Mengli Zhang

Mengli Zhang is a Research Assistant Professor and Co-director of the Center for Gravity, Electrical, and Magnetic Studies (CGEM) at the Colorado School of Mines. His research focuses on optimizing clean energy and mineral exploration through interdisciplinary approaches, integrating geophysical data, machine learning, and applied mathematics. Key areas include geologic hydrogen exploration, carbon capture, and cost-effective subsurface exploration methods like ergodic sampling. He holds a PhD in Geophysics from Colorado School of Mines, with prior degrees from The University of Texas at Dallas and Xi’an Jiaotong University.

His current projects include leading initiatives on hydrogen resource characterization, carbon storage monitoring, and geophysical data acquisition optimization. He has extensive industry experience as a geophysicist with the China National Petroleum Corporation, managing over 50 exploration projects and drilling site determinations. Teaching responsibilities include courses on compressive sensing in geosciences and geophysics in mineral exploration.

Zhang’s work emphasizes real-world problem-solving through innovative geophysical techniques, with active involvement in professional societies like the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) and the American Geophysical Union (AGU). His recent research highlights include advancing ergodic sampling methodologies and applying super-resolution GANs for data reconstruction.