In one word, I study stars. More specifically, I specialize in modeling stellar and binary evolution, asteroseismology, and tidal physics in binary systems. I have contributed to our understanding of stars as a core developer of two widely used public codes: GYRE (an open-source stellar oscillations code) and POSYDON (a single and binary-star population synthesis code). I am also a long-term user of MESA (an open-source stellar evolution code) for modeling stars.

I have published articles on a variety of projects spanning diverse topics—from exoplanets to massive stars, and from young stars to evolved stars and compact objects.

In my free time, I enjoy driving (the US Midwest is the best - no debate :)), hiking, and photography. Feel free to check out my Flickr album for more pictures https://www.flickr.com/photos/125208081@N03/

Work:

2025.1 ~ now -- Associate Professor, the National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC), Beijing, China

2021.9 ~ 2024.12 -- Postdoc, CIERA Fellow, CIERA, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA

Main collaborator: Vicky Kalogera

2018.9 ~ 2021.8 -- Postdoc, Department of Astronomy, University of Wisconsin Madison, WI, USA

Main collaborator: Rich Townsend and Bob Mathieu

Education:

2012.8 ~ 2018.6 -- Ph.D in Astronomy, Department of Astronomy, University of Virginia, VA, USA

Ph.D Thesis: Pulsating White Dwarfs and Orbital Decay in Binaries

Adivsor: Phil Arras

2008.9 ~ 2012.6 -- B.S. in Physics, Wuyuzhang Honorary College, College of Physics, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China

Undergraduate Thesis Advisor: Lilin Zhu

Publication list:

https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/user/libraries/2iixJZrrR0ys2Q6_d38Tyw

Person website:

https://sunmeng1118.wixsite.com/mysite

Work email:

sunmeng_at_nao.cas.cn