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Upon learning I will start my faculty position at SFU, almost everyone said that Vancouver is a fantastic city to live and a great place for my Atmospheric Rivers (ARs) research. ARs—those sprawling “rivers in the sky” that transport moisture in the atmosphere—are why our region sees such dramatic winter rains. These phenomena nourish ecosystems and cities along the West Coast, but they also unleash life-threatening floods, landslides, and storms. Understanding their behavior isn’t just a scientific pursuit—it’s key to safeguarding communities, water resources, and infrastructure in our rapidly changing climate.

This mission fuels my Climate and Weather Extremes Lab at SFU. We will combine machine learning and atmospheric dynamics theory to unravel AR mysteries: When and where will ARs make landfall? Why do they target Vancouver primarily in winter? How will warming and moister atmosphere alter their frequency and intensity in the future? By decoding these patterns, we aim to improve predictions of extreme weather, from floods to droughts, and help society adapt to our rapidly changing climate.

My climate science does not stop at the atmosphere. During my postdoc at Duke University, I collaborated with global health researchers to predict malaria outbreaks in South America using tropical sea surface temperatures. I also partnered with civil engineers to study how bridges withstand rising temperatures—a project that merges my undergraduate Civil Engineering background with climate science. These interdisciplinary projects remind me that climate change is not just about weather; it is about people—their health, homes, and futures.

To future collaborators and students: If you’re curious about extreme weather, machine learning, or the societal impacts of climate change—let’s explore these challenges together! Learn more about joining our lab .

When I’m not tracking atmospheric rivers, you’ll find me playing badminton at the East Gym, running on trails of Burnaby Mountain, or exploring authentic Asian food in every corner of Vancouver.

Mengxin Pan

Assistant Professor, Department of Geography