On November 3, 2025, Professor Xiao Cunde, Director of the State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology at Beijing Normal University, delivered a lecture on the course Introduction to Cryospheric Science to the 2023 cohort of undergraduates of the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Qinling Hall, Yuzhong Campus, Lanzhou University.

Professor Xiao Cunde provided a comprehensive and detailed explanation of climate and environmental records within the cryosphere for the undergraduates, including ice core records, lake records, tree ring records, and records from other media in cold regions. Combining field ice core drilling work with experimental analysis methods, he systematically introduced the latest scientific research progress in cryospheric climate and environment records. At the same time, he expressed hope that students would gain an understanding of scientific frontiers such as the IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate.

Profile: Xiao Cunde is a Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at Beijing Normal University and serves as the Director of the State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology. He is a winner of the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars. He formerly served as Vice President of the International Association of Cryospheric Sciences (IACS) and a Council Member of the International Glaciological Society (IGS). He is a member of the Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW) and the Scientific Steering Group of the World Climate Research Programme-Climate and Cryosphere (WCRP/CliC). He served as a Review Editor (RE) for Working Group I of the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5). Currently, he holds international academic positions such as Coordinating Lead Author (CLA) and Review Editor (RE) for the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6). He also holds domestic academic positions, including Secretary-General of the China Society of Cryospheric Science and Vice President of the China Association for Scientific Expeditions. He has published over 200 papers and has received honors such as the First Prize for Science and Technology Innovation from the State Oceanic Administration, National Advanced Worker, and National Advanced Science and Technology Worker.