Understanding the shifting sands
Pei Zhang’s research focuses on aeolian processes that shape landscapes and communities as weather extremes intensify.
Growing up in north-central China, Pei Zhang noticed that the spring brought change to the sky. In her hometown, on the boundary between plains and mountains, dust storms were a regular part of the shifting seasons. Fine particles could remain suspended for days, sometimes turning the sky yellow for nearly a week. Zhang wondered how those particles were picked up, how they traveled and what happened along the way. That childhood curiosity formed the foundation of her academic career.
Zhang studies aeolian processes: how wind moves sediment and reshapes landscapes, focusing on coastal dunes and drylands. She examines how the near-surface atmosphere, vegetation and Earth’s surface interact and affect people, from the resilience of coastal communities to the health risks posed by dust storms.
“Air pollution does not stop at property boundaries,” Zhang emphasizes. Understanding how sediment enters the atmosphere can help researchers predict dust events, assess their impacts on air quality and public health and develop more effective strategies for managing vulnerable landscapes.
These issues matter especially in regions with extreme weather events. After prolonged drought, flash floods can deliver large amounts of sediment to exposed surfaces, providing material for later wind erosion. Once airborne, dust can carry bacteria, fungi and heavy metals over long distances, posing potential health risks to communities. In coastal areas, understanding how wind shapes dunes can help communities preserve natural barriers that protect homes and infrastructure.
Zhang earned her bachelor’s degree in science education and pursued graduate study in physical geography at Beijing Normal University and the University of Alabama. Later, as a postdoctoral physical scientist at New Mexico State University’s Jornada Experimental Range, she applied her research to dryland management and sustainability. Her work draws on field observations, remote sensing and numerical modeling, and she is beginning to extend her study to the surface of Mars.
Now an assistant professor of geology and geography at Mount Holyoke College, Zhang’s background in science education shapes her teaching and the time she spends with students. She describes her classroom as student-centered and grounded in active learning. She encourages students to apply scientific concepts to everyday questions.
In GEOG-224: Atmosphere and Weather, Mount Holyoke students learn the fundamentals of atmospheric science by examining weather patterns and extreme events, including winter storms, floods and the intense dust storms known as haboobs. In one project, students will use historical weather data and forecasting tools to analyze and predict weather events, later comparing their predictions with what actually occurred. Discrepancies invite further examination of forecasting methods and investigation of sources of uncertainty. “Students will always be the center,” Zhang stresses. “They will have plenty of opportunities to apply what they learn to practical questions or issues we care about.”
Mount Holyoke appealed to Zhang because it emphasizes education as an experience that shapes a student’s intellectual and personal life, not just as preparation for employment. Since joining the faculty, she has been struck by the interest Mount Holyoke students show in her research and by the support she has received from faculty and staff. “People here care about my research, my teaching and what I need,” she explains. “I’m really grateful for all the support I’ve received so far.” Zhang hopes students will know that the support extends to them as well. “Life is a journey,” she observes. “We are exploring the journey together.”
In her free time, Zhang enjoys hiking, and she looks forward to exploring the state parks and natural areas around South Hadley.
