Principal Scientist, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA

AGU embraces the global community and welcomes diverse leaders from around the world, representing various identities, voices, and perspectives. List any identities, voices, and perspectives you would bring, including but not limited to nationality, regional representations, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and any other identity you feel comfortable sharing.

As a Chinese-American, I embrace my heritage and value diversity, inclusion, equity, ethics and cultural awareness. I believe that a community that is welcoming and diverse, free from discrimination, harassment and bullying is not only ethical, it is more productive and sustainable. Diversity sparks creativity and innovation. Inclusion fosters belonging and compassion. Cultural awareness leads to better communications and collaborations. Community training and open discussions on unconscious biases and microaggressions are important. As a woman scientist, I encourage all women, especially women in the Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) community to thrive and lead. On one hand, we shall provide ample professional training opportunities to empower BIPOC women to speak up, step up and stand out. On the other hand, we shall work together to create an inclusive and equitable environment and eliminate systemic barriers. A peer support network is particularly beneficial for women to overcome fear and bolster confidence. Let’s work together to build a safe, healthy, vibrant and inspiring community.

Volunteer experience that relates to this position:

Editor of Geophysical Research Letters, January 2018–present; Chair of American Meteorological Society (AMS) Scientific and Technological Activities Commission (STAC) Committee on Tropical Meteorology and Tropical Cyclone, January 2022– present (Committee Member since January 2019); U.S. CLIVAR Panel Member on Process Study and Model Improvement (PSMI), 2021-present; President of Chinese-American Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (COAA) Southern California Chapter (2015-2017), Secretary (2006-2009); President of Chinese-American Engineers and Scientists Association of Southern California, July 2018-June 2019 (Board Member from 2015 to 2021).

As one of the elected leaders of your section, how will you partner with your president and president-elect to communicate with and engage your members to help implement AGU’s strategic plan including its mission and vision?

We live in an era with unprecedented challenges that requires strong leadership and concerted efforts. AGU has established century-long leadership in Earth and space sciences community and the 2020 strategic plan outlines the path forward to accelerate science discovery and promote innovation and action in the new era. Atmospheric Sciences (AS) section is one of the largest sections in the union and must spearhead the implementation of the 2020 strategic plan. If elected as the AS section secretary, I will work with the president and president-elect towards the three strategic goals, i.e., to advance discovery and solution-based science, build inclusive culture and broaden partnerships. In particular, I will help increase exchanges and collaborations between science and application communities through special sessions in the Fall Meeting and year-round webinars, workshops and conferences. Two years’ telework under the pandemic taught us to make good use of modern technologies to stay connected and collaborate innovatively. We will better use social media to disseminate science findings and solutions, inform the public and influence policy. We will provide more career development and leadership training opportunities for early-to-mid career scientists through mentorship programs and peer networking events, and increase participation of early career scientists and underrepresented minorities in the AS section activities. I am also passionate about STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) outreach to students, especially to underserved communities for a sustainable and equitable work force. Lastly, we shall partner with other organizations, public and private institutions to enhance science literacy and implement changes for greater societal resilience and sustainability.

Section affiliations:

Atmospheric Sciences; Global Environmental Change; Natural Hazards