Assistant Professor at Kapteyn Astronomical Institute

My research is all about galaxies! I develop machine learning and AI algorithms to investigate how galaxies are formed and transformed in our unique Universe.

About
Profile
Dr Ting-Yun (Sunny) Cheng - Astrophysicist & Machine Learner

As an Astrophysicist, my research explores (i) galaxy structures across cosmic time, (ii) how galaxies are like in the metal-poor environments and (iii) what mechanisms transform the structures and physical properties of galaxies. I try to answer these questions using large-scale survey data including several millions of galaxies, and data collected from individual telescopes!

As a Machine Learner, I am specialised at a variety of machine learning and AI techniques to accelerate and improve the analyses of the enormous inflow of astronomical datasets. In addition to the improvement of accuracy and efficiency to astronomical analyses, I am keen to understand what machines interpret images and spectra of galaxies, and to use this knowledge to bring new insights.

Taiwan

PhD in Physics

University of Nottingham

(United Kingdom)

2017–2020

Postdoctoral Researcher

Durham University

(United Kingdom)

2020–2025

Editorial Board

ASCOM Journal (Elsevier)

2024–Present

Assistant Professor

Kapteyn Institute
University of Groningen

(Netherlands)

2025–Present
BgImage
Moon-dark Moon
Galaxy x AI Lab

The Galaxy x AI Lab dedicates to advancing our understanding of galaxies through state-of-the-art machine learning and artificial intelligence (ML/AI) methodologies. Our research focuses on two complementary pillars: (1) Toolkit Development, enhancing and modernising traditional methodologies with ML/AI techniques, and (2) Science Investigation, applying these methods to large-scale datasets to reveal the underlying processes governing galaxy formation and transformation.

WB

W. Brink

MSc student
Kapteyn, RuG (2026)

Spectra Generation
Bayesian Variance
Generative Model
Convolutional Networks

FF

F. Fransen

BSc student
Kapteyn, RuG (2026)

SB Fluctuation
LSB Galaxies
Convolutional Networks

MM

M. Mihai

BSc student
Kapteyn, RuG (2026)

Metal-poor Galaxies
Convolutional Networks

PR

P. Ródenas-Risueño

BSc student
Kapteyn, RuG (2026)

Galaxy Merger
Unsupervised Learning
Bayesian Variance

SB

S. Bendigeri

BSc student
Kapteyn, RuG (2026)

SB Fluctuation
LSB Galaxies
Convolutional Networks

SD

S. Drost

BSc student
Kapteyn, RuG (2026)

Galaxy Metallicity
Ionised Elements
Convolutional Networks

    MSc Projects
  • - S. Howie: Galaxy Morphology • Unsupervised Learning, Generative Model, PCA | Durham University, 2023-2024 | The MSc project was published on MNRAS (2025), "Deciphering galaxy images using machine vision – combining variational autoencoder and principal component analysis for feature extraction"
    - G. Renton: Bar formation • Supervised Learning, Feature Importance | Durham University, 2023-2024
    - V. Desai: Galaxy Dark Matter Halo • Supervised Learning, Convolutional Networks | Durham University, 2022-2023
    - T. Hehir: Gravitaional Lensing • Generative Model, Bayesian Variance | Durham University, 2022-2023
    - S. William: Galaxy Spectra Generation • Generative Model, Supervised Learning, Bayesian Variance | Durham University, 2021-2022
    - A. Lowe: Metal-poor Galaxies, Hii Region • Supervised Learning, Convolutional Networks | Durham University, 2021-2022

    • BSc Projects
  • - A. Leikola: Dwarf Galaxies, Stellar Mass • Supervised ML, Convolutional Networks | University of Groningen, 2025

Information construction in progress.

Research

Working in Progress!

Lecture & Tutorial

Working in Progress!

Science Communication
Community Engagement / Project
  • Art Commission for Ogden Centre West | Durham University (2024-2025)
  • Planetarium Show | Durham University (2023-2025)
  • Science Festival | Durham University (2023-2025)
  • Durham Astronomy Girl’s Day | Durham University (2023-2025)
  • Eyes to the Sky Project | Ogden Centre & County Durham (2022-2023)
  • Digital Art & Astronomy Project, Ogden@20 | Ogden Centre & Durham University (2022)
Universe Creator Arcade Galaxy Maker Poster Observatory Talk Planetarium Celebrate Science in Durham Outreach Setup

Kapteyn Astronomical Institute
Landleven 12, 9747 AD
Groningen, The Netherlands