Li announced as AGU Fellow

For Immediate Release
August 13th, 2014
Contacts: Katelyn Newman, knewman@essic.umd.edu

Li announced as AGU Fellow

COLLEGE PARK, MD – Dr. Zhanqing Li, a University of Maryland (UMD) professor in the Department of Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences  (AOSC) and member of the Earth System Sciences Interdisciplinary Center (ESSIC) was announced as an American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fellow, for his outstanding breakthroughs in remote sensing of clouds, aerosols and radiation.

“Only one in a thousand members is elected to Fellowship each year,” said Professor Antonio Busalacchi, director of ESSIC. “To be recognized by one's peers to be a Fellow of the AGU is an affirmation of the world-class research and talent we have at ESSIC.”

According to its website, the AGU Unions Fellowship was established in 1962 to recognize “AGU members who have attained acknowledged eminence in the Earth and space sciences as valued by their peers and vetted by a Union-wide committee of Fellows.”

“Dr. Li is well-deserving of this prestigious honor,” said Jayanth Banavar, dean of the UMD College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS).  “Throughout his career, he has been a leader in the field of environmental remote sensing and has served as a tremendous role model for our students who come from all over the world to benefit from his vast knowledge and expertise."

The American Geophysical Union is the leading organization of geophysical scientists with a membership of over 62,000, said Dr. Jim Carton, chair of AOSC.

“Only 0.1% of the AGU membership can be chosen to be a Fellow in any given year, so it is a great honor for Professor Li to have been chosen,” said Carton. “Incidentally Professor Li joins Professors Busalacchi, Dickerson, Kalnay, and Dr. Rasmusson with appointments in AOSC who have received this honor.”

According to AGU’s website, Li and 61 other new Fellows will receive recognition of their accomplishments at the AGU Fall Meeting during the award presentation year, followed by an Honors Banquet.

Media Contacts
Katelyn Newman
knewman@essic.umd.edu
Earth System Interdisciplinary Center