About
Dr Lu Heng Sunny Yu is a Teaching Fellow and the Outreach and Schools Liaison for Mathematical Sciences at the University of Southampton.
Sunny Yu is a Mathematician and Theoretical Physicist. He is interested in many areas of mathematics and theoretical physics, with current particular focus on Quantum gravity. His current reserach includes nonperturbative methods in quantum gravity and quantum field theory, and the subsequent implications on cosmology and the universe.
Sunny has also a strong passion in Mathematics and Physics teaching and education. In addition to his research and teaching, Sunny also works on various aspect of Outreach, communications, and educational research for Mathematical Sciences.
Research
Research groups
Research interests
- Quantum gravity, Quantum field theory, Relativity, Gravity and Cosmology
- Mathematics and Physics Education
Current research
Lu Heng Sunny’s research interests include the mathematics and foundational side of theoretical physics, with specific interest in Quantum Gravity and Cosmology. Sunny is also very interested in the pedagogical aspects of mathematics and physics curricula, education and communication.
Theoretical Physics:
On the foundational theoretical physics side, Sunny’s interest includes relativity, cosmology, quantum field theory (QFT) and quantum gravity. In particular, his research focuses on using nonperturbative methods in quantum field theory, and apply them to solve the common issues associated with quantum gravity. Most recently, Sunny studies how quantum gravity can create physical and measurable cosmological implications to the universe.
Mathematics and Physics Education:
On the education side, Sunny have always been passionate about communicating the wonders of mathematics and physics learning to a wide range of audiences. Sunny has worked extensively with students of all ages in the past. Sunny is dedicated to make mathematics- and physics-learning more accessible, to inspire and to help students who struggles to gain confidence in navigating these difficult subjects, and to popularise these subjects that are often perceived as difficult and challenging. In his current research, Sunny is involved in developing teaching methods and principles that achieve these goals.
Education and Technology:
Most recently, Sunny has also been excited about exploring the best and most appropriate ways to bring in technology to mathematics education. The goal is to implement technology in a way that enhances the students’ learning-experiences and teachers’ teaching-experiences, yet preserves and not loose the essence and many benefits of traditional mathematics education. This includes developing technology that can assist with teachers’ teaching-experiences such as grading, and complementing students’ learning-experiences with active practices and community-learning.
Publications
Teaching
Mathematics for Electronics & Electrical Engineering
Mathematical Methods For Physical Scientists
Math Methods for Scientist
Previous:
General Relativity
Quantum Field Theory
Quantum Mechanics
Dynamics and Relativity
Multivariable Calculus
Biography
Academic Roles:
Teaching Fellow and Outreach and Schools Liaison,
University of Southampton
Lecturer,
University of California, Irvine
Teaching Associate,
University of California, Irvine
Teaching Assistant,
University of California, Irvine
Academic Background:
PhD Theoretical Physics,
University of California, Irvine
MS Physics,
University of California, Irvine
Master (Part III) Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics,
University of Cambridge
BSc Mathematics and Physics,
University College London (UCL)