bio

A few things about my name: I typically go by my English middle name (you can call me Frank or Franklin), and this is the name I publish under. However, my Chinese name is Wang Zhilong (王稚龙, pronounced wong-juh-long). My emails will be addressed from ‘Zhilong Wang’, and I am more than happy to be called by my Chinese name too!

Before moving to the United States, I grew up in Sai Kung (西貢), a seaside district in Hong Kong. I’m an identical triplet: there are two genetic copies of me living in Wisconsin and Tennessee!

My first couple of years in the U.S was spent in Champaign, Illinois: I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Astronomy from the University of Illinois (I-L-L!). I was a member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity, and served as its philanthropy chair, recruitment chair, and chapter president. In addition to my social fraternity, I played wing on the Illinois Men’s Rugby Club during my freshman and sophomore years, and volunteered with the Epsilon Eta environmental honors fraternity.

Since moving to College Station, I’ve become more involved in astronomy-related outreach programs. I am currently the primary organizer for our local Astronomy on Tap, where I have given a few talks. I also volunteer for Texas A&M’s annual Physics Festival, correspond with high school students through the Adopt-a-Physicist program, and teach summer undergraduate researchers at A&M how to use Python. Lastly, I also served as a coordinator for the MAGIC (Mentoring and Advising Graduates in an Inclusive Community) program, which aims to help first-year PhD students transition into life as a graduate student.

Asides from astronomy, I enjoy skateboarding, hiking, skiing, Illini and Aggie football/basketball, the Chicago Bears, and the St. Louis Cardinals.