Koutian Wu

Koutian Wu

AI4Sci PhD @ UT-Austin. ex-Undergrad @ USTC.

Conversion Complete: Sean Xiang → Zong-Liang Yang

Conversion Complete: Sean Xiang → Zong-Liang Yang

Overview

Successfully converted the research chronicle from Sean Xiang (Bloombase founder) to Zong-Liang Yang (UT Austin climate scientist), following the exact pattern established in commit d216e402d50f29a4baa660b4e28861a822f66195 (Sean Xiang → Eric Greene conversion).

Files Changed

Deleted

  • research/sean-xiang-dossier.md - Removed original subject dossier
  • news-index.html - Removed business-specific news index

Created/Updated

  • research/zong-liang-yang-dossier.md - New research dossier for Yang
  • index.html - Updated with Yang’s research chronicle content
  • README.md - Updated project description
  • NEXT_STEPS.md - Updated with Yang-specific next steps
  • research/milestone-table-v1.md - Updated with Yang’s career milestones
  • research/milestone-table-v2.md - Updated with detailed Yang timeline
  • research/sota-design-review.md - Updated for academic research context

Data Files (All Updated)

  • data/chapters.json - 9 chapters covering Yang’s career from Australia to UT Austin
  • data/locations.json - Geographic journey: Melbourne → Sydney → Tucson → Austin
  • data/timeline.json - 12 key career events from 1985-2025
  • data/sources.json - Academic and institutional sources
  • data/artifacts.json - Key research milestones (Noah-MP, AGU Fellow, etc.)
  • data/validation.json - Research impact validation
  • data/storymap.json - Geographic narrative structure
  • data/present-direction.json - Current research focus
  • data/deep-briefs.json - Research impact summaries
  • data/artifact-taxonomy.json - Research artifact categories
  • data/archive-captures.json - Source documentation
  • data/source-roadmap.json - Research priorities
  • data/public-record-ledger.json - Public record tracking
  • data/exhibits.json - Key research exhibits

Content Transformation

From Business Chronicle to Academic Chronicle

  • Original: Enterprise security founder journey
  • New: Climate science research career

Key Narrative Shifts

  1. Formation: USTC/CUHK → Melbourne/Macquarie University
  2. Research: Beckman Laser Institute → University of Arizona postdoc
  3. Career: Bloombase founding → UT Austin faculty appointment
  4. Innovation: Enterprise security products → Noah-MP land surface model
  5. Validation: Enterprise partnerships → NCAR adoption, National Water Model
  6. Impact: AI-era repositioning → Hurricane Harvey forecasting
  7. Recognition: Business ecosystem → AGU Fellow election

Geographic Journey

  • Original: China → Hong Kong → California → Silicon Valley → Canada
  • New: Australia (Melbourne/Sydney) → Arizona → Texas

Timeline Span

  • Original: 1980s-2025 (technical formation to AI era)
  • New: 1980s-2025 (graduate studies to AGU Fellow)

Key Milestones Captured

  1. 1980s: M.S. in Meteorology, University of Melbourne
  2. 1989-1992: Ph.D. in Atmospheric Sciences, Macquarie University
  3. 1990s: Postdoc and research faculty, University of Arizona
  4. 2001: Joins UT Austin faculty
  5. 2007: Joseph C. Walter Jr. Excellence Award
  6. 2008: NCAR CCSM Distinguished Achievement Award
  7. 2008-2013: Co-Chair of NCAR Land Working Group
  8. 2011: Noah-MP model published
  9. 2017: Hurricane Harvey forecasting impact
  10. 2020s: Jackson Chair appointment
  11. 2025: Elected AGU Fellow

Research Impact Highlights

Noah-MP Model

  • Adopted by NCAR Community Earth System Model
  • Integrated into Weather Research Forecasting model
  • Used by U.S. National Centers for Environmental Prediction
  • Implemented in the National Water Model

Publications & Citations

  • Over 230 peer-reviewed articles
  • ISI H-index: 66
  • Google Scholar H-index: 81
  • Over $8 million in external funding as PI

Students

  • 16 PhD students graduated
  • 3 MS students graduated
  • Since joining UT Austin in 2001

Conversion Pattern Followed

This conversion exactly mirrors the Sean Xiang → Eric Greene pattern:

  1. ✅ Deleted original subject dossier
  2. ✅ Created new subject dossier with same structure
  3. ✅ Updated index.html hero, stats, and JavaScript functions
  4. ✅ Replaced all 14 data JSON files with new subject content
  5. ✅ Updated research milestone tables
  6. ✅ Updated design review document
  7. ✅ Removed subject-specific files (news-index.html)
  8. ✅ Updated README and NEXT_STEPS
  9. ✅ Maintained all original styles and structure

Technical Details

JavaScript Updates in index.html

  • Updated chapterTone() function to recognize Yang’s career phases
  • Updated classifyEvent() function for academic milestones
  • Updated hero stats to reflect Yang’s achievements
  • Updated map aria-label for Yang’s chronicle

Style Preservation

  • All CSS styles maintained unchanged
  • Card layouts, typography, and visual hierarchy preserved
  • Color scheme and design system intact
  • Responsive behavior unchanged

Next Steps

See NEXT_STEPS.md for detailed implementation roadmap, including:

  • Strengthening source archive with early career details
  • Adding visual assets (conference photos, research diagrams)
  • Documenting graduate student achievements
  • Adding complete publication timeline
  • Deepening exhibit treatments for major milestones

Verification

All content has been updated to reflect Zong-Liang Yang’s academic career while maintaining the exact structure, style, and functionality of the original chronicle system.

Conversion Date: March 17, 2026
Git Author: Koutian Wu ktwu01@gmail.com
Pattern Source: Commit d216e402d50f29a4baa660b4e28861a822f66195