Computational Astrophysics Research Group


The computational astrophysics research group at IASTU primarily focuses on two areas: protoplanetary disks and planet formation, and plasma astrophysics, mostly by means of numerical simulations using various tools (primarily Athena++ MHD code). On the former, we study many aspects of gas dynamics in protoplanetary disks, as well as implications to observations and planet formation theory. On the latter, we study accretion disks, particle acceleration, cosmic-ray feedback, and dilute plasmas. Besides utilizing existing infrastructure including those we have built in the past, some group members also work on additional code (and algorithm) developments to build up more tools, opening up new windows and research opportunities.

Faculty

Xuening Bai (2017.9-, professor): protoplanetary disks and planet formation, plasma astrophysics
Zhuo Chen (2023.3-, associate research professor): radiation hydro, binary evolution, planet formation

Postdocs

Qiang Hou (2026.7-)
Josh Calcino (2023.12-, w/C. Ormel)
Shoji Mori (2023.11-, w/C. Ormel)

Graduate Students

Xinyu Zheng (2020.9-, w/N. van der Marel): ionization chemistry/disk wind signatures
Yang Ni (2022.9-, w/H. Deng): GI in protoplanetary and AGN disks
Tianhao Li (2023.9-): gas dynamics of inner protoplanetary disks
Zhishuo Qu (2024.9-): cosmic-ray gyro-resonant instabilities
Jing Yang (2024.9-, w/Z. Chen): dust evolution and circumplanetary disks
Zehao Su (2025.9-): early protoplanetary disk simulations
Zhenghao Xu (2026.9-, w/D. Lin): embedded planets/stars

Undergrad Students

Wentao Lu (2026.6-)
Zimo Cheng (2026.6-)
Tiaoyao Wang (2026.4-, Fudan Univ. UGS)
Zisen Dai (2024.12-): CR ionization in protoplanetary disk wind

Former students

Zitao Hu (2020-2026, PhD; now at industry)
Xihui Zhao (2020-2026, PhD; now at industry)
Shengtang Wang (2019-2026, PhD; now at industry)
Guanfu Liu (2022-2025, GS;)
Xiaochen Sun (2018-2023, PhD; now postdoc at Columbia Univ.)
Haiyang Wang (2020-2023, Fudan UGS/gap year; now GS at Caltech)
Hanpu Liu (2022-2023, PKU UGS; now GS at Princeton Univ.)
Shuzhe Zeng (2021-2024, UGS; now GS at Univ. of Maryland)
Can Cui (2018-2022, SHAO GS; now faculty at Nanjing Univ.)
Chris Bambic (2019-2021, Princeton GS w/E. Ostriker; now postdoc at Geogia Tech)
Ziyan Xu (2014-2022, PKU UGS/GS; now Marie Curie Fellow at Copenhagen)
Zhanbo Zhang (2018-2019, PKU UGS/gap year; now at industry)
Jiani Ye (2014-2016, SHAO GS;)
Rui Xu (2014-2018, PKU UGS/Princeton GS; now at industry)

Former postdocs

Weixiao Wang (2022-2025; now postdoc at Milan)
Pinghui Huang (2019-2022; now faculty at PMO)
Yuhiko Aoyama (2019-2022, Shuimu scholar; now faculty at SYSU)
Haifeng Yang (2018-2021, CN Yang Fellow; now faculty at Zhejiang Univ.)
Prasun Dhang (2019-2021; now postdoc at Cambridge)

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