The PI is an astrophysicist specialized in theoretical and computational star and planet formation, especially in the construction and evolution of the Solar System, and the in-situ processing of planet-making materials. The PI also develops hydrodynamic and magnetohydrodynamic codes for astrophysical fluids and particles, and their high-performance computational applications.
Astronomical phenomena have intrigued people for thousands of years and have motivated students and researchers to investigate the underlying astrophysical mechanisms. With the recent advances in observational techniques and computing capabilities, astrophysical research has reached an unprecedented era to investigate detailed mechanisms in high spatial and temporal resolution. We study young stellar objects and their formation processes using theoretical, computational, and observational methods. For more details, please visit our group site: CHARMS Group Page.
My group is also developing high-performance computing codes from first principles. Please visit the CompAS group page.
Theoretical and Computational Astrophysics: Clouds, Collapse, Jets/Winds/Outflows; Protoplanetary and Circumplanetary Disks; Magnetic Field; Astrochemistry; please see CHARMS.
Origins of Solar Systems: Meteorites, Planetary Materias, CAIs, Chondrules, and Isotopes; please see AstroLab.
Numerical Methods: High-Performance Computing, GPU; Machine Learning/Artificial Intelligence; Visualization; please see CompAS.
The PI has obtained significant results in advancing the understanding of the earliest phases of Solar System formation, development of numerical codes in hydrodynamics, magnetohydrodynamics, and general-relativity particle-in-cell method, and experimental studies of most primitive chondritic meteorites.
Ph.D., Astronomy, UC Berkeley (1998)
Job Description
Probing Star Forming Processes in Action
Astronomical phenomena have intrigued people for thousands of years and have motivated students and researchers to investigate the underlying astrophysical mechanisms. With the recent advances in observational techniques and computing capabilities, astrophysical research has reached an unprecedented era to investigate detailed mechanisms in high spatial and temporal resolution. We study young stellar objects and their formation processes using theoretical, computational, and observational methods.
For more details, please visit our group site: CHARMS Group Page.
We look for highly-motivated students strongly interested in learning numerical methods and tools, code development techniques, and their applications to star formation problems under active investigation. The students will have hands-on experience in code development, numerical simulation, modeling, or observational diagnostic comparisons.
Preferred Intern Education Level
Ideal candidates are advanced college students in one or more of the following disciplines: Astronomy and Astrophysics, Physics, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Computer Science, or Engineering Disciplines. Students in master's or PhD programs are especially encouraged. Proficiency in English communication, reading, and writing is required.
Skill sets or Qualities
Good knowledge of programming languages such as Python, C/C++, or Fortran.
Advanced background in college-level physics, chemistry, applied mathematics, or numerical methods. Knowledge of plotting or interactive visualization software is a plus.
Job Description
Explorations of Numerical Codes and Solvers in Astrophysical Systems 2025
We develop hydrodynamic and magnetohydrodynamic codes and solvers for astrophysical problems in the ASIAA CompAS project. We invite students to explore and validate state-of-the-art numerical codes and solvers made with fundamental numerical methods and physics under active development. These codes and solvers range from the Newtonian to General Relativistic regimes occurring from young stars to black holes. The students will obtain hands-on experience testing the accuracy and performance of numerical methods for HD, MHD, and particle problems for their validation and benchmarks. We look for highly motivated students interested in numerical methods, code development techniques, their science verifications, potential applications, and explorations and utilization of machine learning/AI approaches. Actual projects will be assigned commensurate with students' academic background, preparation, and readiness. The experiences obtained will prove very helpful in future career development in science, engineering, computing, astronomy, and astrophysics.
Student Opportunity: Explorations of Numerical Codes and Solvers in Astrophysical Systems
The **ASIAA Computational Astrophysics (CompAS) Project** invites applications for an exciting student opportunity to explore and validate cutting-edge numerical codes and solvers designed for astrophysical systems. This program offers hands-on experience in computational astrophysics, focusing on hydrodynamics (HD), magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), and particle-based simulations, spanning Newtonian to General Relativistic regimes.
You will
- Work with state-of-the-art numerical methods and physics-based solvers under active development.
- Engage in projects covering astrophysical phenomena such as young stars, black holes, and plasma physics.
- Test and benchmark the performance of advanced numerical methods for HD, MHD, and particle problems.
- Explore emerging fields such as machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) applications in computational astrophysics.
- Tailored project assignments based on academic background and readiness.
You will
–Gain valuable numerical methods, code development, and scientific verification skills.
– Build a strong foundation for science, engineering, computing, or astrophysics research careers.
– Collaborate with leading scientists at ASIAA.
Preferred Intern Education Level
Fourth year in college or above, master's or beginning PhD students are welcome
Skill sets or Qualities
--Required advanced college-level physics and mathematics, fluid mechanics, astrophysics, or computer science
--Knowledge of computational methods, algorithms, software,
--Familiarity with machine learning, and AI, is strongly preferred.
– Proficiency in Python, C/C++, or Fortran.
– Strong knowledge of interactive plotting or visualization tools
– A strong ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English is required.
Job Description
Magnetospheres around black holes and neutron stars
When a star has consumed most of its nuclear fuel, it eventually reaches a point in its evolution where the outward radiation pressure due to nuclear fusions can no longer support the gravitational pull. If the collapsing stellar core has a mass exceeding (approximately) three solar groups, the degenerate pressure of neutrons can no longer keep its gravitational collapse, leaving a black hole (BH) as an end product of stellar evolution. In addition to these stellar-mass BHs, there are much heavier BHs in the center of galaxies and globular clusters. For example, the Milky Way galaxy has a supermassive BH whose mass attains 4 million solar masses.
The student will learn the basic skills of black hole research, specifically general relativity, plasma physics, and numerical simulations. Depending on the academic and technical backgrounds of the student, she/he can get to touch on one or more of the following : how electron-positron pair plasmas are created, accelerated, and radiate emissions in BH magnetospheres; GR MHD simulations of physical processes around blackholes; compare numerical simulations or analytic theories with the blackhole multiwavelength observations; plasma physics around neutron stars; pulsar physics; learn to build visualization tools for simulations.
Preferred Intern Education Level
Advanced undergraduate level or above in Physics, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Computer Science, or any Engineering discipline, with a college-level background in applied mathematics or mathematical methods. Proficiency in English communication, reading, and writing is required.
Skill sets or Qualities
Advanced skills in applied mathematics, computer programing in C/C++, Python, and visualization packages.
Job Description
Ready to hold a piece of the early Solar System in your hands? The AstroLab project invites passionate students to explore the fascinating world of extraterrestrial materials through cutting-edge research techniques in our consortium of laboratory instruments.
You will be able to:
- Examine pristine samples from the dawn of our Solar System
- Study presolar grains that predate our Sun
- Investigate the plethora of planetary materials
- Work with state-of-the-art analytical equipment
- Master experimental protocols and analysis
- Develop new techniques for sample analysis
- Sample preparation and handling of precious extraterrestrial materials
- Data analysis and interpretation
Our cross-disciplinary approach combines planetary materials with astrophysics, offering you a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of planetary science. You'll contribute to groundbreaking research that reveals the conditions present in forming our Solar System.
Join us in decoding the cosmic messages locked within these ancient space travelers. Together, we'll unveil the secrets of our cosmic origins, one grain at a time.
The students will need to be willing to work on lab work, data analysis, or modeling. It is desirable for the students to be willing to continue beyond the duration of IIPP to take the assigned project to completion.
Preferred Intern Education Level
We need the students to have completed the first two years of college with backgrounds in Physics, Chemistry, Astronomy, and Earth Sciences.
Skill sets or Qualities
We welcome students with solid backgrounds in:
Physics, Chemistry, Astronomy, Earth Sciences