Wayne Hu
The University of Chicago
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Primary Section: 13, Physics Secondary Section: 12, Astronomy Membership Type:
Member
(elected 2016)
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Biosketch
Wayne Hu is a cosmological physicist and astrophysicist recognized for his work on the origin and evolution of structure in the Universe. He is known particularly for work on the cosmic microwave background, baryon acoustic oscillations and dark energy. Hu was born in NJ, graduated from Princeton University with an AB in physics in 1990, and received his PhD in physics from UC Berkeley in 1995. He was a long term member at the Institute for Advanced Study before joining the faculty of the University of Chicago in 2000 where he is currently the Horace B. Horton professor. He was an Alfred P. Sloan and Packard Fellow and is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Research Interests
Wayne Hu's interest include understanding the matter-energy constituents of the universe and the physics of cosmic acceleration at the two ends of time. Inflation at the earliest epochs is thought to give rise to all of the structure in the universe whereas dark energy at the present is driving a new period of cosmic acceleration. These phenomena represent exotic negative-pressure energy components beyond the standard model of physics, modifications of gravity or both. Hu studies their physical nature through the cosmic microwave background, baryon acoustic oscillations, gravitational lensing, clusters of galaxies and dark matter halos.
