Research Summary
Yao-Yuan Mao's research answers key questions about the nature of dark matter, galaxy formation physics, and the uniqueness of our own Milky Way. In particular, Yao uses astronomical surveys and numerical simulations to study low-mass galaxies in the nearby Universe, modeling the relation between these galaxies and their host dark matter halos to learn about the underlying cosmic structures.
Education
- Ph.D., Physics, Stanford University
- B.S., Physics, National Taiwan University
Biography
Yao-Yuan Mao is an astrophysicist studying low-mass galaxies and their connection to dark matter using astronomical surveys and numerical simulations. Yao joined the University of Utah as an Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy in July 2022. Before joining the U, Yao conducted postdoctoral research at Rutgers University as a NASA Einstein Fellow, and at the University of Pittsburgh as a PITT PACC Langley Fellow. Yao received their Ph.D. in Physics from Stanford University in 2016, and B.S. in Physics from National Taiwan University in 2009. Yao was born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan. Yao is the current maintainer of Astronomy and Astrophysics Outlist.
Name in native alphabet
茅耀元