Data-driven monitoring of atmospheric composition for climate change mitigation and adaptation
Robust predictions of air pollution and climate forcing require better representations of air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions than we have at present. In the coming decades, satellites will significantly enhance this understanding by monitoring atmospheric composition in exhaustive detail, at meter-to-continental and minute-to-decadal scales. I will present how we exploit satellite data to its full potential by integrating it with ground-based measurements, physics-based simulations, and data-driven methods such as Bayesian statistics and machine learning. I will first present how we leverage satellite observations of methane to support climate change mitigation. In the second part, I will discuss our data-driven frameworks for greenhouse gas and air quality monitoring. Lastly, I will show the application of actionable predictions to adapt to the environmental challenges and inform regulations.

Dr. Zhen Qu
Assistant Professor, Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at NC State on January 31, 2025 at 10:15 AM in EB2 1231
Dr. Zhen Qu is an assistant professor in the Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at North Carolina State University. She received her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering (Air Quality Track) from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2019 and B.S. in Physics from Peking University in 2014. She had her postdoctoral training at Harvard University from 2020 to 2022 before joining NCSU.
Dr. Zhen Qu’s research interests include air quality, greenhouse gases, remote sensing, data assimilation, and inverse modeling. Her research aims to address the current challenges in air pollution and climate change by (1) exploiting observations to elucidate air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions, concentrations, and chemistry; and (2) developing science-based strategies to improve air quality and abate climate forcing.

This lecture series features exciting and dynamic visiting and virtual speakers from across the range of ECE disciplines. Take some time every Friday morning to be inspired by these great scientists and engineers before heading into the weekend!