Projects per year
Personal profile
Personal profile
Prof. Dr. M.B.N. (Thijs) Kouwenhoven (柯文采) is the Associate Dean for Research at the School of Mathematics and Physics at Xian Jiaotong-Liverpool University (2016-present). Thijs Kouwenhoven was born in the Netherlands, where he obtained is undergraduate degree from Leiden University (2002) and his PhD from the University of Amsterdam (2006), after which he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Sheffield (2006-2009). He was a research professor (百人计划研究员) at the Kavli Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics at Peking University (2009-2016). In 2016 he moved to Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), where he was the Head of Department of Physics from 2019 to 2026. His research focuses on computational astrophysics, primarily in the fields of planetary system dynamics, few-body systems, and star cluster dynamics.
Experience
2025-present: Associate Dean for Research, School of Mathematics and Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
2025-present: Acting Head of Department, Department of Pure Mathematics, School of Mathematics and Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
2022-present: UoL Independent Chair for XJTLU PGR viva voce, The Liverpool Doctoral College, University of Liverpool
2021-present: Professor, Department Physics, School of Mathematics and Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, China
2021-2022: Deputy Director, Centre for Mathematics and Physics, School of Science, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, China
2019-2026: Head of Department, Department of Physics, School of Mathematics and Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, China
2019-present: Honorary Associate in Mathematical Sciences, University of Liverpool, UK
2018-2021: Senior Associate Professor, Department of Physics, School of Science, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, China
2018-2019: Head of the Physics Division, Mathematics Sciences cluster, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, China
2016-2019: Honorary Teaching Staff in Mathematical Sciences, University of Liverpool, UK
2016-2018: Associate Professor, Department of Mathematical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, China
2009-2016: Bairen Reseach Professor (Hundred Talent Program) in Astrophysics, Kavli Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Peking University, China
2009-2011: Peter and Patricia Gruber Foundation (PPGF) Fellow, International Astronomical Union (IAU)
2006-2009: PPARC/STFC Research Associate, Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Sheffield, UK
Teaching
XJTLU - PHY003 - Introductory Electromagnetism and Quantum Physics
XJTLU - MTH015 - Linear Algebra (2022 - present)
XJTLU - PHY002 - Physics (2017 - 2018, 2022)
XJTLU - MTH017 - Linear Algebra for Mathematical Sciences (2016 - 2021)
XJTLU - MTH301 - Final Year Project (2016 - present)
XJTLU - SCI001 - Science Taster (2022)
XJTLU - PHY302 - General Relativity (2021)
XJTLU - PHY006 - Electromagnetism (2019 - 2020)
XJTLU - PHY004 - Classical Mechanics (2019 - 2020)
Peking University - Introduction to Astronomy (2009)
Peking University - Modern Astronomy (2010-2016)
Awards and honours
2013 Second Prize, Peking University 13th Young Teachers Contest
2012 Second Prize, Peking University 12th Young Teachers Contest
2012 Third Prize, Beijing Astronomical Society 11th Excellent Research Paper Award for Young Scientists
2012 Third Prize, Beijing Municipality University Young Teachers Contest
2012 Outstanding Young Scientist Award, Beijing Astronomical Society
2009 Gruber Fellowship Prize, International Astronomical Union
Education/Academic qualification
Ph.D. , Astronomical Institute Anton Pannekoek, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, - 2006
M.Sc , Leiden Observatory, University of Leiden, Leiden - 2002
Research areas
- Astrophysics
- Planetary science
- Astronomy
Keywords
- QB Astronomy
- Q Science (General)
- RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Person Types
- Staff
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
-
SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics where Thijs Kouwenhoven is active. These topic labels come from the works of this person. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
- 1 Similar Profiles
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
-
Dynamical evolution and binary properties of open clusters revealed by Gaia DR4
Pang, X. (PI), Ji, C. (Team member) & Kouwenhoven, T. (Team member)
1/01/26 → 31/12/29
Project: Governmental Research Project
-
Harnessing AI Agents to Enhance Supervision in STEM-related SURF Projects
Chen, X. (PI), Kouwenhoven, T. (CoI), Zhao, Y. (CoI), Tang, H. (CoI), Tramonte, D. (CoI) & Adorno de Freitas, T. C. (CoI)
1/11/25 → …
Project: Internal Research Project
-
Student-Centred and AI-Enhanced Videos: Bridging University Physics with Nobel Prize and Ig Nobel Prize Achievements
Chen, X. (PI), Kouwenhoven, T. (CoI), Zhao, Y. (CoI), Cui, W. (CoI), Pang, X. (CoI), Yu, H. (CoI), Tramonte, D. (CoI) & Reis, C. (Team member)
1/09/25 → …
Project: Internal Research Project
-
Use video demonstrations in physics courses
Zhao, Y. (PI), Yu, H. (CoI), Kouwenhoven, T. (CoI), Chen, X. (CoI) & Pang, X. (CoI)
1/11/23 → 31/08/24
Project: Internal Research Project
-
Using virtual experiment on students’ learning in the general physics lab
Zhao, Y. (PI), Ma, J. (CoI), Kouwenhoven, T. (CoI), Yu, H. (CoI), Liu, G. (CoI), Pang, X. (CoI) & Chen, X. (CoI)
1/02/22 → 31/01/25
Project: Internal Research Project
-
Category-based Galaxy Image Generation via Diffusion Models
Fan, X., Tang, H., Zeng, Y., Kouwenhoven, M. B. N. & Zeng, G., 1 May 2026, In: Astronomical Journal. 171, 5, 268.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Dynamical evolution of massless particles in star clusters with NBODY6++GPU-MASSLESS: II. the long-term evolution of free-floating comets
Flammini Dotti, F., Kouwenhoven, M. B. N., Wu, K., Askar, A., Berczik, P., Giersz, M., Spurzem, R. & Dobbs-Dixon, I., 1 Feb 2026, In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. 706, A219.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Scientometric analysis of neglected tropical disease research in Southeast Asia: insights for integrated disease control strategies
Ogaya, J. B., Ong, C. J. N., Ahmed, M. M., Solano, R. N. M., Ramos, J. S., Othman, Z. K., Alhammadi, O. A. S., Miranda, A. V., Okesanya, O. J., Musa, S. S., Wardak, M. F., Xu, L., Huang, J., Kouwenhoven, M. B. N. & Lucero-Prisno, D. E., Dec 2026, In: Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines. 12, 1, 13.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
The Velocity Dispersion Profile of Nine Open Clusters in the Solar Neighborhood
Ma, B., Pang, X., Banerjee, S., Ren, P. & Kouwenhoven, M. B. N., 10 Jan 2026, In: Astrophysical Journal. 996, 2, 112.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
2017 OF201的发现: 一颗心矮行星对第九行星架说的挑战
Translated title of the contribution :The discovery of 2017 OF201: A new dwarf planet, and a challenge to the Planet Nine hypothesis Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate
Activities
-
14th Silk Road Conference:
Kouwenhoven, T. (Organiser)
18 May 2026 → 22 May 2026Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Organising an event e.g. a conference, workshop, …
-
Climate Change: the Impact of the Sun, Geophysics, Atmospheric Physics, and Humanity
Kouwenhoven, T. (Speaker)
29 Aug 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Presentation at conference/workshop/seminar
-
Planetary Science - An Evolving Planet Earth, and Implications for Agriculture and Aquaculture
Kouwenhoven, T. (Speaker)
28 Aug 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Keynote Speech
-
1st Meeting of the Silk Road Astronomy Research and Education Alliance and 13th Silk Road Meeting (formerly Kazakhstan-China-Korea meeting)
Kouwenhoven, T. (Organiser)
23 Jun 2025 → 26 Jun 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Organising an event e.g. a conference, workshop, …
-
MODEST-25SPZ
Kouwenhoven, T. (Organiser)
19 May 2025 → 23 May 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Organising an event e.g. a conference, workshop, …