Academic interests
I study the physics and chemistry of exoplanets.
We make efforts to understand the diversity of exoplanets, their composition, their formation, their evolution, by combining theoretical models and the data from various observational campaigns. In particular, we are interested in proving/disproving the existence of water worlds—planets composed of significant amount of water in our universe, and its implication on planetary habitability.
Publications in Google Scholar
Further information can be gleaned from my previous website: https://www.astrozeng.com/
Courses taught
- Head Teaching Fellow: Harvard University Undergraduate General Education Course: SPU (Science of the Physical Universe) 30: Life as a Planetary Phenomenon. Spring 2012
- Teaching Fellow: Harvard University Undergraduate General Education Course: SPU (Science of the Physical Universe) 30: Life as a Planetary Phenomenon. Spring 2011
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Background
Harvard University, PhD in Astronomy & Astrophysics, May 2015
Harvard University, AM in Astronomy & Astrophysics, May 2011
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Bachelor of Science in Physics, June 2009
Awards
- Jack C. Tang scholarship, MIT
- James Mills Pierce Fellowship, Harvard University
- Philip Putnam Chase Memorial Fellowship, Harvard University
Positions held
- Researcher (2026---), Centre for Planetary Habitability, PHAB, University of Oslo
- Research Associate (2018-2025), Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences, Harvard University
- Simons Postdoctoral Fellow (2015-2018), Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences, Harvard University