Jianwen Ai

About

Dr. Jianwen Ai is a leading figure in satellite-based aerosol remote sensing, whose work has fundamentally advanced our ability to monitor atmospheric particulate matter over land. Her research focuses on developing and validating sophisticated algorithms for retrieving Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) and Aerosol Optical Thickness (AOT)—critical parameters for understanding climate change, air quality, and human health impacts. Her most influential work, "Validation and analysis of aerosol optical thickness retrieval over land" (25 citations), tackled the significant challenge of extending MODIS-based AOT retrieval from well-established ocean methods to the more complex land surface. She further refined this capability in her highly-regarded study, "Prior knowledge-supported aerosol optical depth retrieval over land surfaces at 500 m spatial resolution with MODIS data" (14 citations), which achieved high-resolution (500 m) AOD mapping over complex terrains like China’s Heihe region and Pearl River Delta. Demonstrating remarkable versatility, Dr. Ai also pioneered quantitative AOT retrieval from geostationary FY-2 VISSR data, expanding the temporal monitoring of aerosols. Her contributions are foundational for modern atmospheric science, providing the essential data needed to link aerosol loading to climate forcing and public health outcomes.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Validation and analysis of aerosol optical thickness retrieval over land

   25 citations · 2011
2. 2
   Prior knowledge-supported aerosol optical depth retrieval over land surfaces at 500 m spatial resolution with MODIS data

   14 citations · 2011
3. 3
   Quantitative retrieval of aerosol optical thickness from FY-2 VISSR data

   2 citations · 2009

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links