About me

I am a postdoctoral researcher at the Astronomisches Rechen-Institut, Zentrum für Astronomie, Heidelberg University. I use direct N-body simulations and high-performance computing to study star clusters, planetary systems, debris discs, and compact stellar systems over long timescales.

My current work covers the DRAGON simulation series, planetary systems in star clusters, and NBODY6++GPU development. Most of it comes back to one question: what changes when planets, discs, stars, and compact objects evolve inside a crowded stellar system?

What I'm doing

  • Star cluster dynamics

    Direct N-body modelling of globular clusters, nuclear star clusters, and open clusters.

  • Planetary systems

    Dynamical stability of planets, debris discs, comets, and host-star orbits in dense stellar environments.

  • High performance computing

    GPU-accelerated astrophysical simulations, large simulation analysis, and reproducible research workflows.

  • Scientific software

    Open-source development and code administration for NBODY6++GPU and related simulation tools.

Career

Work experience

  1. Postdoctoral Researcher

    Astronomisches Rechen-Institut, Zentrum für Astronomie, Heidelberg University

    Heidelberg, Germany (2024 - Dec. 2026)
    Work with apl. Prof. Rainer Spurzem on computational stellar dynamics and million-body N-body simulations.

Education

  1. PhD in Mathematical Sciences

    University of Liverpool

    Liverpool, UK (2019 - 2024)
    Full-scholarship PhD student in the Department of Mathematical Sciences, School of Physical Sciences; off-site at XJTLU.
    Supervisor: Prof. M. B. N. Kouwenhoven.

  2. Bachelor of Science in Physics

    Nankai University, Boling Program

    Tianjin, China (2015 - 2019)
    The Boling Program is part of the Everest Plan of the Chinese Ministry of Education.

Skills

  1. Programming for research

    Python, SciPy, NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib, Seaborn, Plotly, multiprocessing, Linux, Bash, Docker, C/C++, Fortran, and LaTeX.

  2. Supercomputing and simulation data

    Four years of supercomputing experience across GPU and CPU systems, including JUWELS, LUMI, Dongfang, Silkroad, and Heidelberg's Kepler cluster; analysis of 30+ TB simulation datasets.

  3. Open-source project management

    Code administrator of the NBODY6++GPU repository since 2022, supporting version control, CI/CD test workflows, pull requests, issues, and documentation.

Scientific work