Associate Professor Peyman Zawar-Reza
Position: Associate Professor, University of Canterbury. Field: Geography.
Dr Peyman Zawar-Reza is aN Associate Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Canterbury. He is using computer models to study the effects of wind movement on pollution in Christchurch city.
Windy!
The summer afternoon wind in the Mackenzie Basin can be very strong. Computer modelling by Dr Peyman Zawar-Reza determined the cause of this predictable wind.
Some people like to make models of planes or fast cars but Peyman is much more interested in recreating how the air moves a grain of sand around. He uses computer models to predict air movement in three dimensions over an area like Christchurch.
Becoming a scientist
How do people decide to become scientists? Dr Peyman Zawar-Reza, from the University of Canterbury, says it was a case of following his interest and passion and making it a career.
The models can predict air movement and can be used to predict the build-up and movement of air pollutants such as particulates. On a still winter day in Christchurch, the pollution level is relatively low, but when the Sun goes down, several things happen. People head home in their cars and light up their woodburners.
Air movement models
Accuracy of computer modelling depends on multiple sets of data and figuring out mathematical ways to combine them. The air flow models developed at the Geography Department, University of Canterbury, use geographical and topographical data and measurements of pollution, given certain conditions. Professor Simon Kingham and Associate Professor Peyman Zawar-Reza discuss how models are continually refined to make them better.
At the same time, the surface of the earth cools down, which creates a temperature inversion that acts like a cap trapping the particulates produced by the cars and the burners over the city. This build up of particulates can be shown in the computer model. It is hard to take measurements in every part of the city, so the model can be used to predict pollution levels in different parts of Christchurch, and these maps of pollution can then be compared to levels of sickness in different part of the city.
Christchurch model
Dr Peyman Zawar-Reza, from the University of Canterbury, discusses how scientists often develop models to help them solve problems. In this case, students wanted to find out what effect a city (Christchurch) has on the weather for that region and developed a model to combine multiple variables mathematically. When the variables were changed, the model predicted changes in weather patterns.
Peyman recognises the importance of using a model and says,
One of the neat things about using models, it allows you to test your hypothesis and your knowledge, because you can act like God – and change anything you like.
Mackenzie Basin model
Sometimes scientists have an idea about how something works but they are not sure until they collect data and analyse it. Dr Peyman Zawar-Reza, from the University of Canterbury, wanted to find out what caused the easterly wind in the Mackenzie Basin. He explains how he used computer modelling rather than other data to answer his question.
Peyman was born in Iran and then moved to Canada. After doing a BSc in biochemistry he became an aircraft pilot. It was while flying that he became fascinated with wind, having experienced its effects first hand, so he was inspired to do further study on meteorology at university. That led to him completing a PhD in environmental sciences and a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Canterbury.
Computer modelling in science
Dr Peyman Zawar-Reza, Geography Department at the University of Canterbury, uses modelling to predict the flow of particulates in the air over Christchurch. This video explains the development and use of computer modelling using past and present data to predict what the real world might be like in the future.
He is now an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Canterbury. His work looks at the effect of weather on air pollution and how, in turn, that air pollution affects people’s health.
He is still fascinated by wind, studying wind systems here in New Zealand and overseas in locations as diverse as the Antarctic and the Sistan Basin in Iran/Afghanistan.
This article is based on information current in 2008 and updated in 2018.
