Pengfei Zhang, Research Scientist (CIMMS/NSSL)
Background:
Ph.D. Meteorology, University of Oklahoma, 1997
M.S. Atmospheric Physics, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1987
B.S. Atmospheric Physics, Peking University, P.R. China, 1984
Experience: Originally from China, Pengfei Zhang earned his bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Atmospheric Physics in his native country. Upon completion of his studies, he worked as a Research Assistant at the Chinese Academy of Meteorological Science in Beijing (from 1987-1989). Pengfei came to Oklahoma to pursue his doctorate degree in meteorology, and he has remained here ever since. He has been a Research Scientist with OU CIMMS, and has worked on various projects, including the Coastal Meteorology Research Program. He is currently focusing on weather radar data analysis.
What He Does: Pengfei is part of the Radar Research & Development Division at NSSL. He strives to improve radar capabilities for better detection of weather hazards, like rain, hail, snow, and even tornadoes. He describes it as “clairvoyance” – using radar to pick up on weather that is too far away for our eyes to see, scanning the clouds far above our field of vision. Pengfei’s research has been published many times, particularly in the journals of the American Meteorological Society. Be sure to keep an eye out for his work!
Trivia: Pengfei enjoys watching football, both the American version and what we know as soccer. He is also an avid badminton player, and is involved with a club through OU!