Yiwen is a PhD candidate at the Fenner School of Environment and Society, commencing in 2023. She completed a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies and a Master's degree in Forestry (advanced) at the Australian National University. Her previous research during her Master's studies focused on evaluating environmental water outcomes in the Murray Darling Basin. The findings were outstanding and garnered significant attention, becoming national news headlines on ABC News.

Yiwen's current research centres on the policy and management of the wetland vegetation in the Murray Darling Basin. She is also deeply interested in the conservation efforts of threatened wetland vegetation species and is actively exploring possible responses to climate change.