Although I am not a principal investigator (PI, aka Faculty), it doesn’t mean we can’t build things together. Some of these are materials science-related, some are education, and some are a mix. Broadly speaking:
- I care about your personal development and you should make sure our work supports this goal. Many projects below can be tailored to your specific interests.
- Some of this might be new science, but useful and impactful tools are my priority. If you enjoy building, join me to make an impact.
Below are some longer-term projects that I am thinking about, in no particular order of priority. These involve more extended conversations, 1+ quarters of weekly effort, and depending on the project and timing, we may be able to arrange some compensation for your efforts. If one of them sounds interesting to you, we can discuss it and see if it’s something we can pursue together. If you have your own ideas, I am also interested to know how I can support you.
Note: Given various constraints, the projects below are primarily meant for Stanford affiliates. But I am happy to chat generally about ideas with anyone!
Active interests
Pedagogy-focused
| Title | Impact | Methods | More info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peer instruction activities | Improving engagement and learning in a core UG course, MATSCI 142: Quantum Mechanics. | Content development | YouTube demo |
| Mastery learning | Giving student unlimited practice and self-paced assessments in ENGR 50: Introduction to MSE. Khan Academy for MSE. | Python scripting and content development in the PrairieLearn platform | Wikipedia page, PL demo |
| Materials informatics education | Understand how students view, use, and critique AI in MSE. | Education research, Python | Summer MI curriculum |
| Visual knowledge representation | Insights into conceptualization, understanding, communication of ideas. Affordances and challenges. | Education research, content development |
Science-focused
| Title | Impact | Methods | More info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grain boundary simulation tools | Expand the range of systems studied to elucidate GB effects in materials | GRIP tool, with Python, Linux shell, and atomistic simulations | |
| Segregation in advanced alloys | Leverage segregation to tune material properties for strengthening, embrittlement, etc. | GRIP tool, with Python and atomistic simulations | |
| GB database | Create the largest open-source resource for GB structures to accelerate materials discovery | GRIP tool and MPContribs, lots of Python | |
| Structural descriptors for GB phases | Automated and robust identification of unique phases in large GB datasets | Python and descriptors like SOAP, Steinhardt, etc. |
Broader areas
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Course development. This can take a variety of forms, either developing a new course, revamping an existing course, or creating separate learning modules. I am particularly interested in ideas that enhance accessibility and/or scalability.
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Curriculum support. This is different from the previous section because some enhancements aren’t course-specific, but rather the MSE program as a whole. These could include additional workshops, resource development, alumni engagement, etc.
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Recruitment and Community. These two things go hand in hand. You can’t just invite someone to the dance—you gotta dance with them too. We are always looking for ways to make sure our program is accessible to all students, and improve the student experience within the MSE community (same cohort, between years, UG-GR connection, etc.)
I want to conclude this section by saying that you can make an impact at any level, whether you’re a first-year undergraduate or fifth-year PhD student. I have personally worked on multiple projects, many self-driven, throughout my time at Stanford and Berkeley. Moreover, there are many other members of the Stanford MSE community, past and present, who have contributed to the success of the department. We look to you for the future. 🫵🏼