ABSTRACT
Dark matter is one of astrophysics' most tantalizing mysteries—shaping entire galaxies yet remaining invisible to our telescopes. Our understanding of the Universe has been revolutionized by large-scale surveys that precisely map the positions, brightnesses, and motions of billions of stars and galaxies. In this talk, I will summarize key astrophysical observations from modern cosmic surveys that constrain the fundamental physics of dark matter. I will highlight the significant progress achieved through past and ongoing surveys, and discuss how next-generation programs, particularly in near-field cosmology, will complement other experiments to deepen our understanding of dark matter's fundamental properties.
BIOGRAPHY
Ting Li is an Assistant Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Toronto whose research centers on studying the Milky Way and neighboring galaxies to shed light on the nature of dark matter. Born and raised in Shanghai, China, she earned a bachelor’s degree in physics with a minor in diplomacy from Fudan University, followed by an Erasmus Mundus Master’s in Space Science and Technology, and then a PhD at Texas A&M University. Li’s work combines vast astronomical survey data with observations on some of the world’s largest optical and infrared telescopes, revealing new insights into dark matter’s elusive properties. She has held several prestigious fellowships, including the Leon Lederman Fellowship at Fermilab and the NASA Hubble Fellowship Program Einstein Fellow, before joining the U of Toronto. Additionally, Li actively engages in the development of astronomical instruments and contributes to the infrastructure of groundbreaking sky surveys.
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