معرفی
Heejoo Choi serves as an Associate Research Professor at the Wyant College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, where she leads research in advanced optical systems for astronomical instrumentation. Her work focuses on optical metrology, telescope alignment, and space-based observatory design, with significant contributions to major projects including the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT), Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT), and Aspera SmallSat mission. She is actively involved with the Large Optics Fabrication and Testing Group and serves as a Faculty Advisor within the college.
Dr. Choi's research spans optical engineering for extreme environments, specializing in metrology techniques for large-scale telescopes and space instruments. Her expertise includes deflectometry systems, adaptive optics, contamination control for UV optics, and deployable telescope architectures. Current work emphasizes solving alignment challenges for segmented mirrors, developing vacuum-compatible testbeds for high-contrast imaging, and optimizing optical manufacturing processes for next-generation space telescopes. She has pioneered methods for static metrology of deformable structures and precision alignment of contamination-sensitive spectrographs.
Analysis of her recent publications reveals a concentrated focus on instrumentation for ultraviolet astronomy and space-based observatories. Her work demonstrates consistent innovation in optical testing methodologies, particularly for missions targeting cosmic gas halos and exoplanet detection. Key trends include the development of compact coronagraph testbeds, metrology solutions for inflatable space telescopes, and specialized calibration protocols for SmallSat missions operating in harsh space environments.
Dr. Choi leads research within the Large Optics Fabrication and Testing Group at the University of Arizona, where her team develops advanced metrology systems for ground-based and space telescopes. The group specializes in computer-controlled optical surfacing, deflectometry applications, and thermal-vacuum testing of membrane optics. Current projects include critical support for the Aspera mission's UV spectrograph development and alignment systems for the GMT's telescope metrology infrastructure.
