Professor Dai is a prominent Chinese meteorologist and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He is a pioneer in land surface process parameterization and Earth system modeling. Currently a Chair Professor at Sun Yat-sen University, he previously held leading academic positions at Beijing Normal University and conducted research at elite US institutions like the University of Arizona.

Dai is internationally renowned for leading the development of the Common Land Model (CoLM). This globally recognized system is widely integrated into major climate and numerical weather prediction models. Additionally, he developed high-resolution global land datasets utilized by premier research universities worldwide. His numerical frameworks combine data assimilation and parameter optimization to advance our understanding of land-atmosphere interactions.

Elected as an Academician in 2019, his honors include the prestigious Ho Leung Ho Lee Foundation Award. Beyond academia, he serves on the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC, balancing groundbreaking climate science with public service.