Mu-Chun Chen
, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Irvine
Research Focus
Research Interests
About Mu-Chun
I am a theoretical particle physicist studying the properties of elementary particles, which are the fundamental building blocks of the universe. Among all the elementary particles, neutrino, one of the most abundant ones in the universe, is my muse, as it provides a window into what happened in the early universe a fraction of a second right after the Big Bang.
I educate and mentor students, both through teaching and research, to help them reach their full potential. I also work to improve equity, diversity, and inclusion both in my university campus and in the broader community.
My work has been driven by the quest to understand how the Universe works at the most fundamental level and my belief that we are all equal and that the community can prosper only when everyone of its members has equal access to education and opportunities.
Honors
2020 - UC Irvine Inclusive Excellence Spirit Award
2019 - Department of Physics and Astronomy Undergraduate Teaching Award, UC Irvine (Selected by the graduating class of Physics and Astronomy students as the faculty member who most inspired them in their undergraduate studies)
2019 - School of Physical Sciences Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education, UC Irvine
2019 - UC Irvine Dr. De Gallow Professor of the Year Award nominee
2015 - Carl Friedrich von Siemens Fellowship, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
2015 - Humboldt Research Fellowship, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
2012 - School of Physical Sciences Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education, UC Irvine
2010 - Faculty Career Development Award, UC Irvine
2009 - Erice Fellowship, Ettore Majorana Foundation and Centre for Scientific Culture
2008 - Most Valuable Referee for Physics Letters B, Elsevier
Education
Postdoc
Theoretical High Energy Physics, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratoy, 09/2005 - 10/2006
Theoretical High Energy Physics, Brookhaven National Laboratory, 09/2002 - 08/2005
Ph.D.
Physics, University of Colorado Boulder, 06/2002
Master's
University of Colorado Boulder
Bachelor's
Physics, National Taiwan University, 06/1996
