Publications: ADS | arXiv | inSPIRE

Research Fields:

• Cosmology
• Extragalactic Astronomy & Astrophysics
• Galactic Astronomy & Astrophysics

Hsiao-Wen Chen's research interests broadly cover issues concerning formation and evolution of galaxies across cosmic time. The principal goal of her research is to understand the astrophysics that regulates star formation and galaxy growth. Her expertise lies in absorption-line spectroscopy of distant light sources (Quasars/gamma-ray burst afterglows) to probe the unseen matter around luminous galaxies, and in combining absorption-line observations with galaxy survey data to understand the recycling of baryonic matter between star-forming regions and dark intergalactic medium.

Past Postdocs: Christopher Thom (2006-2009), Yuko Kakazu (2011-2012)

Past Students: Jean-Rene Gauthier (PhD 2011), Yun-Hsin Huang (Master 2015), Jennifer Helsby (2008-2009), Taweewat Somboonpanyakul (2014-2015), Sean Johnson (PhD 2016)

Current Students: Fakhri Zahedy

Member of Research Groups:

• Leader, Hsiao-Wen Chen's Group

Past Graduate Students: Maya Fishbach (2020, Astronomy and Astrophysics); Fakhri Zahedy (2019, Astronomy and Astrophysics); Sean Johnson (2016, Astronomy and Astrophysics); Jean-Rene Gauthier (2011, Astronomy and Astrophysics)

Past courses:

• [ASTR 23900] Physics of Galaxies: 2019 - 2020 (Spring); 2018 - 2019 (Spring); 2017 - 2018 (Autumn)
• [ASTR 24100] The Physics of Stars: 2014 - 2015 (Autumn); 2012 - 2013 (Autumn); 2011 - 2012 (Autumn); 2010 - 2011 (Autumn); 2007 - 2008 (Autumn); 2006 - 2007 (Autumn)
• [ASTR 28200] Current Topics in Astrophysics: 2008 - 2009 (Spring)
• [ASTR 30300] Interstellar Matter: 2020 - 2021 (Autumn); 2019 - 2020 (Winter); 2018 - 2019 (Winter); 2017 - 2018 (Winter); 2016 - 2017 (Winter)
• [ASTR 30700] Preparation for Summer Research Project: 2006 - 2007 (Spring)
• [ASTR 30900] Research Project Seminar: 2007 - 2008 (Autumn)
• [ASTR 31300] Extragalactic Astronomy: 2015 - 2016 (Autumn); 2012 - 2013 (Spring); 2011 - 2012 (Spring)
• [ASTR 34000] Statistical Methods in Astronomy and Astrophysics: 2009 - 2010 (Spring)
• [ASTR 40100] Practical Data Analysis: 2016 - 2017 (Autumn)
• [ASTR 41600] Intergalactic Medium: 2008 - 2009 (Autumn); 2005 - 2006 (Autumn)
• [ASTR 41800] Intergalactic Medium: 2013 - 2014 (Spring); 2011 - 2012 (Spring)
• [ASTR 47300] Distant Galaxies: 2015 - 2016 (Winter)
• [ASTR 48000] Current Topics in Astrophysics: 2009 - 2010 (Winter)
• [ASTR 49900] Graduate Research Seminar: 2020 - 2021 (Spring); 2014 - 2015 (Spring); 2013 - 2014 (Winter)

Past Department Committees:

• Fellowship: 2021 - 2022 (Chair)
• Graduate Mentors: 2018 - 2019
• Magellan Council Representative: 2018 - 2019
• Representative to Magellan SAC: 2018 - 2019
• Stone Edge Observatory: 2018 - 2019
• Diversity: 2017 - 2018 | 2016 - 2017
• Brinson Lectureship: 2016 - 2017 (Chair) | 2015 - 2016 | 2008 - 2009
• Search Committee: 2014 - 2015 (Chair) | 2013 - 2014 (Chair)
• Adler Planetarium Committee: 2013 - 2014 (Chair) | 2012 - 2013 | 2011 - 2012
• Colloquia: 2018 - 2019 | 2017 - 2018 | 2014 - 2015 | 2013 - 2014 | 2006 - 2007
• Giant Magellan Telescope - Chicago: 2018 - 2019 | 2017 - 2018 | 2016 - 2017 | 2015 - 2016 | 2014 - 2015 | 2013 - 2014
• Time Allocation: 2021 - 2022 | 2020 - 2021 | 2019 - 2020 | 2018 - 2019 | 2017 - 2018 | 2016 - 2017 | 2015 - 2016 | 2014 - 2015 | 2013 - 2014 (Chair) | 2012 - 2013 (Chair) | 2009 - 2010
• Graduate Admissions: 2017 - 2018 | 2011 - 2012 (Chair) | 2010 - 2011 | 2008 - 2009 | 2007 - 2008 (Chair) | 2006 - 2007 | 2005 - 2006