​Dr. Zhan's research focuses on physical oceanography and data assimilation, with a specific interest in exploring the physical mechanisms of mesoscale oceanic eddies and associated interdisciplinary processes, and in developing data assimilation techniques for both theory and application perspective. He is also involved in the development of a high resolution ensemble forecasting system for the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf.

• ​Sensitivity studies of the Red Sea eddies using adjoint method
  Zhan, P., Gopalakrishnan, G., Subramanian, A. C., Guo, D., & Hoteit, I.
  Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans 123(11), 8329-8345, 2018
• Ensemble data assimilation in the Red Sea: sensitivity to ensemble selection and atmospheric forcing
  Toye, H., Zhan, P., Gopalakrishnan, G., Kartadikaria, A. R., Huang, H., Knio, O., & Hoteit, I.
  Ocean Dynamics, 67(7), 915-933, 2017
• The eddy kinetic energy budget in the Red Sea
  Zhan, P., Subramanian, A. C., Yao, F., Kartadikaria, A. R., Guo, D., & Hoteit, I.
  Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans 121(7), 4732-4747, 2016
• Far-field ocean conditions and concentrate discharges modeling along the Saudi Coast of the Red Sea
  Zhan, P., Yao, F., Kartadikaria, A. R., Viswanadhapalli, Y., Gopalakrishnan, G., & Hoteit, I.
  In Intakes and Outfalls for Seawater Reverse-Osmosis Desalination Facilities (pp. 501-520), Springer, Cham, 2015
• Eddies in the Red Sea: A statistical and dynamical study
  Zhan, P., Subramanian, A. C., Yao, F., & Hoteit, I.
  Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 119(6), 3909-3925, 2014

• KAUST research scientist, Dec 2019 – Dec 2021, Ocean modeling and physical oceanography
• ​Ph.D., Earth Science and Engineering, KAUST, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia, 2018
• M.Sc. Earth Sciences and Engineering, KAUST, Aug 2012 – May 2013, Sea surface height variability and eddies statistical properties in the Red Sea
• M.Sc., Physical Oceanography, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China, 2012
• B.Sc., Marine Science, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China, 201

• ​May-Nov 2018: Research Consultant, KAUST, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia 

• ​Physical Science and Engineering Division (PSE)