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Wang, Zhien

Person

Positions

Research Areas research areas

Research

research overview

  • The overarching theme of my research is developing new measurement capabilities for aerosol, cloud, precipitation, water vapor, and temperature to understand interactions of aerosol, cloud, and precipitation as well as land-atmosphere and ocean-atmosphere interactions, leading to the improvement of the parameterizations of cloud-related physical processes and the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) in weather and climate models. The four themes of my research are: Research Theme 1: Instrumentation and Multi-Sensor Remote Sensing Algorithm Development. Research Theme 2: Cloud Properties, Processes, and Parameterizations. Research Theme 3: Atmosphere-Land-Ocean-Ice Interactions. Research Theme 4: ABL Structure, Process, and Parameterization.

keywords

  • Cloud physics, atmospheric remote sesning, multi-sesnor remote sesning, global aerosol and cloud distributions, Airborne Raman lidars

Publications

selected publications

Teaching

courses taught

  • ASEN 5235 - Introduction to Atmospheric Radiative Transfer and Remote Sensing
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2021
    Examines fundamentals of radiative transfer and remote sensing with primary emphasis on the Earth's atmosphere; emission, absorption and scattering by molecules and particles; multiple scattering; polarization; radiometry and photometry; principles of inversion theory; extinction- and emission-based passive remote sensing; principles of active remote sensing; lidar and radar; additional applications such as the greenhouse effect and Earth's radiative energy budget. Recommended prerequisite: one year of calculus-based physics and math up through differential equations. Same as ATOC 5235.
  • ATOC 4500 - Special Topics in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2019 / Fall 2019 / Spring 2020
    Acquaints students at the upper division level with current research in atmospheres, oceans, and climate. Topics may vary each semester. May be repeated up to 18 total credit hours within the degree as long as the topic is different. Students may register for more than one section of this course in the same semester. Recommended prerequisites and corequisites: will vary depending on topic. Recommended restriction: students with 57-180 credits (Juniors or Seniors).
  • ATOC 4815 - Scientific Programming, Data Analysis and Visualization Laboratory
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2020 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022
    Teaches programming in python, as well as analysis skills for accessing, analyzing and visualizing data that are commonly used in the atmospheric and oceanic sciences. Basic data analysis includes curve fitting and re-gridding/aggregation of satellite observations or meteorological data for global climatologies. The course content is primarily conveyed through hands-on code development. A final project, involving the independent analysis and visualization of a scientific data set, integrates skills acquired throughout the course. Recommended requisites: prior experience with Python or a basic programming course such as CSCI 1300 or equivalent, basic knowledge of calculus and algebra. Same as ATOC 5815.
  • ATOC 4830 - Remote Sensing Lab
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2023
    Fundamentals of remote sensing of the atmosphere and ocean including fundamentals of atmospheric radiation and inverse methods for deriving geophysical variables from measurements. Principles of satellite and ground-based active (lidar and radar) and passive remote sensing methods, instrumentations, and applications. Lectures will include both descriptive and quantitative approaches to the subject material and include in-class demonstrations and measurements and data from the ATOC Skywatch Observatory and NASA satellites. Recommended prerequisites: one year of calculus and one year of physics with calculus.
  • ATOC 5235 - Introduction to Atmospheric Radiative Transfer and Remote Sensing
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2021 / Spring 2022
    Examines fundamentals of radiative transfer and remote sensing with primary emphasis on the Earth's atmosphere; emission, absorption and scattering by molecules and particles; multiple scattering; polarization; radiometry and photometry; principles of inversion theory; extinction- and emission-based passive remote sensing; principles of active remote sensing; lidar and radar; additional applications such as the greenhouse effect and Earth's radiative energy budget. ATOC graduate core course. Department enforced prerequisites: one year of calculus-based physics, and math up through differential equations. Same as ASEN 5235.
  • ATOC 5815 - Scientific Programming, Data Analysis and Visualization Laboratory
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2020 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022
    Teaches programming in python, as well as analysis skills for accessing, analyzing and visualizing data that are commonly used in the atmospheric and oceanic sciences. Basic data analysis includes curve fitting and re-gridding/aggregation of satellite observations or meteorological data for global climatologies. The course content is primarily conveyed through hands-on code development. A final project, involving the independent analysis and visualization of a scientific data set, integrates skills acquired throughout the course. Same as ATOC 4815.
  • ATOC 6950 - Master's Thesis
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2023
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  • FYSM 1000 - First Year Seminar
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2019
    Provide first year students with an immersive experience in an interdisciplinary topic that addresses current issues including social, technical and global topics. Taught by faculty from across campus, the course provides students with an opportunity to interact in small classes, have project based learning experiences and gain valuable communication skills. Seminar style classes focused on discussion and projects.

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