Earth Scientist
Earth Scientist

Biography

Xiangyu Li is a physicist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). His research focuses on the quantum enabled predictability of multsicale nonlinear complex systems and quantum complexity theory, with the goal of advancing fundamental understanding and computational methods for challenging scientific problems. At PNNL, he contributes to interdisciplinary research at the intersection of physics, quantum computing, and complex systems science.

Research Interests

  • Quantum algorithms for multiscale nonlinear systems
  • Quantum computing for turbulent reactive transport and reaction-diffusion processes
  • First-principles understanding of particle-turbulence interactions, e.g., cloud microphysics

Education

  • Ph.D., NORDITA & Department of Meteorology, KTH & Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden, 2018
  • M.Phil., Department of Physics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China, 2014
  • B.Sc., Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China, 2012

Awards and Recognitions

  • 2025: BESTies Presented to Xiangyu Li for Core values - Collaboration, PNNL
  • 2024: BESTies Presented to Xiangyu Li for Core values - Creativity for quantum computing, PNNL
  • 2022: NASA Group Achievement Award for the ACTIVATE Earth Venture Sub-orbital Mission Team

Publications

2025

  • Li X., X. Yin, N.O. Wiebe, J. Chun, G.K. Schenter, M.S. Cheung, and J.H. Muelmenstaedt. 2025. "Potential quantum advantage for simulation of fluid dynamics." Physical Review Research 7, no. 1:Art. No. 013036. PNNL-SA-181572. doi:10.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.013036

2024

  • Li X., H. Wang, M. Christensen, J. Chen, S. Tang, S. Kirschler, and E. Crosbie, et al. 2024. "Process Modeling of Aerosol-cloud Interaction in Summertime Precipitating Shallow Cumulus over the Western North Atlantic." Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres 129, no. 7:Art. No. e2023JD039489. PNNL-SA-186592. doi:10.1029/2023JD039489
  • Li X., H. Wang, T. Chakraborty, A. Sorooshian, L.D. Ziemba, C. Voigt, and K.L. Thornhill, et al. 2024. "On the Prediction of Aerosol-Cloud Interactions Within a Data-Driven Framework." Geophysical Research Letters 51, no. 24:e2024GL110757. PNNL-SA-196006. doi:10.1029/2024GL110757
  • Tang S., H. Wang, X. Li, J. Chen, A. Sorooshian, X. Zeng, and E. Crosbie, et al. 2024. "Understanding aerosol-cloud interactions using a single-column model for a cold-air outbreak case during the ACTIVATE campaign." Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics 24, no. 17:10073-10092. PNNL-SA-193088. doi:10.5194/acp-24-10073-2024

2023

  • Li X., H. Wang, J. Chen, S. Endo, S. Kirschler, C. Voigt, and E. Crosbie, et al. 2023. "Large-eddy simulations of marine boundary layer clouds associated with cold-air outbreaks during the ACTIVATE Campaign. Part II: aerosol-meteorology-cloud interaction." Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences 80, no. 4:1025-1045. PNNL-SA-169198. doi:10.1175/JAS-D-21-0324.1
  • Painemal D., S. Chellappan, W.L. Smith Jr., D. Spangenberg, J. Park, A. Ackerman, and J. Chen, et al. 2023. "Wintertime synoptic patterns of variability of midlatitude boundary layer clouds over the western North Atlantic: Climatology and Insights From In Situ ACTIVATE Observations." Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres 128:e2022JD037725. PNNL-SA-177008. doi:10.1029/2022JD037725

2022

  • Brunke M., L. Cutler, R. Urzua, A. Corral, E. Crosbie, J. Hair, and C.A. Hostetler, et al. 2022. "Aircraft Observations of Turbulence in Cloudy and Cloud-Free Boundary Layers Over the Western North Atlantic Ocean From ACTIVATE and Implications for the Earth System Model Evaluation and Development." Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres 127, no. 19:e2022JD036480. PNNL-SA-169729. doi:10.1029/2022JD036480
  • Chen J., H. Wang, X. Li, D. Painemal, A. Sorooshian, K.L. Thornhill, and C. Robinson, et al. 2022. "Impact of Meteorological Factors on the Mesoscale Morphology of Cloud Streets during a Cold Air Outbreak over the western North Atlantic." Journal of Atmospheric Sciences 79, no. 11:2863-2879. PNNL-SA-171421. doi:10.1175/JAS-D-22-0034.1
  • Li X., H. Wang, J. Chen, S. Endo, G. George, B. Cairns, and S. Chellappan, et al. 2022. "Large-Eddy Simulations of Marine Boundary Layer Clouds Associated with Cold-Air Outbreaks during the ACTIVATE Campaign. Part I: Case Setup and Sensitivities to Large-Scale Forcings." Journal of Atmospheric Sciences 79, no. 1:73-100. PNNL-SA-162328. doi:10.1175/JAS-D-21-0123.1

2021

  • Seethala C., P. Zuidema, J. Edson, M. Brunke, G. Chen, X. Li, and D. Painemal, et al. 2021. "On assessing ERA5 and MERRA2 representations of cold-air outbreaks across the Gulf Stream." Geophysical Research Letters 48, no. 19:Art. No. e2021GL094364. PNNL-SA-162399. doi:10.1029/2021GL094364

2020

  • Li X., and L. Mattsson. 2020. "Dust growth by accretion of molecules in supersonic interstellar turbulence." The Astrophysical Journal 903, no. 2:Article No. 148. PNNL-SA-153790. doi:10.3847/1538-4357/abb9ad