Research Interests
- Using Artificial Intelligence (e.g. CNN)) to analyze cloud microphysics properties
- Air-sea interaction and momentum transport under extreme weather conditions
- Theoretical Ocean Wave Physics and numerical wave modeling
Peisen Tan, PhD.
Postdoctoral Associate, (Mississippi State University/NGI), Hurricane Research Division
305.815.7985
4301 Rickenbacker Causeway
Miami, Florida 33149
“If a hurricane doesn’t leave you dead, it will make you strong. Don’t try to explain it, just nod your head. Breathe in, breathe out, move on” ~ Jimmy Buffet
Dr. Peisen Tan obtained her PhD in Ocean Sciences from Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Sciences, University of Miami in 2025. She is currently a post-doctoral associate affiliated with Northern Gulf Institute (NGI), Mississippi State University, co-advised by Dr. Xuejin Zhang (AOML) and Dr. Andrew Mercer (NGI). Here at AOML, she will focus on developing machine learning tools to automate the analysis of airborne cloud physics observations collected during NOAA hurricane field campaigns. The project uses artificial intelligence to classify hydrometeors, quantify observational uncertainty, and improve understanding of cloud microphysical processes that influence tropical cyclone intensity, structure, and rapid intensification. These efforts support the development and evaluation of next-generation hurricane forecast models, including NOAA’s Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS).
Current Work
- Utilizing Artificial Intelligence such as CNN to categorize hydrometeor particles from Hurricane Field Program
- Quantifying surface roughness and air-sea fluxes using in-situ Saildrone data.
- Using wave-follower (laboratory technique) to quantify wave-induced pressure near wavy surface and subsequent momentum flux.
2025, Ph.D. Ocean Science, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science, Virginia Key, FL
2019, B.S. Physical Oceanography, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- M. Lyu, H. Potter, P. Tan, M. Curcic, and B. Haus, “Reduction of air-sea momentum flux due to whitecap residual foam observed during a laboratory experiment,” Scientific Report, 2025, 15, 19682. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04118-w
- P. Tan, I. Savelyev, N. Laxague, et al., “Wind-wave momentum flux in steep, strongly forced surface gravity wave conditions,” Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 2025, 130, e2024JC021616. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024JC021616
- P. Tan, A. Smith, M. Curcic, and B. K. Haus, “Laboratory wave and stress measurements quantify the aerodynamic sheltering in extreme winds,” Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 2023, 128, e2022JC019505. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JC019505
Unsung Hero, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science, University of Miami 2025
Academics, Excellence, Leadership and Service (AELS) award, University of Miami Rosenstiel Teaching Assistant Excellence award, Rosenstiel School of Marine Atmospheric and Earth Science, University of Miami. 2023
Best Student Seminar (overall), COMPASS Student Seminar, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science, University of Miami. 2023
Best Presentation Skill, COMPASS Student Seminar, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science, University of Miami. 2023
Best Scientific Content, COMPASS Student Seminar, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science, University of Miami. 2023
1st place Wide Angle; 1st place Macro, Underwater Photo Contest, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science, University of Miami. 2023
Chinese National Scholarship, Ministry of Education of China (top 1% of students nationwide) 2018
Outstanding Student Leader, Ocean University of China 2017