Dr. Min-Yang Chou

Space Scientist
Space Weather Laboratory (674)

Did you always know that you wanted to be a space scientist?

I never imagined becoming a space scientist as a kid. Even after receiving my PhD, I didn’t expect to end up working at NASA. Like most young people, I didn’t know what I wanted to do or where my passions lay. After graduating from college, I decided to serve in the military. For most young men in Taiwan, military service is considered a waste of time, but it allowed me to reflect on my future. I learned many skills about maintaining the CM-11 (ancient tanks made in the US). Most importantly, it also helped me develop a habit of regular exercise, which has benefited my career as a scientist.

After finishing my one-year military service, I decided to pursue a master’s degree, thinking it would make it easier to find a tech job in Taiwan. I was fortunate to be admitted to study space science at National Central University (NCU). I still remember one of my friends mocking me for choosing such an unpopular academic major in Taiwan. He said, “Why study space science? Do you want to work at NASA?”

NCU is where my knowledge of space science began. I found space science fascinating and even considered pursuing a PhD. However, I began to doubt whether I had the talent to do research, as my classmates and senior lab members were excelling in their research. I also worried that earning a PhD may limit your career options, making it harder to find a job. I even wasn’t sure if I could successfully earn a PhD. So, like most STEM students in Taiwan (or most countries), I decided to look for a job after receiving my master’s degree. However, the job hunt did not go smoothly. I decided to work temporarily at NCU Center for GPS Science and Application Research (GPSARC) while continuing to search for other opportunities. This decision ultimately changed my life.

At NCU GPSARC, I was responsible for the FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC2 (F7/C2) mission, a joint US-Taiwan satellite mission. I worked with Dr. Ho-Fang Tsai to develop the first Taiwan Radio Occultation Processing System (TROPS) for F7/C2 ionospheric retrieval from scratch. I learned a lot about F7/C2 and the Global Navigation Satellite System. My coding skills also improved significantly. During this time, I received interview invitations from tech companies, but I realized I didn’t want a job — I wanted a career. After one year at NCU, I moved to Tainan with Dr. Tsai and decided to pursue a PhD in the earth science department with Dr. Charles Lin at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU).

At NCKU, I continued working on the F7/C2 project while also beginning ionospheric disturbances research using GNSS observations and the SAMI3 model. Dr. Lin advised me on how to conduct research and write journal papers. I was fortunate to have opportunities to collaborate with Dr. Jia Yue and Dr. Joe Huba. Eventually, I received my PhD within four years and published ten papers (six first-author papers). Looking back, I’m amazed at how much I accomplished, especially considering how unsure I was as a master’s student. This journey marks the beginning of my career as a space scientist.

Watching the FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC2 launch with my PhD advisor Charles Lin and my friend in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Credit: Min-Yang Chou

How did you end up working at NASA Goddard?

Steve Jobs once said “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So, you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.” This wisdom resonates deeply with me as I reflect on my career path.

While working at NCU GPSARC, I gained knowledge about the GNSS Radio Occultation (RO). I was unsure if the RO knowledge I acquired would be useful in finding a tech job. Even while pursuing my PhD at NCKU, I questioned whether I had the ability to secure an academic position in the future. My advisor, Dr. Charles Lin, encouraged me to learn the SAMI3 model, believing that mastering both observation and simulation techniques would benefit my career, which also led to an opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Jia Yue and Dr. Joe Huba.

Looking back, I can see how those early doubts and the advice I received ultimately shaped my path. My expertise in GNSS RO allowed me to begin my career in the US and take on a postdoc fellow position at the UCAR COSMIC office. My experience with the SAMI3 model and collaborations with Dr. Jia Yue and Dr. Joe Huba opened doors to opportunities at NASA CCMC. The once-disconnected dots of my past have connected.

Tell us about the research projects you are currently working on.

As an ionospheric scientist at CCMC, my research projects can be divided into two main parts.

The first part involves supporting the CCMC projects. I am responsible for maintaining and onboarding ionospheric models for runs-on-request (ROR) and instant run (IR). I work with model developers and engineers to develop the ROR and IR systems, helping to support and educate the community in conducting research with our services. Currently, I am working on the International Reference model (IRI) IR and SAMI3-WACCM-X ROR onboarding, and advising an intern student to develop an ionospheric visualization platform. Additionally, I conduct ionospheric model validation using standard metrics and observations. Recently, I am evaluating the ionospheric model performance during the 2024 Gannon storm using the GNSS techniques, including an Observing System Simulation Experiment (OSSE) with FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC2 data and single frequency GPS positioning.

The second part of my work is focused on my NASA-funded equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) project. EPBs are a particular space weather phenomenon mainly occurring in the nighttime equatorial region. They significantly reduce the plasma density in the ionosphere, displaying turbulent plume structures that can disrupt radio wave communications and GPS navigation. Understanding and predicting the development of plasma bubbles has baffled scientists for more than 80 years, especially in understanding the day-to-day variability. In this project, we are trying to understand what underlying physics are responsible for the formation of EPB and what causes the day-to-day variability of EPBs using the SAMI3/SD-WACCM-X model and satellite observations.

Evaluating the performance of the International Reference Ionosphere-2020 (IRI-2020) model in single-frequency GPS positioning during the 2024 Gannon superstorm. Significant positioning errors occur during the main phase of the storm.
Credit: Min-Yang Chou

What research accomplishment are you most proud of?

The research accomplishment I am most proud of is developing TROPS for the FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC2 (F7/C2) mission. I also proposed an aided Abel inversion algorithm to improve the retrieval error of F7/C2 ionospheric electron density. This work led to my first paper as a PhD student. I still remember going to Cape Canaveral, Florida, to watch the F7/C2 launch on June 25, 2019. Seeing the SpaceX Falcon Heavy lift off and send the six F7/C2 satellites into orbit was incredibly moving, knowing how far we had come. Our hard work paid off. I decided to pursue a PhD because of the F7/C2 mission, I wouldn’t be here without it. I was so fortunate to have this opportunity to contribute to this satellite mission.

(left) Dark bands and red glows were observed by the all-sky imager over Taiwan, showing both natural and anthropogenic ionospheric plasma depletions associated with equatorial plasma bubbles and a rocket launch. (right) Equatorial plasma bubbles observed by NASA GOLD. My research interest is understanding how lower atmospheric forcing contribute to the development and day-to-day variability of Equatorial plasma bubbles.
Credit: Lulin Observatory and Min-Yang Chou.

What do you enjoy the most about your job?

The most attractive part of being a scientist for me is the opportunity to travel around the world to attend scientific conferences, present your research, meet different people, and experience different cultures. Without being a scientist, I would not have had the chance to work in the United States.

At CCMC, what I enjoy most is working with the model developer/scientists. I have the chance to learn about the state-of-the-art models and conduct great research alongside outstanding scientists at Goddard. We develop the ROR and IR systems to support researchers and missions, contributing to this community. Working at CCMC has given me the perspective to realize the importance of supporting others since I would not be where I am today without the support and help from others. We achieve great research because we stand on the shoulder of giants. I am willing to support others, especially students and early career scientists. Recently, I advised the NASA Langley Develop team and an Indian student. The DEVELOP team members received an award for their work and that the Indian student has his paper published in the Geophysical Research Letter. It makes me happy to see their success.

What does a typical day at work look like for you?

My typical day at work is rather mundane. I spend most of my time in front of my laptop doing ordinary jobs, such as coding, reading, writing, and attending virtual meetings. When I am tired or have no idea on my work, I usually go for a walk. I got some idea when I was walking. I enjoy being in a state of intense focus, maybe so-called "Flow." When I am fully absorbed in my work, I feel calm and can tune out external distractions. I’ve even had moments when I didn’t notice my wife vacuuming beside me. To maintain focus, I usually turn off email, Teams, and mobile phone notifications that would distract me.

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time, I enjoy running, cycling, lifting weights, hiking, and camping. Among these, cycling is my favorite. Running feels too slow, while driving is too fast, but cycling offers the perfect pace for exploring new places. It's also great for both physical and mental health, which is vital for scientists. The primary reason I love cycling, especially in the mountains, is the sense of freedom and relaxation it provides. Being surrounded by nature and taking in the mountain views allows me to disconnect from daily stresses. Cycling in the mountains is particularly effective in relieving my anxiety and stress. I especially enjoy hill climbing. It pushes me to my limits, although it makes me exhausted. To reach the summit, you cannot sprint recklessly. You must control your heart rate, cadence and breathing. I got a sense of fulfillment after reaching a summit. Cycling in the mountains nurtures my resilience and grit, which has benefited my PhD and career. I have always felt that my career resembles hill climbing, I've climbed many mountains along the way (GPSARC, PhD, and UCAR, among others). Now, there is another mountain (NASA) to climb, and I keep moving forward and enjoying it.

I enjoy riding road bike with friends and son during my free time. I miss mountains in Colorado a lot.
Credit: Min-Yang Chou