Tommy Chi Ho Lau ?

Currently a postdoc in Diana Powell's group at UChicago

How I started astrophysics

I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) with a double major in Physics and Geology, where I conducted research on orbital dynamics. I then stayed at HKU for an MPhil, focusing on planet formation models with the Solar System in mind. For my PhD in Munich, I integrated dust evolution into disk models to investigate the timing and location of planetesimal formation. In January 2025, I joined the University of Chicago as a postdoctoral researcher, where I continue to develop theories and models of planet formation.

Research interests and publications

Unified planet formation model

Formation of multiple dynamical classes in the Kuiper belt via disk dissipation
TCH Lau, T Birnstiel, SM Stammler, J Drążkowska (2025) ApJ
Planetesimal formation in a pressure bump induced by infall
H Zhao, TCH Lau, T Birnstiel, SM Stammler, J Drążkowska (2025) A&A
Sequential giant planet formation initiated by disc substructure - Press release - Animations
TCH Lau, T Birnstiel, J Drążkowska, SM Stammler (2024) A&A
Rapid formation of massive planetary cores in a pressure bump - A&A Award for Outstanding PhD Article 2026
TCH Lau, J Drążkowska, SM Stammler, T Birnstiel, CP Dullemon (2022) A&A

Dynamical planet formation models

Giant planet formation in the solar system
A Raorane, R Brasser, S Matsumura, TCH Lau, MH Lee, A Bouvier (2024) Icarus
Can the giant planets of the Solar System form via pebble accretion in a smooth protoplanetary disc?
TCH Lau, MH Lee, R Brasser, S Matsumura (2024) A&A

N-body code

Parallelization of the Symplectic Massive Body Algorithm (SyMBA) N-body Code - GitHub repo
TCH Lau, MH Lee (2023) RNAAS

Other works

A tension between dust and gas radii: The role of substructures and external photoevaporation in protoplanetary disks
L Delussu, R Anania, T Birnstiel, C Toci, G Rosotti, SM Stammler, TCH Lau, A Miotello (2026) A&A