Metallicity Gradients Across Cosmic Time
Spatially resolved gas-phase metallicity from grism spectroscopy, tracing how galaxies assemble from the local Universe to z ≈ 9.
Key papers: Li et al. 2025, ApJS
Zihao Li
PhD Candidate in Astrophysics
Cosmic Dawn Center (DAWN) · Niels Bohr Institute · University of Copenhagen
About Me
I am a PhD candidate at the Cosmic Dawn Center (DAWN), Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, working with Lise Christensen and Koki Kakiichi. I study the chemical enrichment of galaxies across cosmic time, from metallicity gradients at cosmic noon to metal-poor galaxies and first-star signatures near the end of reionization.
At DAWN, I work on the data reduction of JWST NIRCam and NIRISS wide-field slitless spectroscopy, and study the chemical enrichemnt of high redshift galaxies and cosmic reionization. I received my M.Sc. in Astronomy from Tsinghua University, advised by Zheng Cai, and my B.Sc. with honors in Aerospace Engineering from Sichuan University.
Research Interests
Metal Enrichment in the Reionization Era
JWST ASPIRE/EIGER spectroscopy combined with chemical evolution models to study metal enrichment, environmental effects, and possible first-star (Pop III) imprints at z ≈ 5–7.
Key papers: Li et al. 2025, A&A; Li et al. 2026, arXiv
JWST Wide-Field Slitless Spectroscopy
Data reduction and analysis of JWST NIRCam/NIRISS WFSS for the COSMOS-3D survey, including spatially resolved kinematics of a lensed z = 8.34 disk candidate.
Key papers: Li et al. 2023, arXiv
Galaxies in Overdense Environments and the IGM
How protocluster environments shape galaxy chemistry at cosmic noon, and mapping the intergalactic medium with Lyα forest tomography.
Key papers: Li et al. 2022, ApJL; Wang et al. 2022, ApJ; Li et al. 2021, ApJ
Publications
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CV
Ph.D. in Astronomy
University of Copenhagen, Denmark
M.Sc. in Astronomy
Tsinghua University, China
B.Sc. in Aerospace Engineering
Sichuan University, China
Awards & Honors
- Cosmic Dawn Center PhD Fellowship, University of Copenhagen, 2024-2027
- MITACS Research Fellow, University of Victoria, 2020
Technical Skills
- Data Analysis
- Data Visualization
- Pipeline Development
Contact
- zihao.li@nbi.ku.dk
- Institution
- Cosmic Dawn Center (DAWN), Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen
- Office
- 02.2.I.112, Niels Bohr Building, Jagtvej 155A, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
For collaborations, conversations, or questions, feel free to reach out.