Comparative –> Population-Level Exoplanet Atmospheres
Hello! I’m Yiwei Chai, a PhD student at Johns Hopkins University. I study exoplanets and their systems using a variety of observational methods. I am interested in using comparative studies to place planets into context, particularly as we move towards tackling population-level questions about the nature of other worlds in our Galaxy.
My current projects involve the atmospheric characterisation of a multiple sub-Neptune system with JWST, and the development of end-to-end simulations to predict transiting exoplanet atmosphere science yields for the upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. I also occasionally dabble in the spectroscopy of young directly-imaged giant planets.
Previously, I have investigated the dynamical interactions and spectral composition of a debris disk-brown dwarf system using JWST’s MIRI MRS (paper here), and tested ways to quantify model comparison for exoplanet atmospheres through Bayesian evidence calibration.
You can view my CV here (current as of 3/3/26).
When I’m not doing research, I enjoy reading novels, ice skating, rock climbing, and catering to the whims of my cats, Ozzie and Oolong.
This site is a work-in-progress, so stay tuned for further details!