Full CV download here

Education

• University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
  • Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Remote Sensing and Ecology
  • Dissertation: Multi-source Remote Sensing of Water-related Land Cover Dynamics
  • Expected graduation: December 2025 or earlier
• Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resource Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
  • M.Sc. in Geography; Cartography and Geographic Information System
  • Thesis: Spatial Distribution and Change Detection of Rubber Plantation in Northeast Thailand Using Time Series Remote Sensing Images
  • 2017-2020
• Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
  • B. Sc. in Agriculture; Soil and Water Conservation and Combating Desertification
  • Thesis: Spatial Variability and Distribution Characteristics of Soil Organic Matter in the Yellow River Delta
  • 2013-2017

Professional Experience

• 07/2020-07/2021: Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR), Chinese Academy of Sciences
  • Research Assistant

Research Interests

• Remote sensing, Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
• Data science, Machine learning/deep learning
• Land use and land cover change, driving factors, and impacts
• Climate change and impacts
• Terrestrial carbon and water cycles
• Agriculture, forestry, and soils

Honors, Awards, and Fellowships

2024

• Best Student Poster Presentation, International Association for Landscape Ecology–North America (IALE-NA) annual meeting 2024

• Cindy and Jizhong Zhou Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Award in Environmental Science and Technology

• Robberson Conference Presentation and Creative Exhibition Travel Grant, University of Oklahoma (OU)

• Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences (DFCAS) Student Travel Grant, OU

• Kenneth & Joye Harwell Endowed Scholarship, OU

• Graduate Student Senate (GSS) Conference Grant, OU

2023

• Robberson Conference Presentation and Creative Exhibition Travel Grant, OU

• Kenneth & Joye Harwell Endowed Scholarship, OU

2022

• Kenneth & Joye Harwell Endowed Scholarship, OU

2020

• Outstanding Master Graduate Award, IGSNRR, Chinese Academy of Sciences

2017

• Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis Award, Beijing Forestry University

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles (Google Scholar, ResearchGate)

First Author and Corresponding Author(¹Equal contribution, ^*Corresponding)

2025

Zhang, C., Xiao, X., et al. Climate-induced losses of surface water and total water storage in Northeast Asia. (Communications Earth & Environment, in Revision)

Zhang, C., Xiao, X., et al. Mapping paddy rice in Northeast China with a knowledge-based algorithm and time series optical, microwave, and thermal imagery. Frontiers of Earth Sciences (in Press)

Wang, S., Huang, C., Huang, L., Xu, X., Shi, H., Gu, Q., & Zhang, C^*. Monitoring paddy rice cultivation adjustments in Northeast China through time series remote sensing and deep learning. (in Review)

2024

Zhang, C., Xiao, X., Wang, X., Qin, Y., Doughty, R., Yang, X., … & Dong, J. (2024). Mapping wetlands in Northeast China by using knowledge-based algorithms and microwave (PALSAR-2, Sentinel-1), optical (Sentinel-2, Landsat), and thermal (MODIS) images. Journal of Environmental Management, 349, 119618. [Full text]

2023

Zhang, C., Xiao, X., Zhao, L., Qin, Y., Doughty, R., Wang, X., … & Yang, X. (2023). Mapping Eucalyptus plantation in Guangxi, China by using knowledge-based algorithms and PALSAR-2, Sentinel-2, and Landsat images in 2020. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation, 120, 103348. [Full text]

Huang, C., Zhang, C.¹ (2023). Time‐series remote sensing of rice paddy expansion in the Yellow River Delta: Towards sustainable ecological conservation in the context of water scarcity. Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation, 9(4), 454-468. [Full text]

2022

Huang, C., Zhang, C.¹ (2022). Characterizing urban growth in Vientiane from 2000 to 2019 using time-series optical and SAR-based estimates of urban land. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation, 109, 102798. [Full text]

Huang, C., Zhang, C.¹, Li, H. (2022). Assessment of the impact of rubber plantation expansion on regional carbon storage based on time series remote sensing and the invest model. Remote Sensing, 14(24), 6234. [Full text]

2020

Zhang, C., Huang, C., Li, H., Liu, Q., Li, J., Bridhikitti, A., & Liu, G. (2020). Effect of textural features in remote sensed data on rubber plantation extraction at different levels of spatial resolution. Forests, 11(4), 399. [Full text]

Zhang, C., Huang, C., He, Y., Liu, Q., Li, H., Wu, C., &Liu, G. (2020). An analysis of the space-time patterns of precipitation-shallow groundwater depth interactions in the Yellow River Delta. Hydrogeology & Engineering Geology, 47(5), 21-30. [Full text]

Co-author

2024

Meng, C., Xiao, X., Wagle, P., Zhang, C., Pan, L., Pan, B., … & Newman, G. S. (2024). Exponential or Unimodal Relationships Between Nighttime Ecosystem Respiration and Temperature at the Eddy Covariance Flux Tower Sites. Ecology Letters, 27(10), e14532. [Full text]

Pan, L., Xiao, X., Pan, B., Meng, C., Staebler, R. M., Zhang, C., & Qin, Y. (2024). Interannual variations and trends of gross primary production and transpiration of four mature deciduous broadleaf forest sites during 2000–2020. Remote Sensing of Environment, 304, 114042. [Full text]

Yang, X., Xiao, X., Zhang, C., & Celis, J. (2024). Changes in Water and Carbon Fluxes in the USA Southern Great Plains Grassland Due to Evergreen Forest Encroachment. Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing, 50(1), 2333976. [Full text]

Pan, L., Xiao, X., Yao, Y., Pan, B., Yin, C., Meng, C., … & Zhang, C. (2024). Site-specific apparent optimum air temperature for vegetation photosynthesis across the globe. Scientific Data, 11(1), 758. [Full text]

2023

Wang, X., Xiao, X., Zhang, C., Dong, J., & Li, B. (2023). Effects of the 2022 extreme droughts on avian influenza transmission risk in Poyang Lake. The Innovation Life, 1(3), 100044. [Full text]

Yang, X., Xiao, X., & Zhang, C. (2023). Spatiotemporal variability and key factors of evergreen forest encroachment in the southern Great Plains. Journal of Environmental Management, 329, 117012. [Full text]

2021

Li, H., He, Z., Huang, C., Liu, Q., Liu, G., & Zhang, C. (2021). Spatiotemporal evolution of rubber forests in southern Myanmar during 2000-2019. Resources Science, 43(12), 2403-2415. [Full text]

Huang, C., Zhang, C., Liu, Q., Li, H., Yang, X., & Liu, G. (2021). Multi-Feature Classification of Optical and SAR Remote Sensing Images for Typical Tropical Plantation Tree Species Classification, Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 57(7), 80-91. [Full text]

2020

Huang, C., Zhang, C., He, Y., Liu, Q., Li, H., Su, F., … & Bridhikitti, A. (2020). Land cover mapping in cloud-prone tropical areas using Sentinel-2 data: Integrating spectral features with Ndvi temporal dynamics. Remote Sensing, 12(7), 1163. [Full text]

Huang, C., Zhang, C., Liu, Q., Wang, Z., Li, H., & Liu, G. (2020). Land reclamation and risk assessment in the coastal zone of China from 2000 to 2010. Regional Studies in Marine Science, 39, 101422. [Full text]

Huang, C., Xu, Z., Zhang, C., Li, H., Liu, Q., Yang, Z., & Liu, G. (2020). Extraction of rice planting structure in tropical region based on Sentinel-1 temporal features integration. Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering, 36(9), 177-184. [Full text]

Li, H., Huang, C., Zhang, C., Liu, Q., & Liu, G. (2020). Coastal Erosion and Sediment Dynamics of the Yellow River Delta and its Response to the Runoff-sediment Flux Since 1976. Resources Science, 42(3), 486-493. [Full text]

2019

He, Y., Huang, C., Li, H., Liu, Q., Liu, G., Zhou, Z., & Zhang, C. (2019). Land-cover Classification of Random Forest Based on Sentinel- 2A Image Feature Optimization. Resources Science, 41(5), 992-1001. [Full text]

Conference Presentations

2024

• Zhang, C., Xiao, X., Yin, L., Wang, X., Qin, Y., Meng, C., … & Dong, J. (2024, December). Water-related Land Cover Mapping through Multi-Source Remote Sensing and Deep Learning. AGU Fall Meeting 2024 (H53N-1297). Washington, D.C., USA (Poster)
• Zhang, C. (2024, November). Mapping paddy rice with a knowledge-based algorithm and multi-source satellites. Ecomunch Seminar. Norman, OK, USA (Oral presentation)
• Zhang, C. (2024, October). Widespread decline in surface and terrestrial water resources in Northeast Asia. Microbiology and Plant Biology Seminar. Norman, OK, USA (Oral presentation)
• Zhang, C., Xiao, X., Wang, X., & Qin, Y. (2024, August). Mapping paddy rice with a knowledge-based algorithm and time series optical, microwave, and thermal imagery, ESA annual meeting 2024. (PS 36-005). Long Beach, CA, USA (Poster)
• Zhang, C., Xiao, X., Wang, X., & Qin, Y. (2024, April). Mapping paddy rice with an enhanced knowledge-based algorithm and time series optical (Sentinel-2 and Landsat), microwave (Sentinel-1), and thermal (MODIS) imagery. IALE-North America Annual Meeting 2024 (P-46). Oklahoma City, OK, USA (Poster) Best Student Poster

2023

• Zhang, C., Xiao, X., Wang, X., Qin, Y., Meng, C., Yin, S., & Yao, Y. (2023, December). Surface Water Body Dynamics in Northeast Asia During 2015-2022 Using Time Series Landsat and Sentinel-2 Images. AGU Fall Meeting 2023 (GC31J-1163). San Francisco, CA, USA (Poster)

2022

• Zhang, C., Xiao, X., Qin, Y., & Yang, X. (2022, December). Annual Maps of Surface Water Body, Paddy Rice, and Wetlands in Northeast China Using PALSAR, Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, Landsat, and MODIS Imagery in 2020. AGU Fall Meeting 2022 (B42J-1749). Chicago, IL, USA (Poster)
• Zhang, C., Xiao, X., Qin, Y., & Yang, X. (2022, December). Mapping Eucalyptus Plantation in Guangxi, China Using PALSAR-2, Sentinel-2, and Landsat Images in 2020. AGU Fall Meeting 2022 (C32F-0678). Chicago, IL, USA (Poster)
• Zhang, C. (2022, September). Annual maps of surface water, paddy rice, and wetlands in Northeast China using multiple remote sensing data in 2020 Microbiology and Plant Biology Seminar. Norman, OK, USA (Oral presentation)

2018

• Zhang, C., Huang C. (2018, July). Groundwater Variation Characteristics and Influencing Factors in the Yellow River Delta. 19th Cross-strait Symposium on Environment, Resources and Ecological Conservation. Guizhou, China (Oral presentation)

Teaching

Spring2024

GIS/PBIO 4733/5733 Environmental Remote Sensing

• I served as an instructor for Hyperspectral and Multispectral Remote Sensing, including in-class lectures and field measurement of Spectroradiometer PSR 3500+, FieldSpec®3 ASD, and LAI 2200. I also assisted with Google Earth Engine (GEE) Module for data processing and land cover classification lectures. I was responsible for grading weekly textbook or article reading reports (15 weeks), grading student project reports, and designing and grading exams.

Spring2023

GIS/PBIO 4733/5733 Environmental Remote Sensing, 15 weeks.

Services and Outreach

Scientific workshops

• [2022-2024] I serve as the contact person and moderator for the International Forum on Ecology and Evolution of Avian Influenza (IFEEAI) and have held 66 webinars by Dec. 2024.

• [2023] I participated in the GIS Day at the Oklahoma State Capitol and taught people from the public and private sectors how to use the free tools on the CEOM website to explore land cover change, land surface temperature changes, and field photos from around the world.

• [2022] I attended the GIS Day at the University of Oklahoma and presented the recent progress from the CEOM in land cover/land use mapping and GPP modeling. I also showed the use of instruments to faculty and students from different majors, including LAI-2200c, ASD, PSR+, and UAV.

• Scientific conferences

• [2024] I served as a Student/Early Career Convener and Outstanding Student Presentation Awards (OSPA) Liaison for the American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2024 Fall Meeting session “Forest cover dynamics, drivers, and impacts under diverse human activities and climate change”.

• [2023] I served as a Student/Early Career Convener and Outstanding Student Presentation Awards (OSPA) Liaisons for the AGU 2023 Fall Meeting session “Advances in land cover and land use changes: data products, driving factors, and impacts”.

Journal referee

• ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing

• IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing

• Journal of Environmental Management

• Scientific Data

• Science of Remote Sensing

• Remote Sensing

• Journal of Plant Ecology

• Ecosystem Health and Sustainability

• Journal of Environmental Engineering and Landscape Management

• Environmental Research Communications

• Atmosphere

• Land

• All Earth
• Fire
• Drones

Professional Affiliations

• American Geophysical Union (AGU) (2022-)

• Ecological Society of America (ESA) (2024-)

• International Association for Landscape Ecology–North America (IALE-NA) (2024-)