Introducing: Wenyan Zhang
What is your qualifying background?
I studied applied mathematics for Bachelor and fluid mechanics for Master, and investigated coastal sediment transport and morphodynamics of barrier islands in my Ph.D thesis defended in 2010. Since then my research work has mainly focused on source-to-sink transport of solid material (clastic sediment and particulate organic matter) on continental margins and consequent shaping in geomorphology and benthic-pelagic coupling.
How would you describe your working daily routine?
I mainly work with numerical models. I have spent most of my working time in front of the computer during the past five years since becoming a member of HZG. Before that I had the chance to join field excursions for a few weeks every year in Bremen.
What has been your biggest success so far?
My biggest success so far was the design of a cruise which got funded by DFG few years ago and the scientific findings from this cruise. In this cruise we did some “crazy” things, including making measurements during a storm with 6 meter high waves and leaving a lander on the seafloor unguarded for a few days (to capture the storm impact on bottom sediment transport) without realizing that the lander was on the route of intensive bottom trawling. A fishing boat took our lander and threw it back to the sea (~130 m water depth) after taking the floats installed at the lander. We spent almost 24 hours searching for the lander and were with great luck to retrieve it from the seafloor about 700 m away from its original place. Most of the devices/sensors remained functional, and with the recorded data I published several papers summarizing the most important findings of my research on matter transport and sedimentation across continental shelves.
Do you have a big goal?
Do great research, publish great papers and in the meanwhile maintain a great balance between work and family.
Do you have any personal distinctive mark?
After getting my fishing license I have always been outside (e.g. along river Elbe) for fishing and get my skin tanned more and more.
