Jason Wang

Jason Wang is an Assistant Professor of Physics & Astronomy at Northwestern University, affiliated with the Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics (CIERA). He joined Northwestern in Fall 2022 after completing a 51 Pegasi b Fellowship at Caltech. Wang leads the BOBA (Big planets: Or Bits & Atmospheres) Group, focusing on imaging gas giant planets through innovative instrumentation and algorithms in high-contrast imaging.

Wang earned his B.A. in Physics with a Minor in Computer Science from Cornell University and his PhD in Astrophysics from UC Berkeley. His doctoral work involved developing new techniques for precise exoplanet astrometry and orbit characterization.

Wang's research centers on exoplanet imaging through coronagraphy, interferometry, and spectroscopy to study planetary orbits and atmospheric properties. He specializes in developing new instruments and machine learning techniques to extract faint exoplanet signals from observational data. His work bridges observational astronomy, instrumentation, and computational methods to advance our understanding of planetary formation and evolution.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on high-contrast imaging techniques, exoplanet atmospheric characterization, and precise astrometry. Wang's work spans multiple observational platforms including the Keck Planet Imager and Characterizer (KPIC), the Gemini Planet Imager, and the VLTI/GRAVITY interferometer. His research shows a consistent progression toward higher precision measurements of exoplanet properties and orbits.

Wang has received prestigious awards including a Sloan Research Fellowship and a Scialog Fellowship for his contributions to exoplanet research. He was also awarded the 51 Pegasi b Fellowship at Caltech prior to joining Northwestern.

As an educator, Wang has developed and taught multiple courses including an introduction to astronomy for non-majors, planetary astrophysics, and graduate seminars. He co-founded the Code/Astro workshop, a software engineering bootcamp for astronomers that has trained over 200 participants worldwide. His mentoring extends to numerous graduate students, postdocs, and undergraduates through the BOBA Group.

Wang leads several major research initiatives including the Community Participation Program for the Roman Coronagraph Instrument, work with the GRAVITY interferometer, and the Keck Planet Imager and Characterizer project. His team has produced notable results including the first measurements of exoplanet spins and the creation of time-lapse movies showing exoplanet orbital motion.