Ionospheric Physics, Ionospheric Electrodynamics, Ionosphere-Thermosphere Coupling, Ionospheric Irregularities

2008-2012, Wuhan University, Telecommunication Engineering, B.E.

2012-2016, Wuhan University, Spacephysics, Physics, M.S.

2015-2017, The University of Texas at Dallas, Physics, M.S.

2015-2019, The University of Texas at Dallas, Physics, Ph.D

   

2020.01–2022.01, Clemson University, Physics and Astronomy, Postdoctoral Fellow

2022.02–2025.10, University of Colorado Boulder, Space Weather Technology, Research and Education Center (SWx TREC), Research Associate

2026.01–, National Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

   

[1] Zhan, W., Rodrigues, F. S., & Pedatella, N. M. (2026). On the Impact of Quiet-Time Day-to-Day Variability of Vertical Drifts on the Generation of Postmidnight ESF. Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 131(3), e2025JA034330.

[2] Zhan, W., & Kaeppler, S. R. (2025). Seasonal and Geomagnetic Activity Dependence of Auroral E-Region Neutral Winds at Poker Flat. Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 130(2), e2024JA033074.

[3] Zhan, W., Doostan, A., Sutton, E., & Fang, T. (2024). Quantifying Uncertainties in the Quiet-Time Ionosphere-Thermosphere Using WAM-IPE. Space Weather, 22(2), e2023SW003665.

[4] Zhan, W., Kaeppler, S. R., Reimer, A., & Varney, R. (2021). Seasonal and Solar Cycle Dependence of Energy Transfer Rates in the Auroral E-Region. Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 126(12).

[5] Zhan, W., Kaeppler, S. R., Larsen, M. F., Reimer, A., & Varney, R. (2021). An Investigation of Auroral E Region Energy Exchange Using Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar Observations During Fall Equinox Conditions. Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 126(10).

My research mainly focuses on the analysis of ionospheric phenomena at low-latitude equatorial and high-latitude polar regions, as well as the development of ionospheric forecasting capabilities. Research topics cover equatorial irregularities, equatorial ionization anomaly, and storm-time responses of polar wind fields, electric fields, ionospheric conductivity, etc.

Research methodologies adopted include:

1. Space-borne and ground-based observational data analysis
2. First-principles physical models (WACCM-X, WAM-IPE, TIEGCM, SAMI2/SAMI3, etc.)
3. Data-driven modeling approaches, including machine learning, neural networks, and other related algorithms