About

I am currently a PhD student at the Department of Physics at The Chinese University of Hong Kong(CUHK), focusing on astronomy. My current research primarily involves the development of new astronomical instrumentation to enhance our understanding of the Milky Way through integral-field spectroscopy survey. Prior to my doctoral studies, I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of California Santa Barbara(UCSB), where I conducted research on nearby galaxies using the Keck Telescope's KCWI. I have also previously worked on projects related to supernovae, black holes, and the big bang theory.

Education

The Chinese University of Hong Kong
PhD in Physics
Aug 2023 - Present

University of California Santa Barbara
B.S. in Physics with a Minor in Music
Sep 2019 - Mar 2023

Research Experience

Visiting Scholar, Beijing Planetarium, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, 2023

Research Intern, National Astronomical Observatories of China, 2019

Predoctoral Fellow, Institute for Theory and Computation, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, 2018

Student Researcher, Department of Physics, Tsinghua University, 2016-2018

Professional Services

Selector, RISE Scholarship, Schmidt Futures, Rhodes Trust, 2022-present

Judge, Scientific Review Committee, Regeneron Sichuan Science Fair, 2021-present

Admission Interviewer, United World College China Selection Committee, 2020-present

Judge, Chinese National Astronomical Olympiad, 2023

Session Chair, American Astronomical Society 241st Meeting, 2023

Awards

American Astronomical Society Committee on the Status of Minorities in Astronomy Micro-Grant, 2022

Beijing Mayor's Award for Young Scientist, 2018

Finalist, Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, 2018

First Award, The Awarding Program for Future Scientists, 2017

Bronze Medal, The 10th International Earth Science Olympiad, 2016

Bronze Medal, The 20th International Astronomy Olympiad, 2015

Bronze Medal, The 12th International Junior Science, Olympiad, 2015

Gold*2 Silver*2 Bronze*3 Medals, Chinese National Astronomical Olympiad, 2010-2017

Publications

Peng, Zixuan, Crystal L. Martin, Pierre Thibodeaux, Jichen Zhang, Weida Hu, and Yuan Li. “Using KCWI to Explore the Chemical Inhomogeneities and Evolution of J1044+0353.” The Astrophysical Journal 954, no. 2 (September 2023): 214. https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ace9c0.

Zhang, Jichen. “Using KCWI to Disclose the Star Formation History of a Nearby Dwarf Galaxy J1044+0353.” In American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts, 55:277.09. American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts, 2023.

Rui, Liming, Wenxiong Li, Zhihao Chen, Danfeng Xiang, Xiaofeng Wang, Tianmeng Zhang, Jichen Zhang, et al. “Spectroscopic Classification of MASTER OT J081506.13+381123.3 as a Type Ia Supernova.” The Astronomer’s Telegram 9984 (January 2017): 1.

Zhang, Jichen, and Xiuhai Zhang. Steam ironing brush. China National Intellectual Property Administration CN203065853U, filed July 10, 2012, and issued July 17, 2013.

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