The State Key Laboratory of Numerical Modeling for Atmospheric Sciences and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics (LASG) was founded in 1985 and was open to the public in September in the same year. In 1989, LASG was promoted to a state key laboratory. Thanks to the leadership of the previous LASG directors, Profs. Qingcun Zeng, Guoxiong Wu and Bin Wang, and the sincere efforts of all LASG members, LASG has become an internationally renowned laboratory of atmospheric sciences and geophysical fluid dynamics. LASG was rated “Top-ranking State Key Laboratory” in the 6 national assessments in 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2005 and 2010 consecutively. The national awards LASG has received include “the Advanced Organization” presented by the State Planning Commission (SPC) and Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in 1990, “Golden Bull” prize by SPC in 1994 and “State Key Laboratories Program—the Advanced Organization” prize by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) in 2004. Currently, Prof. Chongyin Li is the director of the Academic Committee of LASG, and Prof. Riyu Lu is the director of LASG.
The research directions of LASG have been refined lately to fit in the development of atmospheric sciences and the socioeconomic needs of China, and to meet the challenges posed by the knowledge innovation era on the state key laboratories. LASG has set agenda for the following items: to study and develop systematic theories of the evolution law and mechanism of geophysical fluid (atmosphere and ocean); to study weather and climate dynamics, and understand variation and mechanisms of anomalies of weather and climate systems; to develop modularized earth system models and regional models; and to provide new theories and methods for improving numerical forecast, preventing and mitigating weather and climate disasters, and for rationally using climate and water resources. In particular, LASG scientists focus on: I. Earth System Model Development and Application; II. Weather and Climate Dynamics; III. Predictability of Weather and Climate; IV. Geophysical Fluid Dynamics. The climate issues will be LASG's research focus in the next 5 years.
Since 2001, the leadership of LASG has been relayed to the younger generation. With collective and individual efforts, LASG has achieved more significant accomplishment, which can be demonstrated by numerous awards and recognition received over the years.
In 2001, Prof. Chongyin Li was elected an academician of CAS; Prof. Sixiong Zhao received Ho-Leung-Ho-Lee Foundation award; Prof. Mu Mu was awarded the first prize of CAS Award for Natural Sciences; Prof. Huijun Wang was selected as one of the recipients of the National Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars of China; Prof. Yimin Liu’s Ph. D thesis was rated “100 Quality Doctoral Dissertations in China”.
In 2002, LASG was funded by the Foundation for Innovative Research Groups of the National Natural Science Foundation of China; Prof. Chongyin Li received Ho-Leung-Ho-Lee Foundation award; Prof. Renhe Zhang (a member of LASG before 2001) was selected as one of the recipients of the National Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars of China.
In 2003, Prof. Duzheng Ye, the academic advisor committee member of LASG, was awarded the IMO Prize, WMO’s most prestigious prize; the case study written by Prof. Bin Wang was awarded “21st Century Achievement Award” of the Computerworld Honor in the 2003 science category; Profs. Ronghui Huang and Xuehong Zhang received the first prize of the National Award for Science and Technology Progress; Prof. Guoxiong Wu was elected the vice president of the International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences (IAMAS); Prof. Jianping Li was selected as one of the recipients of the National Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars of China.
In 2004, LASG was funded by the CAS/SAFEA (State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs) International Partnership Program for Creative Research Teams.
In 2005, Prof. Duzheng Ye received the National Supreme Award for Science and Technology; Prof. Qingcun Zeng et al. won the second prize of the National Award for Natural Sciences; Profs. Mu Mu and Bin Wang were awarded the “National Excellent Post Doc”. Meanwhile, LASG successfully hosted the 2005 IAMAS Scientific Assembly which attracted more than 800 scientists from all over the world.
In 2006, Profs. Guoxiong Wu and Jianping Li’s application for the National Basic Research Program (also called 973 Program) was approved; The funding to LASG by NSFC—Innovation Research Fund was renewed; Prof. Rucong Yu (a LASG member before 2004) was selected as one of the recipients of the National Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars of China; Prof. Bin Wang was elected a member of the Commission for Atmospheric Sciences, WMO; Wansuo Duan’s PhD thesis was rated “100 Quality Doctoral Dissertations in China”.
In 2007, Prof. Guoxiong Wu was elected the president of IAMAS, being the first Asian president of the association; Prof. Mu Mu was elected an academician of CAS; Prof. Guoxiong Wu et al. won the second prize of the National Award for Natural Sciences; Prof. Guangyu Shi received the award from the Fujihara Foundation of Science, the most prestigious award granted by Japanese Meteorological Association which had never been given to a foreigner; Prof. Riyu Lu was selected as one of the recipients of the National Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars of China; Prof. Jianping Li was appointed the director of International Program Office of Asian Monsoon Years (AMY 2007-2012).
In 2008, Prof. Guoxiong Wu received Ho-Leung-Ho-Lee Foundation award; Prof. Mu Mu was elected a fellow of the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (previously the Third World Academy of Sciences, TWAS); Prof. Bin Wang (University of Hawaii) was elected a fellow of American Meteorological Society; Prof. Bin Wang (LASG) was elected a member of Working Group on Coupled Modeling (WGCM) of World Climate Research Program (WCRP)/CLIVAR; Prof. Jianping Li was elected as a Co-coordinator of AMIP/East Asian Climate (EAC) International Project.
In 2009, the funding to LASG by NSFC—Innovation Research Fund was renewed for the second time, becoming the only project in the community of the atmospheric sciences that was consecutively funded for three times; Prof. Huijun Wang's application for the National Basic Research Program (also commonly known as 973 Program) was approved; Prof. Yimin Liu was selected as one of the recipients of the National Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars of China; Prof. Tianjun Zhou was elected a member of Asian-Australian Monsoon Panel (AAMP) of WCRP/CLIVAR; Prof. Jianping Li was elected a member of International Commission on Climate (ICCL) of IAMAS.
In 2010, LASG was again ranked "top" in the 6th national assessment of key laboratories. Prof. Wen Chen was selected as one of the recipients of the National Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars of China; Prof. Jianping Li's application for the National Basic Research Program (also commonly known as 973 Program) was approved; Prof. Bin Wang received funding for his new National High-tech Research Program (also commonly known as 863 program).
So far, LASG has received 30 national and ministerial awards, among which, there are 10 national awards (3 second prizes and 3 third prizes of National Award for Natural Sciences, 1 first prize and 3 second prizes of National Award for Science and Technology Progress), 11 first prizes of CAS awards (6 CAS Awards for Natural Sciences and 5 CAS Awards for Science and Technology Progress). LASG has also actively participated in various international model intercomparison projects and hosted important international conferences. Many LASG scientists gave invited talks at the international conferences and were involved in the decision making of international projects/programs. These activities increase LASG’s visibility home and abroad, and LASG is now internationally recognized for its atmospheric research and education.
The recognitions for LASG individuals since 1996 are: 4 academicians of CAS, 1 Chinese Young Scientist Award, 2 Science and Technology Awards for Chinese Young Scientist, 9 recipients of National Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars of China, 4 recipients of the Joint Research Fund for Overseas Natural Science of China, 5 supported by CAS One-hundred Talent Project, 3 “100 Quality Doctoral Dissertations in China” awards, 3 CAS “10 Outstanding Youths”, 5 CAS Young Scientist awards, and 11 PIs of 973 project and sub-projects. LASG is a robust research team with 51 scientific staff, 120 students and supportive staff. They form four innovational research groups: earth climate system model, weather and climate dynamics, weather and climate predictability and geophysical fluid dynamics. Since 2001, LASG has sponsored 85 open projects, invited 439 visiting scientists, employed 12 oversea supervisors, and hired 17 guest professors and 8 distinguished professors. They also contributed to LASG’s development.
The goal of LASG is to become a top international atmospheric research and education center and to play a significant role in the international programs.
