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Dong Lai is a theoretical and computational astrophysicist, holding a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from Cornell University, awarded in 1994. After completing his Ph.D., he was a prize postdoctoral fellow at Caltech from 1994 to 1997 and subsequently joined the Astronomy faculty at Cornell in 1997. His research significantly contributes to understanding the physical processes of compact objects, including black holes, neutron stars, and white dwarfs, as well as the quantum electrodynamics effects in radiation from magnetic neutron stars. His work also addresses the origin of pulsar kicks, gravitational wave sources, and accretion disks around magnetic stars and compact objects. Lai's pivotal research interests encompass compact objects and their dynamics, the astrophysics of exoplanets—specifically their formation and the dynamics of protoplanetary disks—as well as astrophysical fluid dynamics including disks and celestial mechanics. Over the course of his career, Lai has received significant accolades, such as the Sloan Fellowship and the Simons Fellowship, in addition to graduate teaching and mentoring awards from Cornell University. In 2024, he was honored with the Dirk Brouwer Award from the American Astronomical Society, regarded as the highest international recognition in dynamical astronomy.
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