Wen Li Gives Talk about Electron Dynamics within Earth’s Radiation Belt

Yesterday, Wen Li, BU Assistant Professor of Astronomy and Hariri Institute for Computing Junior Faculty Fellow, gave a talk on her research titled “Quantitative Assessment of Earth’s Radiation Belt Electron Dynamics Using Physics-Based and Machine-Learning Approaches.” This talk is part of the Wed@Hariri Talk Series where Hariri Institute Junior Faculty Fellows share their research with the Hariri Institute and Boston University communities. The talk was held at the BU Astronomy Building.

In her presentation, she showed where the inner and outer radiation belts were located and explained the importance of studying these belts. Firstly, studying these radiation belts allows for learning on how charged particles are accelerated to high energies at magnetized planets. Secondly, they are key elements in space weather. She went on to detail how these radiation belts can cause anomalies in satellites, interfere with airline and military communication, and disrupt power grids and pipelines. One of Wen Li’s main goals for her research is to specify and predict radiation belt electron dynamics to mitigate potential hazards.

While physics-based techniques are the traditional route of analyzing these electron dynamics, Wen Li noted that machine-learning techniques have become more popular in recent years. Through conducting her research, she wanted to discover which technique was more effective and provided more accurate results. Throughout her presentation, she gave examples of how each technique had advantages and disadvantages. She concluded that though machine-learning mechanisms can never fully replace traditional physics-based techniques, these techniques should be used in conjunction.

Wen Li hopes to further her research by analyzing data using machine-learning techniques and physics-based models to be able to accurately predict the state of space weather and avoid potential hazards.

Wen Li is a recently appointed Junior Faculty Fellow at the Hariri Institute for Computing. This program recognizes outstanding early-career researchers at Boston University, and to connect them and with the Institute community at large. For more information about the program, please visit the Junior Faculty Fellow program page. For a listing of future talks please visit the Wed@Hariri Event Page