Agriculture plays a crucial role in climate change, both as a source of greenhouse gas emissions and as a potential carbon sink. However, accurately measuring and managing carbon flows in agroecosystems remains a significant challenge. Sheng Wang’s project seeks to address this issue by integrating cross-scale remote sensing, agroecosystem modeling, and ground data into an advanced digital twin framework. This innovative approach will enable scalable tracking of field-level carbon dynamics in four key regions across Denmark.

Harnessing technology for a greener future

At the heart of Sheng Wang’s research is remote sensing, agroecosystem modeling, and process-guided machine learning, which will be used to analyse and interpret complex environmental and management data. By leveraging these cutting-edge technologies, his team aims to provide precise insights into how different farming practices and environmental conditions impact greenhouse gas emissions. The ultimate goal is to establish a fair and transparent system for carbon credit allocation and taxation, ensuring that farmers are rewarded for adopting climate-smart agricultural practices.

Fostering collaboration across Danish and international top universities

This highly interdisciplinary project will strengthen and enhance the existing collaboration among multiple top research centers and universities across Denmark and the United States. Sheng Wang is a tenure-track assistant professor at Pioneer Center for Landscape Research in Sustainable Agricultural Futures, Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University. In this project, he will collaborate with scientists from Copenhagen University and Technical University of Denmark via the Danish Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS) network. This project leverages artificial intelligence, remote sensing and agroecosystem modeling to innovatively upscale ICOS measurements to the regional scale. As an adjunct scientist, Sheng Wang will also collaborate with the Pioneer Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Denmark, and the Agroecosystem Sustainability Center (ASC) at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) in the US. UIUC is a top US public university and a world leader in agriculture and computer sciences.

A grant that transforms careers and science

The Villum Young Investigator Programme is designed to support the brightest young minds in the technical and natural sciences. Since its inception in 2011, the programme has awarded funding to 259 researchers, totaling over DKK 1.8 billion. This year, 19 promising researchers across Denmark have received a total of DKK 150 million to pursue their pioneering ideas.  

Sheng Wang’s project is a testament to the program’s commitment to fostering innovative research with real-world impact. The grant will enable him to establish his own research group, funding two PhD students and two postdoctoral researchers who will contribute to this transformative work.

Photo: Sheng Wang receiving the Villum Young Investigator grant on stage at the Villum Young Investigator Annual Awards show in January 2025. 

Shaping the future of climate policy

The insights gained from Sheng Wang’s research will not only benefit Danish agriculture but could also serve as a model for international carbon management strategies. By providing accurate, real-time data on greenhouse gas emissions, his digital twin framework could help policymakers design more effective climate regulations, ensuring that sustainable farming practices are both environmentally and economically viable.

Looking ahead: The next generation of innovators

As climate change continues to pose global challenges, innovative research in sustainable agriculture has never been more critical. With the support of the Villum Young Investigator Programme, Sheng Wang and his team will make significant contributions to climate-smart agriculture, shaping the future of carbon tracking and sustainable food production.

The Villum Foundation will open for new applications to the Villum Young Investigator Programme on March 18, 2025.