Meet Our Rising Stars – Professor Gao Meng, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

 

With a varied academic background in atmospheric physics and chemical engineering, Professor Gao Meng joined the Academy of Geography, Sociology and International Studies at HKBU following a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University.

A member of the Physical Sciences Panel of the RGC and a Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society, Professor Gao explores atmospheric chemistry, climate modelling, and climate change mitigation, and has written over 160 peer-reviewed articles published in journals such as Science Advances, PNAS, and Nature Communications.

The Research Office (RO) had an interesting conversation with Professor Gao discussing his various research interests and projects.

RO: Tell us about one of your ongoing projects 

Gao: One of them is “Climate- and environment-conscious urban growth in the Guangdong-Hong Kong- Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA): solutions and co-benefits", which charts a course for sustainable urban growth in the GBA by tackling climate change and air pollution simultaneously. 

A central focus is quantifying the powerful benefits of this integrated approach, which include significant public health gains from cleaner air, economic innovation through green technology, and enhanced urban liveability from reduced congestion and increased green space. By analysing policy and modelling outcomes, the project will deliver an evidence-based roadmap for cross-border collaboration.
 

RO: What sparked your interest in climate modelling? 

Gao: My interest was sparked by the immense complexity of aerosols and their role in the climate system. During my studies, I became fascinated by the paradox that the same industrial pollution creating harmful air quality could also produce aerosols that exert a cooling effect, partially "masking" the full extent of greenhouse gas warming. This wasn't just an academic curiosity; it was a critical uncertainty with huge policy implications. 

How can we create effective climate strategies without knowing the true warming we'll unmask as we clean our air? I realised that climate modelling is the essential tool for untangling these intricate interactions. It allows us to simulate the direct and indirect effects of aerosols on radiation and clouds, quantifying their impact. 

My passion stems from the desire to refine these models, reduce this uncertainty, and provide a clearer, more accurate picture of our climate future to guide meaningful action.

RO: How do you see technology impacting our comprehension of climate change and its consequences?

Gao: Advancements in technology are making our understanding of climate change vastly more precise and actionable. We’ve moved from a global-scale understanding to a highly localised one, driven primarily by two key areas. 

First, the explosion in Earth observation data from satellites, ocean floats, and ground sensors gives us a continuous, detailed health check of the planet. Second, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are becoming indispensable for making sense of this data. AI can identify patterns in massive datasets to improve weather forecasting, predict crop failures, and even accelerate the discovery of new climate-resilient materials. Crucially, these tools help us downscale global climate models to forecast specific local impacts. This technological shift is closing the gap between scientific knowledge and real-world decision-making.

RO: Which project you completed at HKBU would you choose to highlight?

Gao: I am most proud of my project on the optimal planning of greenhouse gas monitoring sites in Hong Kong. What makes it stand out is the sophisticated geospatial optimisation model we developed. We integrated complex variables like atmospheric dispersion, urban canyon effects, and shifting emission sources that previous ad hoc placements had ignored. The technical challenge of creating a model that balances maximal data accuracy with practical and financial constraints was immense. I am proud that our algorithm provides a scientifically robust, data-driven framework for infrastructure planning, representing a significant methodological advance for urban environmental monitoring.

RO: How has HKBU supported the advancement of your research?

Gao: HKBU’s research environment has been transformative by dismantling traditional academic silos. My work sits at the intersection of geography and data science, and HKBU's emphasis on interdisciplinary research clusters provided immediate access to collaborators and state-of-the-art facilities I wouldn't have alone. This has broadened the scope of my research directly, allowing me to integrate advanced data analytics, which improve the quality of my findings significantly. Instead of a narrow study, my project now has a more holistic and innovative framework, increasing its potential impact.

RO: What practices does your research team uphold that lead to success?

Gao: What I find most supportive is our lab's structured peer-mentorship system. Beyond guidance from our principal investigator, we have dedicated processes where senior students mentor junior ones formally on everything from experimental design to navigating academic life. This creates a powerful, multi-layered support network where everyone is invested in each other’s success. We also celebrate special moments, both professional milestones like a published paper and personal ones like birthdays. These small acts transform colleagues into a true support system.

RO: What do you wish someone had told you when you were starting out? 

Gao: I wish I’d known that patience is as important as brilliance. Your career is a marathon, not a sprint. The feeling that you're an imposter is nearly universal—don't let it paralyse you. Focus on consistent effort over frantic genius, and trust that your understanding will deepen over time.