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Han Meng, B.E M.Sc

Han's PhD research focuses on the use of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) for Forest Vertical Structure study, which contributes to forest stem volume and carbon stock assessment.

Biography

Qualifications

  • Oct 2008 – present: PhD candidate, Geography Department, the University of Cambridge, UK
  • Sep 2006 – Jul 2008: MSc in Cartography and Geographic Information System, Remote Sensing & Information Engineering School, Wuhan University, China
  • Sep 2002 – Jul 2006: Bachelor of Engineering in Remote Sensing Science and Technology, Remote Sensing & Information Engineering School , Wuhan University, China

Awards and scholarships

  • 10/2008-10/2011, Cambridge Overseas Trust CSC scholarship, UK
  • 10/2010, Fitzwilliam College Senior Scholarship, Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge University, UK
  • 12/2007, Outstanding Graduate Student, Wuhan University, China
  • 12/2007, Guang-Hua Academic Awards, Taiwan Guang-Hua Education Fundation
  • 09/2006-07/2008, Wuhan University Graduate Scholarship, China
  • 12/2005, Academic Excellence Scholarship, Wuhan University, China
  • 05/2005, Excellent Student Cadre, Wuhan University, China
  • 05/2005, Top Ten Best Student Cadres, School of Remote Sensing and Information Engineering, Wuhan University, China
  • 05/2005, Excellent Photography Prize, School of Remote Sensing and Information Engineering, Wuhan University, China
  • 12/2004, First prize in Photography Competition, School of Remote Sensing and Information Engineering, Wuhan University, China
  • 12/2004, Academic Excellence Scholarship, Wuhan University, China
  • 06/2004, Excellent Student Cadre, Remote Sensing & Information Engineering School, Wuhan University, China
  • 12/2003, Academic Excellence Scholarships, Wuhan University, China

Skills

  • Chinese level: Fluent (Native speaker of Mandarin)
  • English level: Fluent
  • Spanish level: Basic Proficiency (equivalent to ALTE: A2 Level1)
  • Data Analysis Tools: ArcGIS, ERDAS Imagine, C++ Programming, Office Package

Research

Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), an active remote sensing technology using laser light which can penetrate forest canopy and provide the vertical structure information, has been more and more utilized as a tool for vegetation vertical structure research. Han's PhD project uses data collected by ground-based LiDAR, airborne LiDAR with a footprint diameter of about 25 cm, and spaceborne LiDAR (Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS)) with a footprint diameter of about 70 m to establish relationships between these measurements which will be used to scale up the study from local scale to regional scale.

There are three UK-based sites in this PhD project: Woodwalton Fen, Alice Holt and Thetford forest, and one potential site: Congo basin, focusing on the forest vertical structure study based on the analysis and comparison of small- and large-footprint LiDAR data. The objectives of this PhD project are to:

  • Collect Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) measurements on forest vertical structure.
  • Further our understanding of forest vertical structure by the integrated analysis of ground surveyed data, available optical imagery and LiDAR collected data.
  • Scale up the analysis to wider areas (Congo) based on the understanding derived from analysis of small woodlands in England.
  • Develop efficient methods/models to monitor the relationship between ground-surveyed data, LiDAR observations and above ground biomass/carbon stock.

Han's PhD project will contribute to accurate, large scale above-ground biomass and carbon stock assessment.

Publications

Selected publications

  • Han Meng, YL Liu, JX Zhang, H Gong, 2007. Positional accuracy in RPC point determination based on high-resolution imagery. SPIE Proceedings, vol.6752.
  • Han Meng, Bernard Devereux, Gabriel Amable, James Morison, 2011, Fusing Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) Data with Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) Data for forest bio-physical parameters retrieval – accepted by RGS-IBG Annual International Conference 2011
  • Han Meng, Bernard Devereux, Gabriel Amable, 2011, The impacts of key parameter change on Digital Terrain Model precision using airborne lidar data – in preparation
  • Han Meng, Bernard Devereux, Gabriel Amable, James Morison, 2011, Assessing the accuracy of GLAS topography estimation by using airborne lidar measurements – in preparation

Teaching

  • MPhil Environmental Science, Remote Sensing and GIS Practical
  • Part IB Wicken Fen Fieldtrip
  • Part IB Water Quality Project
  • Part IB Remote Sensing Practical
  • Part IA Spatial Data and GIS Practical
  • Part IA Gamlingay Wood Biogeography Fieldtrip and Labwork
  • Part IA Norfolk Coat Fieldwork
  • Part IA East Mersea Fieldwork

External activities

  • Part-time English-to-Chinese Translator 01/2009 – 01/2011, Bio-diversity Newsletters and Factsheets Translation. UNEP-WCMC (United Nations Environment Programme - World Conservation Monitoring Center), UK
  • Fitzwilliam College MCR Social Secretary 03/2010 – 03/2011, Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge, UK. This role involves organizing college events for graduate students and also events between colleges for inter-college communications
  • Student Union Publicity Department Director, 09/2003 – 09/2005, Remote Sensing & Information Engineering School, Wuhan University, China
  • Department Students Magazine<Xing Kong>Chief Editor, 09/2003 – 09/2005. Remote Sensing & Information Engineering School, Wuhan University, China
  • Life member of Cambridge Union Society
  • Member of Cambridge Dancers Club