Education Overview
One of the most important motivations for me to pursue an academic career is the variety of opportunities to teach and mentor students and help them to become the next generation of scientists and engineers in chemistry and related fields. I firmly believe that student's success is the most important, satisfying product out of L2EC. It has been an extremely fruitful journey to learn and grow with students. At Utah State University, I have taught nine different courses at both undergraduate and graduate student levels and successfully fulfilled the teaching responsibilities for the inorganic chemistry division and beyond in our department. In addition, I have developed a highly diverse, productive mentorship program, which is closely integrated with my group research program. In my group, we uphold a diverse, inclusive working environment where every member receives equal, unbiased treatments for opportunities, respect, and recognition regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, and sexual orientation. |
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Teaching
Undergraduate courses:
Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry (Chem 331, Spring 2019 and Spring 2020),
Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry Lab (Chem 3320, Spring 2019 and Spring 2020)
Advanced Synthetic Laboratory (Chem 5530, Spring 2017 and Spring 2018),
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (Chem 5520, Fall 2017 and Fall 2019),
Research Problems (Chem 4800, Fall 2016 and Spring 2018),
Graduate courses:
Reactivity and Mechanisms in Inorganic Chemistry (Chem 6500, Fall 2015 and Fall 2017)
Electrochemistry and Electrochemical Systems (Chem 7530, Fall 2016 and Fall 2020),
Chemical Applications of Group Theory (Chem 6510 for graduate students, Spring 2020).
Graduate Student Seminar (Chem 7800 for graduate students, Spring semesters from 2016 to 2020)
Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry (Chem 331, Spring 2019 and Spring 2020),
Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry Lab (Chem 3320, Spring 2019 and Spring 2020)
Advanced Synthetic Laboratory (Chem 5530, Spring 2017 and Spring 2018),
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (Chem 5520, Fall 2017 and Fall 2019),
Research Problems (Chem 4800, Fall 2016 and Spring 2018),
Graduate courses:
Reactivity and Mechanisms in Inorganic Chemistry (Chem 6500, Fall 2015 and Fall 2017)
Electrochemistry and Electrochemical Systems (Chem 7530, Fall 2016 and Fall 2020),
Chemical Applications of Group Theory (Chem 6510 for graduate students, Spring 2020).
Graduate Student Seminar (Chem 7800 for graduate students, Spring semesters from 2016 to 2020)
Outreach
Developing a renewable energy-driven economy is crucial to the sustainable development of the United States. Particularly, Utah is among the top three states with the most abundant solar energy resources; it also has plentiful wind energy. As addressed in Utah’s 10-Year Energy Plan, Utah’s State government is committed to increased utilization of renewable energy and the development of relevant energy technologies. Our group's integrated research and education program will build the necessary talent pool for the next generation of scientists and engineers to work in the critically important and emerging field of renewable energy technologies.
Leveraging our research expertise in the educational context, we have been developing educational programs serving the broader communities throughout the entire State of Utah and offering research opportunities to all level students. Since joining USU, the PI has been actively involved in outreach programs, including (i) USU Eastern Blanding Native American Summer Mentorship Program (NASMP), (ii) USU STARS! Program, and (iii) Summer Undergraduate Research Internship. Program (i) focuses on attracting and training Native American students who are underrepresented in STEM disciplines. Program (ii) motivates high school students' interest and curiosity in science, creating the next generation of leaders in science and technology development. Program (iii) provides intensive research experience to undergraduate students that are from other Utah state colleges through a competitive fellowship. In addition, we have been actively participating local and regional science fairs including science demo and acting as volunteer judges.
Leveraging our research expertise in the educational context, we have been developing educational programs serving the broader communities throughout the entire State of Utah and offering research opportunities to all level students. Since joining USU, the PI has been actively involved in outreach programs, including (i) USU Eastern Blanding Native American Summer Mentorship Program (NASMP), (ii) USU STARS! Program, and (iii) Summer Undergraduate Research Internship. Program (i) focuses on attracting and training Native American students who are underrepresented in STEM disciplines. Program (ii) motivates high school students' interest and curiosity in science, creating the next generation of leaders in science and technology development. Program (iii) provides intensive research experience to undergraduate students that are from other Utah state colleges through a competitive fellowship. In addition, we have been actively participating local and regional science fairs including science demo and acting as volunteer judges.
USU Eastern Blanding Native American Summer Mentorship Program (NASMP)
USU Eastern Blanding is a two-year campus located 30 miles north of the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation. A majority (~60%) of their 612 students are Native American. These students face significant challenges in pursuing opportunities in higher education, as only 12% of the reservation’s entire adult population has a Bachelor’s degree. To enhance these students’ exposure to STEM fields and career possibilities, USU has hosted this growing 4-week campus-wide NASMP for 4 years, bringing a total of 30 students to campus in 2017. This program includes safety training, lab tours, mentored research, and group meetings, and concludes with a student-led poster session. Historically, the PI’s group has led lab tours and safety training for the participants. We have hosted NASMP students to experience one-week hands-on cutting-edge battery research activities.
USU STARS! Program
In the USU STARS! program, selected K11/12 high school students to join a research lab at USU to conduct a one-semester research project aligning with their own interests. In the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, participating students receive professional safety trainings, and are involved in project design, hands-on research, and scientific writing. By the end of the program, these students submit a written report summarizing their projects and present a poster to compete in regional and statewide science fairs.