About Me.

My name is Xiaorui Lu (鲁小瑞). I recently graduated from Brown University with a Master’s in Physics, where I conducted research under the guidance of Prof. Jonathan Pober. Prior to that, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Astrophysics from the University of California, Santa Cruz. I grew up in Lanzhou, a city in northwest China famous for its hand-pulled noodles. Some of my earliest memories involve looking up at the night sky during visits to my grandmother’s home in the countryside, sparking a curiosity about the universe that has stayed with me ever since. From those early days of stargazing to now using advanced technology to explore the cosmos, the journey has been incredible.

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Throughout my academic journey, both at UCSC and Brown, I’ve gained valuable experience in data analysis, programming, and working with both optical and radio telescopes for observational research. My research has focused on using the 21-cm line as a tool to study the Epoch of Reionization (EOR), an important period in the early universe when the first stars and galaxies formed. By improving techniques for detecting and mitigating radio frequency interference (RFI), I hope to contribute to a better understanding of the early universe.

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Alongside my research, I find great joy in sharing astronomy with others—whether through organizing stargazing events or teaching people how to use telescopes. There’s something truly special about making the night sky come alive and helping different audiences connect with the cosmos.