Kin Wah Wu - Astronomy

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Zainab Fayyaz

Ms

21/08/2004

AC811

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+85260404892

Room 1336c, PolyU Student Halls of Residence (Ho Man Tin), 15 Fat Kwong St, Lo Lung Hang
Kowloon
Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Laureate Forum represents a transformative opportunity to engage with the world’s foremost scientific minds—an experience critical to my growth as a researcher and science communicator. My upcoming research at Western University, analyzing JWST data on the Orion Nebula’s PAH emissions, seeks to decode the chemical and physical processes of star-forming regions. Participation in this forum would allow me to refine this work through direct discussions with laureates, gaining insights that can only come from pioneers who have shaped modern astrophysics.

Beyond research, I am committed to democratizing astronomy. Having taught students across Hong Kong and authored an A grade IB essay on cosmic expansion, I recognize the power of mentorship in inspiring future scientists. The forum’s interdisciplinary environment is unparalleled—it is where groundbreaking ideas converge, and where I can learn to better articulate complex science to diverse audiences.

This opportunity is not merely beneficial but essential. Engaging with laureates and peers will elevate the rigor of my work, while the forum’s collaborative spirit will strengthen my ability to bridge research and public outreach. I aim to bring back cutting-edge knowledge to my students and colleagues, fostering a culture of curiosity.

Undergraduate

Astronomy, Astrophysics, Physics

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong

My research focuses on unraveling the mysteries of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Orion Nebula using groundbreaking James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) data. As part of the Radiative Feedback of Massive Stars Early Release Science (ERS) program, I will analyze the 6–9 μm PAH emission bands to decode how young, massive stars shape their birth clouds—environments akin to our own Solar System’s nursery. By applying principal component analysis (PCA) in Python, I will isolate distinct PAH subcomponents, map their spatial distributions, and correlate them with physical conditions like temperature and density in the Orion Bar.

This work bridges astrophysics and astrochemistry, leveraging the NASA Ames PAH Database to interpret spectral features and uncover how stellar radiation alters molecular chemistry. Beyond raw data analysis, I aim to contextualize findings within existing PAH studies, refining our understanding of photodissociation regions (PDRs). My research includes developing Python tools, maintaining a GitHub repository for collaborative transparency, and presenting results to the research team.