Dr Wenxin Zhang he/him

I am a Reader in ecosystem and climate modelling at the University of Glasgow. My research centres on how terrestrial ecosystems—particularly in northern high-latitude regions—respond to climate change, and how these responses feed back to the global carbon and nitrogen cycles. I am passionate about understanding complex soil–plant–microbe interactions and their role in regulating carbon storage under environmental disturbances such as permafrost thaw, fire, and land-use change.

My group develops and applies process-based models (e.g. LPJ-GUESS) in combination with Earth observations and data assimilation to explore ecosystem dynamics across spatial and temporal scales. We work at the interface of ecology, climate science, remote sensing, and data science. I am particularly interested in expanding collaborations with experts in AI and machine learning, as well as in hydrology, environmental policy, and public health to co-develop interdisciplinary solutions to global challenges.

Potential CDT projects could explore machine learning–assisted upscaling of greenhouse gas fluxes, integration of remote sensing with dynamic global vegetation models, or simulating carbon-water trade-offs in peatland restoration. I welcome opportunities to supervise students interested in systems thinking, climate solutions, and computational environmental science. As a supervisor, I provide clear guidance and foster independent thinking in an inclusive, supportive environment. Many of my former PhD students have gone on to roles in academia, government agencies, and international environmental organisations.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are fundamental to my work. I actively mentor early-career researchers from underrepresented backgrounds, contribute to inclusive hiring practices, and advocate for flexible working arrangements. I believe diverse teams generate more creative and impactful science and am committed to fostering a welcoming research culture.

On a personal note, I enjoy hiking, playing football, and spending time with my two daughters (10-year and 6 year), who constantly inspire me to see the world through fresh eyes. I value empathy, curiosity, and collaboration—in both life and science—and I’m excited to contribute to the DiveIn CDT’s vision of nurturing diverse talent to lead future innovation.