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About

Xiaowei Sun is a leading astronomical instrumentation scientist whose work has been pivotal in advancing high-resolution spectroscopy and multi-object survey capabilities. Her primary research areas include the design and construction of cutting-edge spectrographs for world-class observatories, with a focus on enabling precision radial velocity measurements and large-scale galactic surveys. Sun’s most notable contribution is her central role in the development of HARPS3, a high-resolution echelle spectrograph (R≈115,000) for the roboticized Isaac Newton Telescope, which is designed to achieve ultra-stable radial velocity precision for exoplanet detection and stellar characterization—a paper that has garnered 34 citations. She has also been instrumental in the MOONS instrument for the Very Large Telescope, a next-generation multi-object spectrograph that combines the VLT’s 8-meter collecting power with 1,000 optical fibers, enabling simultaneous spectroscopy of thousands of galaxies and stars. This work, following its final design review, has earned 17 citations and represents a major leap in survey efficiency. Sun’s achievements reflect her ability to translate complex engineering challenges into operational instruments that expand the frontiers of observational astrophysics.