has fostered extensive international collaborations in his field, encompassing projects related to bauxite and ironstone in countries like Italy and Iran. He has published 67 scientific papers including over 34 papers in the international journals till now.