Welcome
to the Home Page for Weichao Tu
Here you will find brief information about who I am and what I do.
Please use the menu at the top of the page to navigate through the site. Recent news in the group is posted below.
Feel free to contact me if you are looking for collaborations, research projects, or simply friends in WVU. Questions on space physics are always welcomed.
Associate Professor
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Center for Kinetic Plasma Physics
Morgantown, WV 26506
Email:
Office Phone:
304-293-3349
RECENT NEWS
Malcolm Henderson wins a poster award at the 2024 Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium
(posted 7/29/2024 by Weichao Tu)
Presentation by Malcolm Henderson, a REU undergraduate student in our group, was chosen as the Runner-Up of the Physical Sciences and Engineering category at the 2024 Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium. His presentation title was "Comparative Data Analysis of the Dropouts Between Radiation Belt Electrons and Ring Current Protons".
Zhi Gu (Patrick) Li wins the best poster presentation award at GEM 2024
(posted 7/23/2024 by Weichao Tu)
Graduate student in our group, Zhi Gu Li, won the best poster presentation award in the Student Poster Competition at the 2024 Geospace Environment Modeling (GEM) annual meeting in Fort Collins, Colorado. GEM is one of the most prestigious meetings in the field of space physics, which is supported by the National Science Foundation.
Xingzhi Lyu paper published in Journal of Geophysical Research
(posted 07/17/2024 by Weichao Tu)
The paper is entitled "Quantifying the role of EMIC wave scattering during the 27 February 2014 storm by RAM-SCB simulations" with authors Xingzhi Lyu (postdoc), Vania Jordanova, Miles Engel, Weichao Tu, Qianli Ma.
Xingzhi Lyu's successful PhD Defense!
(posted 4/4/2024 by Weichao Tu)
Congratulations to Xingzhi Lyu on successfully defending her dissertation today! Her dissertation title is "Modeling the Dynamics of Radiation Belt Electrons and Ring Current Protons".
Weichao Tu at WVU Benedum Distinguished Scholars Showcase Event
(posted 03/26/2024 by Weichao Tu)
As one of the three honorees, Prof. Weichao Tu is invited to present at the WVU Benedum Distinguished Scholars Showcase event on April 9. Please join the Office of the Provost and WVU Benedum Distinguished Scholars for an evening of dialogue about research, passion and purpose.
Zhi-Gu Li paper published in Journal of Geophysical Research
(posted 03/09/2024 by Weichao Tu)
The paper is entitled "Modeling the Contribution of Precipitation Loss to a Radiation Belt Electron Dropout Observed by Van Allen Probes" with authors Zhi-Gu Li (graduate student), Weichao Tu, Richard Selesnick, Jinbei Huang (postdoc).
Sang-Yun Lee paper published in Journal of Geophysical Research
(posted 02/11/2024 by Weichao Tu)
The paper is entitled "Simulating Long-Term Dynamics of Radiation Belt Electrons Using DREAM3D Model" with authors Sang-Yun Lee (postdoc), Weichao Tu, Gregory S. Cunningham, Misa M. Cowee, Dedong Wang, Yuri Y. Shprits, Michael G. Henderson, Geoffrey D. Reeves.
Xingzhi Lyu paper published in Geophysical Research Letters
(posted 01/17/2024 by Weichao Tu)
The paper is entitled "Modeling the Simultaneous Dropout of Energetic Electrons and Protons by Magnetopause Shadowing" with authors Xingzhi Lyu (graduate student), Weichao Tu, Jinbei Huang (postdoc), Qianli Ma, Zhi-Gu Li (graduate student).
Jinbei Huang paper published in Geophysical Research Letters
(posted 12/19/2023 by Weichao Tu)
The paper is entitled "Modeling the Effects of Drift Orbit Bifurcation on the Magnetopause Shadowing Loss of Radiation Belt Electrons" with authors Jinbei Huang (postdoc), Xingzhi Lyu (graduate student), Weichao Tu, Jay M. Albert, Sang-Yun Lee (postdoc).
Jinbei Huang's successful PhD Defense!
(posted 7/11/2023 by Weichao Tu)
Congratulations to Jinbei Huang on successfully defending his dissertation today! His dissertation title is "Drift Orbit Bifurcation Effects on Earth’s Radiation Belt Electrons".
Weichao Tu selected as Outstanding Reviewers for Space Weather
(posted 5/31/2023 by Weichao Tu)
Dr. Weichao Tu has been selected as one of the 2022 Outstanding Reviewers for Space Weather, which is one of the major journals of American Geophysical Union (AGU).
Zhi Gu Li received O. Rex Ford Scholarship in Physics
(posted 4/10/2023 by Weichao Tu)
Zhi Gu Li has been awarded the O. Rex Ford Scholarship in Physics, which is one of the 2022-2023 Graduate Scholarships and Prizes from the Department of Physics and Astronomy at West Virginia University. This endowment provides funds to recognize academically outstanding students in the department.
Weichao Tu received the 2023 Benedum Distinguished Scholar Award
(posted 4/4/2023 by Weichao Tu)
Dr. Weichao Tu has been awarded the 2023 Benedum Distinguished Scholar Award from the West Virginia University (WVU). This is one of the highest honors at WVU recognizing distinction in research, scholarship or creative activity of the faculty.
Jinbei Huang paper published in Journal of Geophysical Research
(posted 11/10/2022 by Weichao Tu)
The paper is entitled "Modeling the Effects of Drift Orbit Bifurcation on Radiation Belt Electrons" with authors Jinbei Huang (graduate student), Weichao Tu, W. W. Eshetu.
Xingzhi Lyu paper published in Geophysical Research Letters
(posted 10/18/2022 by Weichao Tu)
The paper is entitled "Modeling the Simultaneous Dropout of Energetic Electrons and Protons by EMIC Wave Scattering" with authors Xingzhi Lyu (graduate student), Qianli Ma, Weichao Tu, Wen Li, Luisa Capannolo.
Graziela Silva paper published in Journal of Geophysical Research
(posted 08/06/2022 by Weichao Tu)
The paper is entitled "Modeling Radiation Belt Electron Dropouts During Moderate Geomagnetic Storms Using Radial Diffusion Coefficients Estimated With Global MHD Simulations" with authors G. B. D. Silva (visiting graduate student), L. R. Alves, W. Tu, A. L. Padilha, V. M. Souza, L.-F. Li, X. Lyu, M. B. Pádua.
Zhi Gu Li received the H. Arthur Weldon Award
(posted 4/18/2022 by Weichao Tu)
Zhi Gu Li has been awarded the H. Arthur Weldon Award, which is one of the 2021-2022 Graduate Scholarships and Prizes from the Department of Physics and Astronomy at West Virginia University. This endowment provides funds to recognize an academically outstanding student in their first year of graduate school in the department.
Mohammad Barani paper published in Journal of Geophysical Research
(posted 04/08/2022 by Weichao Tu)
The paper is entitled "High-Fidelity Analysis of ULF Wave Mode Structure Following Interplanetary Shock Compression of the Dayside Magnetopause Using MMS Multi-Point Observations" with authors Mohammad Barani (graduate student), Weichao Tu, Mary K. Hudson, Theodore Sarris.
Weichao Tu selected as Distinguished Lecturer in Plasma Physics
(posted 4/2/2022 by Weichao Tu)
Dr. Weichao Tu has been selected as the Distinguished Lecturer in Plasma Physics from the American Physical Society Division of Plasma Physics based on her reputation as an excellent speaker and foremost expert in areas pertinent to understanding the radiation belts.
Xingzhi Lyu paper published in Journal of Geophysical Research
(posted 03/10/2020 by Weichao Tu)
The paper is entitled "Modeling the Dynamics of Energetic Protons in Earth's Inner Magnetosphere" with authors Xingzhi Lyu (graduate student), Weichao Tu.
Sang-Yun Lee paper published in The Astrophysical Journal
(posted 01/10/2022 by Weichao Tu)
The paper is entitled "Simulation of Plasma Emission in Magnetized Plasmas" with authors Sang-Yun Lee (postdoc), Peter H. Yoon, Ensang Lee, and Weichao Tu.
Mohammad Barani's successful PhD Defense!
(posted 7/13/2021 by Weichao Tu)
Congratulations to Mohammad Barani on successfully defending his dissertation today! His dissertation title is "Estimating the Azimuthal Mode Structure of Ultra Low Frequency Waves and Its Effects on the Radial Diffusion of Radiation Belt Electrons".
Weichao Tu received the 2021 Katherine E. Weimer Award
(posted 6/22/2021 by Weichao Tu)
Dr. Weichao Tu has been awarded the 2021 Katherine E. Weimer Award from the American Physical Society Division of Plasma Physics. This recognizes outstanding achievement in plasma science research by a woman physicist in the early years of her career.
Yuequn Lou paper published in Geophysical Research Letters
(posted 02/24/2021 by Weichao Tu)
The paper is entitled "Diffuse Auroral Electron Scattering by Electrostatic Electron Cyclotron Harmonic Waves in the Dayside Magnetosphere" with authors Yuequn Lou (visiting graduate student), Xing Cao, Binbin Ni, Weichao Tu, Xudong Gu, Song Fu, Zheng Xiang, Xin Ma.
Wonde Eshetu paper published in Journal of Geophysical Research
(posted 12/10/2020 by Weichao Tu)
The paper is entitled "Quantifying the Effect of Magnetic Field Line Curvature Scattering on the Loss of Ring Current Ions" with authors W. W. Eshetu (postdoc), W. Tu, V. K. Jordanova, M. Cowee.
Weichao Tu paper published in Journal of Geophysical Research
(posted 08/20/2020 by Weichao Tu)
The paper is entitled "POES/MEPED Angular Response Functions and the Precipitating Radiation Belt Electron Flux" with authors R. S. Selesnick, Weichao Tu, K. Yando, R. M. Millan, R. J. Redmon.
TOP DOWNLOADED ARTICLE 2018-2019, Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
(posted 4/30/2020 by Weichao Tu)
Our paper entitled "Quantitative Assessment of Radiation Belt Modeling" has been recognized as one of the top 10% most downloaded papers in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics in 2018-2019.
TOP DOWNLOADED ARTICLE 2017-2018, Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
(posted 6/6/2019 by Weichao Tu)
Our paper entitled "Understanding the mechanisms of radiation belt dropouts observed by Van Allen Probes" has been recognized as a top 20 most read paper in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics in 2017-2018.
Li-Fang Li paper published in Journal of Geophysical Research
(posted 02/25/2020 by Weichao Tu)
The paper is entitled "Quantifying Event-Specific Radial Diffusion Coefficients of Radiation Belt Electrons With the PPMLR-MHD Simulation" with authors Li-Fang Li (visiting scholar), Weichao Tu, Lei Dai, Bin-Bin Tang, Chi Wang, Mohammad Barani (graduate student), Gang Zeng, Chao Wei, J.L. Burch.
Mohammad Barani received the Newkirk Fellowship
(posted 10/21/2019 by Weichao Tu)
Graduate student in our group, Mohammad Barani, received the Newkirk Fellowship awarded by the High Altitude Observatory of the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Newkirk Fellowship is one of the most prestigious fellowships in the field of space plasma physics, which is in honor of Gordon A. Newkirk Jr. (1928-1985).
Weichao Tu paper published in Geophysical Research Letters
(posted 08/16/2019 by Weichao Tu)
The paper is entitled "Modeling the Magnetopause Shadowing Loss During the June 2015 Dropout Event" with authors Weichao Tu, Zheng Xiang (visiting graduate student), S. K. Morley.
Mohammad Barani paper published in Journal of Geophysical Research
(posted 07/17/2019 by Weichao Tu)
The paper is entitled "Estimating the Azimuthal Mode Structure of ULF Waves Based on Multiple GOES Satellite Observations" with authors Mohammad Barani (graduate student), Weichao Tu, Theodore Sarris, Kevin Pham (postdoc), Rob J. Redmon.
Weichao Tu paper published in Journal of Geophysical Research
(posted 02/15/2019 by Weichao Tu)
The paper is entitled "Quantitative Assessment of Radiation Belt Modeling" with authors Weichao Tu, Wen Li, J. M. Albert, S. K. Morley.
Weichao Tu received the prestigious Cottrell Scholar Award
(posted 2/1/2019 by Weichao Tu)
Dr. Weichao Tu has been awarded the prestigious Cottrell Scholar Award from the Research Corporation for Scientific Advancement. The Cottrell Scholar program champions the very best early career teacher-scholars in chemistry, physics, and astronomy for the quality and innovation of their research programs and their academic leadership skills.
Zheng Xiang paper published in Geophysical Research Letters
(posted 8/17/2018 by Weichao Tu)
The paper is entitled "A Statistical Survey of Radiation Belt Dropouts Observed by Van Allen Probes" with authors Zheng Xiang (visiting graduate student), Weichao Tu, Binbin Ni, M. G. Henderson, and Xing Cao.
Weichao Tu received the prestigious NSF CAREER Award
(posted 6/12/2018 by Weichao Tu)
Dr. Weichao Tu has been awarded the prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER Award to support her research in developing the first comprehensive model to simulate the mysterious dropout of the radiation belt electrons.
Weichao Tu received the AT-RASC 2018 Young Scientist Award
(posted 3/1/2018 by Weichao Tu)
Dr. Weichao Tu was selected as a recipient of the AT-RASC 2018 Young Scientist Award and she will be honored at the UNION RADIO-SCIENTIFIQUE INTERNATIONALE (URSI) AT-RASC 2018 conference at Gran Canaria, Spain.
Kevin Pham paper published in Journal of Geophysical Research
(posted 10/23/2017 by Weichao Tu)
The paper is entitled "Understanding the Mechanisms of Radiation Belt Dropouts Observed by Van Allen Probes" with authors Kevin Pham (postdoc), Weichao Tu, and Zheng Xiang (visiting graduate student).
Zheng Xiang paper published in Journal of Geophysical Research and selected for AGU Eos Spotlight
(posted 10/17/2017 by Weichao Tu)
The paper is entitled "Quantifying the precipitation loss of radiation belt electrons during a rapid dropout event" with authors Zheng Xiang (visiting graduate student), Weichao Tu, Xinlin Li, Binbin Ni, S. K. Morley, and D. N. Baker.
Mohammad Barani wins the best poster presentation award at GEM 2017
(posted 7/3/2017 by Weichao Tu)
Graduate student in our group, Mohammad Barani, won the best poster presentation award in the Student Poster Competition at the 2017 Geospace Environment Modeling (GEM) annual meeting in Portsmouth, Virginia. GEM is one of the most prestigious meetings in the field of space physics, which is supported by the National Science Foundation.