Yongao Hu

Yongao Hu

Education

Perimeter Institute & University of Waterloo Expected Jun 2027

M.Sc. in Physics (Perimeter Scholars International)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sep 2022 – May 2026

B.S. in Physics & Mathematics with Minor in Philosophy

  • GPA: 5.0/5.0
  • Physics: Quantum Field Theory (I–III) [G], Supersymmetric QFT [G], String Theory & Holographic Duality [G], General Relativity [G], Statistical Mechanics [G], Particle Physics [G], Astrophysics [G]
  • Mathematics: Intro to Algebraic Geometry, Set Theory & Logic, Algebra
  • Other: Fundamentals of Programming, Topics in Philosophy, Kant's Critique of Pure Reason

Research Experience

Visiting Researcher University of Hamburg May 2024 – Apr 2026

Advisor: Dr. Thore Posske

  • Investigating middle-of-spectrum degeneracy in strongly interacting spin systems.
  • Proposing representation-theoretic structure for a previously unaccounted degenerate subspace.
  • Coding a numerical solver for the highly nonlinear Bethe Ansatz Equation to verify the hypothesis.
  • Applying representation theory to understand the spectrum of the Heisenberg spin chain.

Undergraduate Researcher Department of Physics, MIT Jan 2025 – Dec 2025

Advisor: Prof. Hong Liu

  • Studying algebraic QFT and quantum gravity, focusing on the proofs of quantum null energy conditions.
  • Calculating the behavior of coherent and squeezed states to test the assumptions in the proofs.
  • Expanding the validity of the proofs using functional analysis of unbounded operators.

Undergraduate Researcher Department of Physics, MIT Sep 2023 – Dec 2025

Advisor: Prof. Tracy Slatyer

  • Updating the constraints of the dark matter models that explain the Galactic Center Excess.
  • Conducting up to one-loop QFT calculation of the hypercharge portal and the two-Higgs-doublet model.
  • Simulating collider searches using MadGraph, PYTHIA, and Delphes.
  • Demonstrating that there is still available parameter space for the dark matter models.

Undergraduate Researcher Department of Physics, MIT Feb 2023 – May 2024

Advisor: Prof. Mark Vogelsberger

  • Analyzed morphologies of early galaxies using cosmological simulations and large datasets.
  • Compared size–mass evolution of high-z galaxies in THESAN simulations with early JWST observations.

Undergraduate Researcher Department of Chemistry, MIT Sep 2022 – Jan 2024

Advisor: Prof. Troy Van Voorhis

  • Optimized catalysts for hydrogen fuel cells using molecular DFT simulations and minimization algorithms.

Publications & Works in Progress

Yongao Hu, Felix Gerken, and Thore Posske. Hidden Twisted Sectors and Exponential Degeneracy in Root-of-Unity XXZ Heisenberg Chains (2026). Submitted to: Physical Review Research. arXiv:2602.15098 [cond-mat.stat-mech]

Yongao Hu, Cari Cesarotti, and Tracy R. Slatyer. Testing Viability of Benchmark Dark Matter Models for the Galactic Center Excess. JHEP 04 (2026) 134. DOI:10.1007/JHEP05(2026)134, arXiv:2509.08043 [hep-ph]

Xuejian Shen, Mark Vogelsberger, Josh Borrow, Yongao Hu, et al. The THESAN Project: Galaxy Sizes During the Epoch of Reionization. MNRAS 534 (2), 1433–1458, 2024. DOI:10.1093/mnras/stae2156, arXiv:2402.08717 [astro-ph]

Talks

Hidden Twisted Sectors & Exponential Degeneracy in XXZ Chains Budapest Integrability Seminar (online) Mar 2026

Awards & Honors

Perimeter Scholars International (PSI) FellowshipPerimeter InstituteSep 2026

Order of the Lepton AwardMIT PhysicsMay 2026

Phi Beta Kappa InducteeXi of Massachusetts ChapterMay 2026

Sigma Pi Sigma InducteeNational Physics Honors SocietyMay 2026

Rhodes Scholarship FinalistOct 2025

Burchard Scholars ProgramMITJan 2025

  • Selected as a top MIT scholar in humanities, arts, and social sciences for academic breadth.

HackMITMITSep 2023, Oct 2022

  • Won sponsor prizes for AI and blockchain prototypes in MIT’s annual hackathon.

Lee Kuan Yew Award for Mathematics & SciencesSingaporeAug 2020

  • Singapore’s national STEM award for top pre-university students in mathematics and science.

International Chemistry OlympiadJul 2019

  • Gold Medalist (14th worldwide) among global competitors.

International Young Physicists' TournamentJul 2018

  • Championship team in pre-university international physics research & debate tournament.

Teaching Experience

Grader & Physics MentorDepartment of Physics, MITSep 2023 – Spring 2026

  • Grader: Quantum Field Theory I (Spring 2026), Statistical Mechanics (Spring 2025, Spring 2026), Classical Mechanics II (Winter 2026), Special Relativity (Fall 2025), Quantum Mechanics II (Fall 2023, Fall 2024, Fall 2025).
  • Lead Physics Mentor: Electromagnetism (Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Fall 2025), Quantum Mechanics II (Fall 2025), Quantum Mechanics I (Spring 2025), Special Relativity (Fall 2024).
  • Seminar Organizer & Educator: QFT, Motives, and Noncommutative Geometry Seminar (Fall 2025).

Global Teaching Lab EducatorMIT Global Teaching LabJan 2025 – Winter 2026

  • Taught physics at Shoqan High School in Almaty, Kazakhstan (Winter 2026).
  • Organized and taught quantum mechanics workshops to 100+ high school students in South Africa & Botswana (Winter 2025).

Leadership & Service

Social ChairMIT International Student AssociationSep 2023 – Sep 2025

  • Organized formals, Boston area inter-college mixers, and the International Fair with participation from 50+ clubs.

International Orientation CoordinatorMITMay 2024 – Aug 2025

  • Planned and led a two-year orientation program for 140+ international students, fostering academic, social, and cultural integration.

Associate AdvisorMITAug 2023 – May 2024

  • Guided first-year students on course selection and personal development.

Election Commission OfficerUndergraduate Association, MITAug 2023 – May 2024

  • Organized student government elections, ensuring a fair and transparent voting process.

CorporalSingapore Armed ForcesMay 2020 – May 2022

  • Analyzed army-wide logistics data and handled customer relations, earning formation-wide commendations.

Technical Skills

Hobbies