My research addresses how Third Pole environment changes under global warming and how the hydrosphere, cryosphere, lithosphere, biosphere and anthrosphere interact to affect the functioning of the Asian water towers.
My focus is largely on alpine glacier mass balances and ice core records in China. My research reveals the three atmospheric circulation modes over the Tibetan Plateau, namely the westerly, transition and monsoon mode, due to the westerlies-monsoon interactions. Further, my research suggests that the westerlies-monsoon interactions are the major driver behind regional heterogeneity in land surface and environmental changes over the Tibetan Plateau.
I am also interested in knowledge transfers to raise public awareness of climate changes, and science communication to policy makers to contribute to policy making on human adaptations to the changing environment.
Academic background
- 1986 PhD, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Physical Geography)
- 1982 M., Lanzhou University (Physical Geography)
- 1978 B., Lanzhou University (Physical Geography)
Employment
- 2003-present: Professor, institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences
- 1999-2003: Professor, Cold and Arid Region Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences
- 1996-1999: Professor, Lanzhou Institute of Glaciology and Permafrost, Chinese Academy of Sciences
- 1996-1997: visiting scholar, the Ohio State University, U.S.
- 1995-1996: visiting scholar, the Ohio State University, U.S.
- 1993-1994: visiting scholar, LSCE, France
- 1992-1993: visiting scholar, the Ohio State University, U.S.
- 1988-1990: Postdoc, the Ohio State University, U.S.
- 1987-1988: Postdoc, Institute of Environmental Geosciences, the Observatory of Sciences of the Universe from Grenoble
Honors
- 2017: Vega Medal, Swedish Society for Anthropology and Geography
- 2017: Excellent Mentor Award, Chinese Academy of Sciences
- 2014: State Natural Science Award (Second Class)
- 2007: Elected Member, Chinese Academy of Sciences
- 2005: PI national 973 project
- 2004: Excellent Science & Technology Workers in China
- 2004: Advanced Individuals of national 973 project
- 2002: The Science Fund for Excellent Creative Research Groups of the National Natural Science Foundation of China
- 2001: Earth Sciences Prize, Ho Leung Ho Lee Achievement Prize for Science and Technology Progress
- 2000: Chinese Academy of Sciences Award in Natural Science (First Class)
- 2000: Zhu Kezhen field work prize
- 1999: National Prize for Natural Sciences of China (Third Class)
- 1998: Excellent Mentor Award, Chinese Academy of Sciences
- 1997: National Prize for Natural Sciences of China (Third Class)
- 1996: Chinese Academy of Sciences Prize for Natural Sciences (First Class)
- 1995: First Tibetan Plateau Youth Award in Science and Technology
- 1994: First winner of the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, National Natural Science Foundation of China
Professional activities
- 2009-present: co-chair, Third Pole Environment program (TPE)
- 2009-present: chairman, China Society on Tibetan Plateau
- 2009-present: vice chairman, Chinese Committee on ICIMOD
- 2007-resent: editor, Science in China (earth sciences)
- 2012-2015: vice chairman, Chinese Association for Quaternary Research
- 2011-2013: member, The International Council for Science Future Earth Transitional Team
Membership
- Member, AAAS
- Member, AGU
- Member, IGS
- Vice chairman, Society of Glaciology and Permafrost
- Member, Society of Geomorphology and Quaternary
- Member of the assessment panel, NSFC