Dr. Wanshu Nie (she/her/hers)

Hydroclimate Scientist
Hydrological Sciences (617)

What is your research focus?

My research primarily focuses on understanding how human activity interacts with the freshwater cycle in a changing climate. I’ve dedicated much of my work to leveraging satellite remote sensing data and Earth system models through data assimilation – a powerful technique that combines observational data with model simulations to improve their accuracy. By continuously updating model predictions with observational data, data assimilation enhances our ability to create more realistic representations of complex environmental processes, making it invaluable for monitoring, forecasting, and supporting decision-making in the face of changing climate variability and extreme events.

During my Ph.D., I concentrated on developing a data assimilation system to improve irrigation modeling and better capture the impact of agricultural irrigation on the freshwater cycle, particularly in heavily managed regions like the High Plains Aquifer in the central United States. Currently, my research is centered around two key areas: (1) quantifying changes in the global water cycle by examining emerging long-term trends, seasonal shifts, and the evolution of extreme events over the past two decades and (2) exploring innovative methodologies to detect and classify droughts using water cycle components in these changing conditions.

All of this research is grounded in the development of a robust global water reanalysis dataset, which forms the backbone of my daily work. Creating, refining, and updating this dataset is a significant, yet rewarding, part of my job. What excites me even more is that this dataset, along with the research story, and the analysis notebooks our team is developing, are planned to be shared with both internal and external agencies through open science initiatives. Contributing to these efforts not only enhances collaboration but also broadens the impact of our work, allowing others to benefit from and build upon our findings.

Did you always know that you wanted to study Earth science?

When I was five, I dreamed of becoming a scientist, so it’s fulfilling to see myself on the path to achieving that childhood ambition. However, as I grew up, my interests wandered into diverse fields like diplomacy, journalism, piano performance, tennis, and even therapy – none of which had anything to do with Earth science. It wasn’t until I began my master’s studies that Earth science caught my attention, and even then, it was more practical considerations, like ending the long-distance relationship with my husband, that brought me to the U.S. to pursue a Ph.D. in the field.

Fortunately, I encountered incredible mentors along the way who opened my eyes to the beauty and depth of science. They inspired me to embrace the joy of research and the creativity involved in approaching big, open scientific questions. My passion for Earth science truly began to take root while working on NASA-funded projects during my Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins University. This was my first experience with the intricate process of integrating satellite observations into Earth system models through data assimilation.

I’ve always been fascinated by how human activities interact with our planet, and I’m grateful that my work focuses on the climate and environmental aspects of these interactions. This journey has made me more aware of the fragility of our habitat and deepened my commitment to protecting the world we live on.

What aspect of your work excites you the most?

What excites me most about my work is the collaborative environment that I’m fortunate to be part of. I’m constantly inspired by my team; they’ve created a friendly and caring atmosphere that feels like home, which makes every project more enjoyable. While I do miss more in-person interactions and wish for a more hybrid working arrangement, the connections we’ve built are invaluable. I also find excitement towards the final stages of modeling development and debugging – it’s like solving a puzzle, where every piece brings us closer to a solution. Additionally, I love the creative aspect of my work, especially when I get to craft beautiful visualizations that bring data to life from all dimensions. These aspects of my work not only keep me engaged but also drive my passion for what I do.

What research accomplishment are you most proud of?

I’m particularly proud of my work on developing a global water reanalysis dataset as part of the Earth Information System (EIS) project. This effort involves model development, data assimilation, and the integration of multi-source satellite data to assess global changes in water cycle. A key focus of this project is identifying nonstationarity – these are changes in the water cycle that do not follow a regular, predictable pattern over time. Unlike stationary processes, where the statistical properties remain constant, nonstationary processes exhibit trends, shifts, or changes in variability that can be driven by factors such as climate change, climate variability, and human activities. By understanding these irregular changes, we aim to better pinpoint regions most affected by nonstationary processes and investigate the drivers behind these changes.

Ultimately, our goal is to distribute the dataset to institutions who are interested in using it for their own research and decision-making processes. Collaborating with both internal and external agencies has been a true highlight for this project. For example, we partnered with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to incorporate our data into their 2022 Water Resource Report. I’ve found immense personal satisfaction in creating and sharing data that empowers others and contributes to global understanding and decision-making.

If you were to expand your current research focus, what new topic(s) would you explore?

As climate change and human activities continue to impact the environment, the water cycle exhibits time-variant dynamics, a concept known as “non-stationarity”. This means that the patterns we used to rely on for predicting extreme events and designing water management infrastructures are no longer consistent over time. Most traditional methods assume that these patterns, or the “climate normal”, stay the same, but that’s no longer the case. Both climate change and our response to it are complex and uncertain.

So, what will the future of our water resources look like under these changing conditions? And what new tools or information can help decision-makers better understand and prepare for natural disasters in this uncertainty? If I were to expand my research, I’d like to explore how machine learning and deep learning techniques could be used in combination with traditional earth system modeling to predict these changes in the water cycle. I’m also interested in how these insights could help us better detect and quantify extreme events, like floods and droughts, under shifting conditions – and ultimately, whether this approach could help communities plan and prepare more effectively for such disasters.

What does a typical day at work look like for you?

As a fully remote researcher, my typical workday begins with homemade coffee. By around nine o’clock, I’m at my desk, ready to dive into the day. I often find my mind a bit unsettled in mornings, much like the turbulence of air under the Sun. So, I ease into the day with simpler tasks – checking emails, assisting colleagues, or doing reviews – that help me get into the groove.

Meetings are usually arranged in afternoons. But if my schedule is clear, I block out 2-4 hours to tackle the most demanding work. This includes learning new methodologies or algorithms, diving into the research, writing papers, and developing and debugging models.

I head to the gym or tennis court around 5 p.m. It’s essential to beat the rush since facilities get crowded around 7 p.m. in Jersey City, and it’s moments like these that make me truly appreciate the flexibility of working remotely. I also enjoyed working in the evening, when the world quiets down and the darkness sets in – this is when I prefer to read or write, tasks that feel most natural in the calm of the night.

However, one downside of working remotely is the lack of in-person communication, which can sometimes make me feel lonely. To counter this, I started to head out to a coffee place or public library to work alongside colleagues who live nearby or friends who are also in remote-working mode. These activities help me stay connected and bring a refreshing change of environment to my workday.

There are certainly days when I feel bored or less motivated, and during those times, I find inspirations from Daily Rituals, a book by Mason Currey that explored the daily routines and habits of over 160 creative minds, offering insights into how they structure their days to cultivate creativity and productivity.

Tell us about a unique or interesting component of your work-life balance.

I spent most of my outdoor time on the tennis court when weather allows. If not, you’ll find me at the gym doing exercises to sharpen my tennis skills or watching my favorite players in action. Tennis has brought me immense joy, and I’ve greatly benefited from this sport.

Through learning tennis, I’ve practiced how to focus my attention, trust myself, and see things without judgement. I realized that the skill of mastering the art of relaxed concentration is invaluable not just in tennis, but in everything across work and life. These experiences help me piece together the elements of the game and synchronize my mindset and movement to flow as naturally as a river.

Playing doubles adds another layer of excitement. The court becomes a stage for all kinds of emotions: the thrill of nailing a perfect shot with your partner, the frustration of struggling against tough opponents, or the satisfaction of supporting – or being supported by – a partner, making every moment meaningful. It’s a beautiful mix of trust, encouragement, teamwork, friendship, and the sheer of delight of creating an unforgettable rally or a winning point.