W.L. Kimmy Wu

W.L. Kimmy Wu is a Visiting Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), within the Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy. She holds a B.S. from the University of Michigan (2008) and a Ph.D. from Stanford University (2015). Her research focuses on observational cosmology, leveraging large-scale surveys and CMB data to study the early universe, gravitational lensing, and deviations from the ΛCDM model. Key areas include delensing techniques, primordial gravitational waves, and machine learning applications in cosmology.

Education:

• B.S., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 2008
• Ph.D., Stanford University, 2015

Research Interests:

Dr. Wu’s work centers on testing cosmological models using CMB polarization data from experiments like SPT-3G and BICEP/Keck. She develops statistical methods and machine learning tools to extract cosmological information from large datasets. Specific topics include:

• Primordial gravitational wave constraints via B-mode polarization
• CMB lensing reconstruction and delensing to reduce sample variance
• Probing ΛCDM tensions (e.g., H0, σ8) using SPT-3G and cross-correlation with optical surveys like DES
• Machine learning for foreground cleaning and optimal estimator development
• Reionization studies using kinematic SZ effect and line intensity mapping

Recent Research Trends: Her articles emphasize advancing CMB-S4 capabilities, calibrating cluster masses, and exploring new physics beyond standard cosmology. Collaborations include SPT-3G, BICEP/Keck, and DES projects.

Labs/Teams: Active in the South Pole Telescope (SPT), BICEP/Keck Array, and CMB-S4 initiatives. Engaged in interdisciplinary efforts combining astrophysics and machine learning.