Chen-Yu Liu

Chen-Yu Liu is a Full Professor in the Physics Department and Nuclear Physics Laboratory at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). She holds a PhD from Princeton University (2002) and a B.S. from National Taiwan University (1997). Prior to UIUC, she was at Indiana University (2005–2022), where she was named the James H. Rudy Professor of Physics. Her research focuses on fundamental neutron physics, symmetry tests, and nucleosynthesis using ultracold neutrons (UCN).

Education:

• Ph.D., Physics, Princeton University, 2002
• B.S., Physics, National Taiwan University, 1997

Her groundbreaking work includes solving UCN loss issues in solid deuterium, leading to global investments in UCN facilities. She co-led the UCNtau experiment (2011–2016), setting neutron lifetime measurement records. She also secured NSF grants for neutron electric dipole moment experiments. Her honors include APS Fellowship (2018), Rosen Scholar (2016), and Sloan Research Fellowship (2007).

Research & Grants: Liu’s lab develops UCN-based tools for probing fundamental physics. Notable projects include the UCNtau collaboration, BL3, Project 8, and nEDM experiments. She has pioneered room-temperature apparatus for neutron electric dipole moment studies.

Labs/Teams: Her Liu Research Lab explores 'Where Do We Come From?' using UCN and precision measurements, addressing fundamental questions in particle physics and cosmology. The lab’s work aligns with the 2023 Long Range Plan for Nuclear Science.