My Ph.D. research focuses on the kinematics (how objects move) and dynamics (how motions change) of the interstellar gas across multiple physical scales – from molecular clouds to galaxy disks, and across cosmic time – from the Milky Way to early galaxies. I am also interested in the physics of the interstellar medium, which is essential for proper interpretations of the observations. You may refer to my ORCID for my publications.
I have extensive experience in reducing and analyzing radio, millimeter, and sub-millimeter observations from both single dish telescopes and interferometers.
Ongoing works
Cold gas kinematics of high redshift massive galaxies
I am currently collaborating with Dr. Federico Lelli at the Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory (INAF) in Florence, Italy. Our TRICEPS project studies the cold gas dynamics of massive galaxies at redshift $z=4-5$ using ALMA, VLA, and JWST observations.
We aim to understand how galaxies form and evolve in the early Universe, when the Universe was less than 10% of its current age.
Manuscript submitted. Stay tuned!
Multi-wavelength atlas
Rotating disk modeling
Interative: Can a merger mimic a rotating disk?
A coherent velocity gradient in a spectral cube does not uniquely demonstrate circular rotation. Two interacting components can blend spatially and spectrally, producing disk-like moment maps, position–velocity diagrams, and an apparently high $V_{\rm rot}/\sigma$. Use the controls below to explore how beam smearing and the components’ velocity separation affect this degeneracy.
HI fraction of the Galactic outer disk molecular clouds
The HI narrow line self-absorption (HINSA) provides a powerful method for measuring the HI content in molecular clouds. Together with molecular gas observations, we are attempting to measure the HI/H2 fraction of low metallicity molecular clouds in the Galactic outer disk.
Analysis in progress
Published works
Inadequate turbulent support in low-metallicity molecular clouds
The dynamic properties of molecular clouds are governed by self-gravity, turbulence, external pressure, and magnetic fields. Using optically thin $^{13}$CO observations of low-metallicity molecular clouds in the Galactic outer disk, we find that cloud virial parameters decrease with metallicity, suggesting that turbulence alone cannot support clouds against gravity.
Highlight:
Evidence for metallicity-dependent star formation initial conditions.
Implication:
Understanding star formation in the low-metallicity early Universe.
Status:
Published in Nature Astronomy. Read the paper
Gas dynamics of an AGN-host galaxy at cosmic noon
We present ALMA [CI] (2–1) observations of PKS 0529–549, a starburst radio galaxy at $z\simeq2.6$. We reveal a rotation-supported gas disk with $V_{\rm rot}/\sigma_{\rm v} = 6\pm3$ and visible non-circular motions.
Highlight:
A dynamically cold gas disk in an AGN-host starburst galaxy.
Implication:
Early galaxy disks can remain dynamically cold in extreme conditions.
Status:
Published in Astronomy & Astrophysics. Read the paper
Code development
FAST data calibration
- A Python-based pipeline for FAST data reduction (geared towards the Drift Scan mode). Github
HINSA identification
- A Python implementation of the second-derivative method (Krčo et al. 2008) and MCMC. Github
Other interests
- The Galactic High Velocity Clouds
- SNR IC 443
- …