1. Management Style:

I believe that everyone has something to offer and therefore my style of management is very participative. I like to set a clear goal and deadline and then let students decide the means to accomplish it. I meet you individually every week and we hold regular group meetings and journal clubs. I train you in professional writing and presentation skills through these meetings. This is my responsibility to prepare you for the next level in life, whether that is a Ph.D. (from a M.S.), a faculty position (from a Ph.D.), or a job in your chosen field.

2 Expectations of Graduate Students:

I expect you attend weekly meetings, finish assignments, and meet deadlines. I expect you to stay current on the literature related to your interest and to share with the rest of the research group.

If you are a Ph.D student then I expect that you published one first-author article (in addition to conference proceedings) per year and to continue to do so until you graduate. Upon conclusion of your doctoral process I expect that you will have at least 3-4 published articles from your dissertation. That is, a “staple the papers together” dissertation format is used in the group (please see the examples here and here.)

If you are a M.S. student I expect that by the time you graduate you would have published at least 1 journal article, 1 conference proceeding, and presented at one technical/professional conference. At least one article should come from your master’s thesis to receive a M.S. degree. Please note that I do not take MS non-thesis students.

We conduct most of the research during the summer since students do not need to go to classes. There is a total of 12 weeks in the summer, and everyone has a 3-week vacation. As a result, you will be hired as a summer researcher for 9 weeks. A pay-roll system will be setup once the summer approaches. Therefore, I do expect everyone engages in the 9-week summer research for a minimum 30 hours per week.

My overall attitude is that you should become GURU in your area. That means you should know it inside and out. You should know more than I know and not be afraid to challenge me or anyone else based on your knowledge of the literature.

Once you are in my research group, especially serving as a TA/RA, you are considered as a University employees, addition to your current role as graduate students. Therefore, when taking the day-off, I suggest you to follow the University Official Holidays. Please note that the academic calendar is only referred to course-related manners. This means that as a University employee you should adopt a 9-6 mentality. You each have a desk and should be at it as much as possible: BE VISIBLE. Moreover, if you need resources you should let me know. You should not sit by waiting on me to tell you what to do; you should take initiative and ownership of your work.

3 Academic Career Development:

3.1 Manuscripts:
The author list on all manuscripts is not finalized until the manuscript has been accepted for publication. The final author list will be determined by Dr. Huang in consultation with all involved group members based on the level of scientific contribution presented in the accepted manuscript. Members who have concerns about potential author lists should talk with Dr. Huang immediately.

3.2 Conferences:
All group members are expected to present their research at one scientific conference per year. Expenses for domestic conferences will be reimbursed (transportation, registration, meals and lodging).

3.3 Fellowships and Awards:
Students are encouraged to seek out and apply for fellowships and awards.

AHA: https://professional.heart.org/professional/ResearchPrograms/ApplicationInformation/UCM_316909_Application-Information.jsp

The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE): https://orise.orau.gov/stem/internships-fellowships-research-opportunities/

DoD: https://orise.orau.gov/stem/internships-fellowships-research-opportunities/programs-by-sponsor/dept-of-defense.html

ARL: https://www.orau.org/arlfellowship/

INL: https://www.inl.gov/inl-initiatives/education/graduate-fellowship-program/

4 Meeting:

4.1 Individual Meeting
Individual meetings are required throughout the semester (Fig. 1). The goal of the meeting is to present scientific reports, manuscripts, and etc. Additional individual meetings are required contingent upon the nature and the progress of the project(s). The document files should be sent to HSH at least 24 hours before the individual meeting (except meetings written in color blue).

4.2 Group Meeting and Presentation
Each graduate student is required to have two – three research presentations throughout one semester (Fig. 1). The content of the presentation should be a summary of your research method and finding. The presentation and associated files should be sent to HSH at least 24 hours before the scheduled presentation. Please use color ”white” as the background color for your presentation slides.

4.3 Journal Club
Each graduate student is required to have three 30-min journal club presentations throughout one (1) semester (Fig. 1). Each presentation should cover at least 2-3 journal articles that are related to your research topic.

Figure 1: Group and Individual Meeting Schedule.

5 Report Packet

One to two weeks after the last presentation (Fig. 1), it is required to turn in at least four files in your report packet: documents, data (if any), presentations, and the bibliography (in RefWorks or Endnote). Please keep in mind that everything goes into your dissertation/thesis/report that has to be publishable. Including literature review and all of other chapters.

6 Responsibility

It is each member’s responsibility to train the next person who takes on aspects of your project when you leave.

7 Recommendation on Courses:

As an engineer with interests in the field of Mechanics of Energy Materials or Mechanics of Biological Tissues, I think there are certain courses that each student should take. I have provided a list of required courses and some recommended courses.

7.1 Mechanics of Energy Materials Track:

7.2 Mechanics of Biological Tissues Track:

8 Graduate Students Evaluation:

I perform graduate student evaluation every semester: Fall, Spring, and Summer (in addition to the departmental requirement).

Student’s Name: _____________________________________

Date: _____________________________________

8.1 Overall Quality of Student’s Activities:

8.2 Dependability: Follows through on assignments and tasks, consistent effort.

8.3 Productivity:

Submit work for publication and presentation, attend scholarly events.

8.4 Professionalism:

Meets deadlines, punctual, demonstrates professional attitude.

8.5 Motivation:

Shows initiative, takes responsibility for work, sets and meets own research.

8.6 Interpersonal Skill:

Communicate effectively in written correspondence, communicate effectively in conversation, ability to give and receive constructive feedback.

8.7 Accomplishment

8.8 Expectation for Continued Participation (or Employment) in My Research Group

Signature of Student: ______________________________________________________

Signature of Advisor: ______________________________________________________