Zhao Kun
Professor and Dean
School of Atmosphere Science
zhaokun@nju.edu.cn
+86-025-89682539
Career Overview
I am a Professor and Dean of School of Atmosphere Science at Nanjing University. After obtaining my Ph.D. in Atmospheric Sciences from Nanjing University in 2004, I joined Nanjing University as a faculty member, and was promoted as a Professor since 2011. I also hold the director of Joint Center for Atmospheric Radar Research between CMA and NJU (JCARR), and the principal investigator of the World Meteorological Organization's UPDRAFT research project.
My research interests include radar observation of severe storms and tropical clones, cloud and precipitation physics, advanced data assimilation and retrieval techniques for radar observations. In the past years, I have published more than 50 papers on international journals. Two of my papers have been cited as EOS highlights of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) publication. My work has also been included in the State Council's report, and adopted by the internationally-renown WRF model. I was awarded the Jiangsu Province's Science and Technology first and second prizes, and 3 national patents, which has been utilized at all levels of the Chinese Meteorology Administration (CMA).
I have taught graduate level classes Progress of Radar Research and undergraduate-level courses Radar Meteorology and Atmosphere Detection Principal.
Education
| 2004 | Ph.D. in Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University |
| 1998 | B.Sc. in Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University |
Employment
| Jan., 2024 - Present | Dean, School of Atmosphere Science, Nanjing University Nanjing |
| Sep., 2018 - Jan., 2024 | Vice Dean, School of Atmosphere Science, Nanjing University Nanjing |
| Jan., 2011 - Present | Professor, School of Atmosphere Science, Nanjing University Nanjing |
| Jan., 2016 - Present | Director, Joint Center for Atmospheric Radar Research of CMA/NJU |
| Feb., 2015 | Visiting Scientist, Center for Advanced Data Assimilation and Predictability Techniques, Department of Meteorology, the Pennsylvania State University |
| Feb., 2012 | Visiting Scientist, Earth Observing Laboratory (EOL), National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) |
| Oct. ,2009 - May, 2010 | Visiting Scientist, Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms, Oklahoma University |
| Oct. ,2008 - Apr.,2009 | Visiting Scientist, Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms, Oklahoma University |
| Dec., 2007 - Dec.2010 | Associate Professor, School of Atmosphere Science, Nanjing University |
| Jul., 2004 - Dec.,2007 | Lecturer, Department of Atmosphere Science, Nanjing University |
| Jan., 2006 - Jul., 2006 | Post-doctoral position, Department of Atmosphere Science Nation al Taiwan University |
Research Interests
Radar Meteorology
Cloud and Precipitation Physics
Severe Convective Storms and Tropical Cyclones
Radar Data assimilation and Nowcasting
Teaching Interests
Radar Meteorology
Selected Publications
| 1. | Zhao K.*，Q. Lin，W.C. Lee，Y. Sun，F. Zhang，2016, Doppler Radar Analysis of Triple Eyewalls in Typhoon Usagi (2013)，Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 97(1)：25~30 DOI: 10.1175/BAMS-D-15-00029. |
| 2. | Zhao K.*, M. Wang, M. Xue, P. Fu, Z. Yang, X. Chen, Y. Zhang, W.C. Lee, F. Zhang, Q. Lin, Z. Li,2017, Doppler Radar Analysis of a Tornadic Miniature Supercell during the Landfall of Typhoon Mujigae (2015) in South China, BULLETIN OF THE AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, 98(9): 1821-1831 DOI: 10.1175/BAMS-D-15-00301.1. |
| 3. | Wang M.，K. Zhao*，M. Xue，G. Zhang，S. Liu，L. Wen，G. Chen, 2016, Precipitation microphysics characteristics of a Typhoon Matmo (2014) rainband after landfall over eastern China based on polarimetric radar observations，Journal of Geophysical Research - D: Atmospheres，121(20): 12415-12433 DOI: 10.1002/2016JD025307. (EOS Highlight) |
| 4. | Wen J., K. Zhao*, H. Huang, B. Zhou, Z. Yang, G. Chen, M. Wang, L. Wen, H. Dai, L. Xu, S. Liu, G. Zhang, W.C. Lee,2017, Evolution of microphysical structure of a subtropical squall line observed by a polarimetric radar and a disdrometer during OPACC in Eastern China, JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-ATMOSPHERES, 122(15): 8033-8050 DOI: 10.1002/2016JD026346. (EOS Highlight) |
| 5. | Zhao K.*, H. Huang, M. Wang, W. Lee, G. Chen, L. Wen, J. Wen, G. Zhang, M. Xue, Z. Yang, C. Wu, Z. Hu, S. Chen,2019,Recent Progress in Dual-Polarization Radar Research and Applications in China. Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, 36(9):961-974, DOI: 10.1007/s00376-019-9057-2. |
| 6. | Chen X.，K. Zhao*，M. Xue，B. Zhou，X. Huang，W. Xu, 2015, Radar-observed diurnal cycle and propagation of convection over the Pearl River Delta during Mei-Yu season，Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmosphere, 120(24):12557~12575 DOI:10.1002/2015JD023872. |
| 7. | Zhou A., K. Zhao*, W. Lee, H. Huang, D. Hu, P. Fu, 2020, VDRAS and Polarimetric Radar Investigation of a Bow Echo Formation after a Squall Line Merged with a Preline Convective Cell.Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres,125.e2019JD031719. DOI: 10.1029/2019JD031719. |
| 8. | Pan X., Y. Lu, K. Zhao*, H. Huang, M. Wang, H. Chen,2021,Improving Nowcasting of Convective Development by Incorporating Polarimetric Radar Variables into a Deep Learning Model, Geophysical Research Letters, 48(21), e2021GL095302, DOI:10.1029/2021GL095302. |
| 9. | Chen G., K. Zhao*, H. Huang, Z. Yang, Y. Lu, J. Yang,2021,Evaluating Simulated Raindrop Size Distributions and Ice Microphysical Processes with Polarimetric Radar Observations in a Meiyu Front Event over Eastern China.Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres.DOI:10.1029/2020JD034511. |
| 10. | Huang H., Q. Q. Li, K. Zhao*, H. N. Dai, X. Q. Fan, Y. Y. Xu, Y. H. Duan, W. C. Lee , F. Zheng,2022, Microphysical Characteristics of the Phase-locking VRW-induced Asymmetric Convection in the Outer Eyewall of Super Typhoon Lekima (2019), Geophysical Research Letters, e2021GL096869,DOI:10.1029/2021GL096869. |
| 11. | Wang Chen, Zhao Kun(*), Zhu Kefeng(*), Huang Hao, Lu Yinghui, Yang Zhengwei, Fu Peiling, Zhang Yu, Chen Binghong, Dongming Hu, Assimilation of X-band Phased-Array Radar Data with EnKF for the Analysis and Warning Forecast of a Tornadic storm, Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth System, 13(10), e2020MS002441, DOI:10.1029/2020MS002441 (2021) |
| 12. | Zhou Ang, Zhao Kun(*), Lee Wen-Chau, Ding Zhicheng, Lu Yinghui, Huang Hao, Evaluation and Modification of Microphysics Schemes on the Cold Pool Evolution for a Simulated Bow Echo in Southeast China. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 127, e2021JD03526,DOI:10.1029/2021JD035262 (2022) |
| 13. | Chen Gang, Zhao Kun(*), Lu Yinghui, Zheng Yuanyuan, Xue Ming, Tan Zhemin, Xu Xin, Huang Hao, Chen Haonan, Xu Fen, Yang Ji, Zhang Shushi, Fan Xueqi, Variability of microphysical characteristics in the '21.7' Henan extremely heavy rainfall event, Journal of SCIENCE CHINA Earth Sciences, DOI:10.1007/s11430-022-9972-9 (2022) |
| 14. | Ding Zhicheng, Zhao Kun(*), Zhu Kefeng(*),Feng Yerong, Huang Hao, Yang Zhengwei,Assimilation of Polarimetric Radar Observation With GSI Cloud Analysis for the Prediction of a Squall Line.Geophysical Research Letters,DOI:10.1029/2022GL098253 (2022) |
| 15. | Ji Yang, Kun Zhao(*), Yuanyuan Zheng, Haonan Chen and Gang Chen.Microphysical Structure of Thunderstorms and Their Lightning Activity During the mei-yu and Post-mei-yu Periods Over Nanjing, Yangtze River Delta.Geophysical Research Letters. 49, e2022GL100952, DOI:10.1029/2022GL100952 (2022) |
Honors and Awards
Distinguished Young Scholars of National Natural Science Foundation of China（2020）
The Second Prize for Science and Technology Progress Award in Jiangsu (2017)
Science and technology leader of “333 High-level Talent Training Program” of Jiangsu Province(2016)
The First Prize for Science and Technology Progress Award in Jiangsu (2014)
New Century Excellent Talent Award, the Ministry of Education (MOE), China(2013)
The Third Prize for Science and Technology Progress in Shanghai (2012)
QingLan Project Award for Young Talent in University in Jiangsu Province (2012)
The 7th Science and Technology Award for Young Meteorological Scientist, Chinese Meteorological Society (2010)
The Xieyibing prize for Young Meteorological Scientist in China (2010)
Position and Services
| 2021-Present | Member and Director of Observation Team, Chinese Committee of the World Weather Research Program (CNC-WWRP) |
| 2021 | Co-Chair, 14thInternational Conference on Mesoscale Convective Systems and High-Impact Weather(ICMCS14)) |
| 2020-Present | Member, Chinese National Committeefor the International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences (IAMAS) |
| 2019-Present | Project Chairperson, WMO Understanding and PreDiction of Rainfall Associated with landFalling Tropical cyclones (UPDRAFT) RDP |
| 2018-Present | Member, Tropical Cyclone Panel, Tropical Meteorology Research, WMO /WWRP |
| 2017-Present | Member, AS Section Secretaries, Asia Oceania Geosciences Society (AOGS) |
| 2015-Present | Member, Science Program Committee, International Conference on Mesoscale Convective Systems and High-Impact Weather in East Asia (ICMCS) |
| 2015-Present | Vice Director, Typhoon Committee, Chinese Meteorological Society |
| 2012-Present | Member, Forecasting Team of the National Meteorological Center of CMA |
| 2008-Present | Member, Radar Meteorology Committee, Chinese Meteorological Society |
| 2022-Present | Associate Editor, Journal of Tropical Meteorology |
| 2014-Present | Editor, Journal of Meteorological Research |
| 2013-Present | Editor, Advances in Atmospheric Sciences |
Research Projects
| 2023-2027 | PI, The formation mechanism of bow echo convective system related severe winds, Key Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 42230607) |
| 2020-2025 | PI, National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (Grant No. 42025501) |
| 2019-2022 | PI, Radar Observation of the Diurnal Cycle of Convection during Presummer Rainy Period in the South China Coast, NSFC (Grant No. 41875053) |
| 2018-2022 | PI, Observation of Convection Initiation and Precipitation Structure in Metropolitan Area, the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2017YFC1501703) |
| 2014-2016 | PI, National Science Fund for Excellent Young Scholars (Grant No. 41322032) |
| 2013-2017 | PI, Filed Experiment of Severe Convection of China, the National Fundamental Research 973 Program of China (Grant No. 2013CB430101) |
| 2013-2016 | PI, Analysis of Inner-core Asymmetric Precipitation Structures of Landfall Typhoon Using Doppler Radar Observation, NSFC (Grant No. 41275031) |
| 2010-2013 | PI, Development of the Wind and Precipitation Nowcasting Technology for Landfall Typhoons, the Social Common Wealth Research Program of China (Grant No. GYHY201006007) |
| 2010-2012 | PI, Analysis of Inner-core Axis-symmetric and Asymmetric Circulation Structure of Landfall Typhoons Using Doppler Radar Observation, NSFC (Grant No. 40975011) |