Michael Zhang

Michael Zhang is a 51 Pegasi b Fellow at the University of Chicago, conducting pioneering research on exoplanet atmospheric evolution using the W.M. Keck Observatory, Hubble Space Telescope, and James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). His work focuses on observing mini Neptunes (2-4 Earth radii) in the process of losing hydrogen-helium atmospheres to transform into super Earths (1.6-1.75 Earth radii), addressing the fundamental 'radius valley' gap in exoplanet populations.

Dr. Zhang earned his Ph.D. in astronomy from the California Institute of Technology in Winter 2022, followed by a postdoctoral appointment at Caltech prior to his current fellowship. His research methodology combines multi-observatory data collection across diverse planetary parameters (age, mass, radius, orbital period) with advanced theoretical modeling to decode atmospheric escape physics.

Current projects include expanding the mini Neptune observational database using Keck telescopes, targeting unexplored exoplanets with Magellan telescopes in Chile, and probing sub-Earth atmospheres with JWST. This integrated approach aims to establish definitive patterns linking planetary characteristics to evolutionary pathways.

Recognized with the prestigious 51 Pegasi b Fellowship from the Heising-Simons Foundation in 2022, Dr. Zhang's work represents cutting-edge observational exoplanet science. His discoveries of two mini Neptunes actively undergoing atmospheric loss provide critical empirical evidence for planetary transformation theories.

As a postdoctoral research fellow, Dr. Zhang operates within major international observatory collaborations without formal advisees. His research is exclusively supported by the 51 Pegasi b Fellowship, facilitating access to world-class telescope facilities across multiple continents.

Dr. Zhang's work positions him at the forefront of exoplanet characterization, leveraging next-generation instrumentation to unravel how planetary systems evolve from their primordial states to their current architectures.