Prof. Dr. Zhiguo Meng | Earth Science | Research Excellence Award

Professor | Jilin University | China

Zhiguo Meng is a professor and doctoral supervisor at the College of Geoexploration Science and Technology, Jilin University (Changchun, China). His primary research area is microwave remote sensing — especially using passive microwave radiometry to probe the thermal and physical properties of planetary surfaces. A key focus of Meng’s work is the study of the lunar regolith (the Moon’s surface “soil”): its dielectric properties, temperature distribution, composition, and thickness. For example, in one influential paper, he and colleagues demonstrated that the abundance of iron oxide (FeO) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) in lunar soil strongly influences microwave thermal emissions — but these compositional effects aren’t the only controls on emission behaviour.Meng’s group also investigates how the dielectric constant of lunar soil changes with frequency and temperature (using simulant materials in the lab), showing that both variables significantly affect microwave brightness temperature — a critical factor for interpreting data from lunar orbiters accurately.Using data from the passive microwave sounder instruments onboard the lunar missions Chang’e-1 and Chang’e-2, Meng has contributed to mapping subsurface structure, regolith thickness, and basalt–mare units on the Moon by developing frameworks to parse “brightness temperature” anomalies that are invisible in optical or infrared data. Overall, Meng’s work lies at the intersection of geophysics, planetary science, and microwave remote sensing. His research improves our ability to infer the composition, layering, and thermal properties of planetary surfaces — especially the Moon — from orbit, supporting lunar geology, exploration, and future mission planning.

Profiles: Scopus | ResearchGate

Featured Publications

Chang, W., Meng, Z., Bugiolacchi, R., Xu, Y., Zheng, Y., Zong, Q., Zhang, X., & Zhang, Y. (2025). Geological evolution of Rima Bode on the Moon revealed by multi-source remote sensing data. Remote Sensing, 17, 3824.
Shu, C., Meng, Z., Yang, Y., Wang, Y., Liu, S., Zhang, X., & Zhang, Y. (2025). Deep learning-based InSAR time-series deformation prediction in coal mine areas. Geo-Spatial Information Science, 2025, 1-23.
Liu, R., Zhang, X., Zhao, S., Xu, Y., Luo, P., Li, Y., Zeng, X., Sun, C., Pang, R., Li, C., Li, X., Xie, L., Meng, Z., Zong, Q., & Wang, C. (2025). Million-year solar wind irradiation recorded in Chang’E-5 and Chang’E-6 samples. Nature Communications, 16, 9197.
Mei, L., Liu, C., Meng, Z., Xu, Y., Zhang, X., Bugiolacchi, R., Zong, Q., Cheng, W., Ping, J., & Zhang, Y. (2025). Definition of effective brightness temperature difference and its geological significance. IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, 63, Article 4508411.
Bugiolacchi, R., Meng, Z., Hu, G. P., & Mall, U. (2025). Oceanus Procellarum and Mare Imbrium lava flows: A new comparative look using microwave radiometer data. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 130, e2024JE008827.

Prof. Dr. Zhiguo Meng’s research advances planetary science by improving our ability to interpret microwave remote sensing data for exploring the Moon’s geological history, surface composition, and subsurface structure. His work strengthens global lunar exploration efforts, supports resource-mapping for future missions, and enhances Earth-based applications such as InSAR deformation monitoring for mining and geohazard assessment. Through innovative modeling, deep-learning approaches, and multi-mission data analysis, he contributes valuable scientific tools that benefit both fundamental research and practical engineering, fostering technological progress and informed decision-making in space science and Earth observation.

Dr. Jie Wu | Earth Science | Best Researcher Award

University of Copenhagen, China

Dr. Jie Wu , a visionary hydrologist at the University of Copenhagen , is reshaping the understanding of Earth’s terrestrial water cycle through cutting-edge research on evapotranspiration, climate feedbacks, and Earth greening . With a Ph.D. from a joint program between the University of Copenhagen and Southern University of Science and Technology, her work seamlessly bridges global ecosystems, satellite remote sensing , and atmospheric processes. Dr. Wu has published in prestigious journals like Nature Geoscience and One Earth , contributing to breakthroughs in climate–vegetation dynamics. Beyond academia, she has presented at leading platforms like EGU and AGU and mentored students with passion and purpose. Her multilingual abilities, coding expertise , and global collaborations position her as a next-generation leader in Earth sciences. Dr. Wu’s dedication to sustainable hydrological solutions and scientific innovation makes her a standout in the global research arena.

Professional Profile

Google Scholar

Education

Dr. Jie Wu’s academic journey is rooted in rigorous scientific exploration and global engagement. She earned her Ph.D. in Hydrology through a prestigious joint program between the University of Copenhagen and the Southern University of Science and Technology, where she was co-mentored by two internationally acclaimed researchers, Dr. Guy Schurgers and Dr. Zhenzhong Zeng. Prior to her doctoral studies, she completed both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Hydrology and Water Resources from Hohai University, one of China’s top institutions for water-related sciences. Her academic path reflects a consistent trajectory of excellence, combining deep theoretical grounding with practical research in climate systems and water resource dynamics. Alongside coursework, Dr. Wu gained international exposure and built strong interdisciplinary skills. Her fluency in both English and Mandarin has enabled her to navigate global academic platforms and scientific networks with clarity and confidence.

Professional Experience

Dr. Jie Wu has rapidly carved a niche for herself as a versatile and globally engaged hydrologist. Currently serving as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Copenhagen, she is actively involved in climate-water system modeling, remote sensing analysis, and large-scale ecological assessments. She has contributed to numerous high-impact, multi-author publications and has collaborated with global research teams across Europe, Asia, and North America. As a Teaching Assistant, Dr. Wu has guided courses in ecological climatology, global climate change, and hydrology at the Southern University of Science and Technology, reflecting her strong teaching and mentoring capabilities. Beyond the classroom, she contributed as a volunteer teacher in Tibet, underscoring her commitment to equitable science outreach. With hands-on skills in Matlab, Linux, and scientific coding workflows, she adeptly translates complex datasets into meaningful insights. Her professional portfolio reflects a rare combination of scientific depth, global collaboration, and social impact.

Research Interest

Dr. Jie Wu’s research passion orbits around the terrestrial water cycle, where she explores the dynamic interplay between vegetation, climate feedbacks, and evapotranspiration. Her pioneering studies on Earth greening and its hydrological implications address urgent climate challenges, especially in light of rising CO₂ levels and land use shifts. She skillfully utilizes remote sensing technologies, ground-based flux data, and advanced hydrological models to understand spatial heterogeneity in water and energy fluxes across ecosystems. Dr. Wu also investigates the feedback loops between biosphere-atmosphere systems, particularly in tropical and agroecosystem landscapes. Her innovative work sheds light on the limitations of existing evapotranspiration products and supports the refinement of Earth system models. With a research compass pointed toward sustainability, precision, and prediction, Dr. Wu aims to enhance scientific understanding and decision-making on global environmental policies, water resource management, and climate resilience. Her work is a bridge between data and planetary well-being.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Jie Wu’s academic distinction has been recognized through a series of prestigious awards and honors that celebrate both her scholarly rigor and her societal commitment. In 2018, she was awarded the National Scholarship for Graduate Students —a highly competitive accolade in China reserved for exceptional researchers. She also earned the “Guangwen Liu” Outstanding Student Scholarship and was nominated for the 10th National College Student Person of the Year in 2015, recognizing her leadership, academic excellence, and service. That same year, she was honored as an Outstanding Graduate of Hohai University, underscoring her sustained brilliance during her undergraduate years. Dr. Wu’s recognition extends beyond certificates—her selection for international conferences, research collaborations, and reviewer roles reflects her rising prominence in the scientific world. These honors serve not only as a testament to her accomplishments but as indicators of her vast potential to shape future climate and water research.

Publications Top Notes

Rewetting global wetlands effectively reduces major greenhouse gas emissions
Authors: J Zou, AD Ziegler, D Chen, G McNicol, P Ciais, X Jiang, C Zheng, J Wu, …
Year: 2022 | Citations: 138 | Source: Nature Geoscience 15 (8), 627–632

Doubling of annual forest carbon loss over the tropics during the early twenty-first century
Authors: Y Feng, Z Zeng, TD Searchinger, AD Ziegler, J Wu, D Wang, X He, …
Year: 2022 | Citations: 135 | Source: Nature Sustainability 5 (5), 444–451

Deforestation-induced warming over tropical mountain regions regulated by elevation
Authors: Z Zeng, D Wang, L Yang, J Wu, AD Ziegler, M Liu, P Ciais, …
Year: 2021 | Citations: 122 | Source: Nature Geoscience 14 (1), 23–29

Large uncertainty on forest area change in the early 21st century among widely used global land cover datasets
Authors: H Chen, Z Zeng, J Wu, L Peng, V Lakshmi, H Yang, J Liu
Year: 2020 | Citations: 42 | Source: Remote Sensing 12 (21), 3502

The reliability of global remote sensing evapotranspiration products over Amazon
Authors: J Wu, V Lakshmi, D Wang, P Lin, M Pan, X Cai, EF Wood, Z Zeng
Year: 2020 | Citations: 40 | Source: Remote Sensing 12 (14), 2211

Hydrological feedback from projected Earth greening in the 21st century
Authors: J Wu, D Wang, LZX Li, Z Zeng
Year: 2022 | Citations: 23 | Source: Sustainable Horizons 1, 100007

Assessing evapotranspiration observed from ECOSTRESS using flux measurements in agroecosystems
Authors: J Wu, Y Feng, L Liang, X He, Z Zeng
Year: 2022 | Citations: 20 | Source: Agricultural Water Management 269, 107706

Effectiveness of protected areas in preventing forest loss in a tropical mountain region
Authors: Y Liu, AD Ziegler, J Wu, S Liang, D Wang, R Xu, D Duangnamon, H Li, …
Year: 2022 | Citations: 18 | Source: Ecological Indicators 136, 108697

Decreasing relative humidity dominates a reversal of decreasing pan evaporation in mainland China after 1989
Authors: Y Jin, D Wang, Y Feng, J Wu, W Cui, X He, A Chen, Z Zeng
Year: 2022 | Citations: 16 | Source: Journal of Hydrology 608, 127641

Evaluation of ECOSTRESS evapotranspiration estimates over heterogeneous landscapes in the continental US
Authors: L Liang, Y Feng, J Wu, X He, S Liang, X Jiang, G de Oliveira, J Qiu, …
Year: 2022 | Citations: 13 | Source: Journal of Hydrology 613, 128470

A continuous decline of global seasonal wind speed range over land since 1980
Authors: L Zhou, Z Zeng, C Azorin-Molina, Y Liu, J Wu, D Wang, D Li, AD Ziegler, …
Year: 2021 | Citations: 12 | Source: Journal of Climate 34 (23), 9443–9461

Dense flux observations reveal the incapability of evapotranspiration products to capture the heterogeneity of evapotranspiration
Authors: J Wu, Y Feng, C Zheng, Z Zeng
Year: 2023 | Citations: 8 | Source: Journal of Hydrology 622, 129743

Spatiotemporal variations of cropland carbon sequestration and water loss across China
Authors: S Jiang, J Wu, Z Wang, Z He, M Wang, W Yao, Y Feng
Year: 2023 | Citations: 6 | Source: Agricultural Water Management 287, 108427

The Critical Effect of Subgrid‐Scale Scheme on Simulating the Climate Impacts of Deforestation
Authors: D Wang, J Wu, M Huang, LZX Li, D Wang, T Lin, L Dong, Q Li, L Yang, …
Year: 2021 | Citations: 6 | Source: Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres 126 (17), e2021JD035133

Interplay of greening and ENSO on biosphere–atmosphere processes in Australia
Authors: S Liang, AD Ziegler, LZX Li, J Wu, D Wang, Z Zeng
Year: 2022 | Citations: 5 | Source: Geoscience Letters 9 (1), 43

Conclusion

Dr. Jie Wu exemplifies the spirit of a globally engaged, forward-thinking researcher. Her exceptional academic training, extensive field experience, and publication record demonstrate her strong contributions to advancing Earth system science. With a rare blend of analytical prowess, interdisciplinary focus, and a collaborative mindset, she is poised to drive innovations in climate-hydrology research and satellite-based environmental monitoring. As climate change intensifies, her work offers actionable insights into sustainable water management and ecosystem resilience. Dr. Wu is not only a promising scientist but also a future leader committed to bridging science and society. Her candidacy for the Best Researcher Award is distinguished by academic integrity, visionary goals, and a meaningful impact on science and sustainability.

Zhiguo Meng | Earth Science | Research Excellence Award