Mentoring

I believe that mentorship is one of the most important responsibilities of a scientist. My approach centers on supporting the whole person, not just the researcher and fostering a collaborative environment where curiosity, rigor, and mutual respect can thrive. Throughout my training at Indiana University and NYU, I have mentored undergraduate and graduate students, research technicians, and summer research trainees, many of whom have gone on to pursue advanced training and research careers. As I build my independent research program, I am committed to creating a lab culture where scientific excellence, collaboration, and genuine support go hand in hand.

Current and former trainees:

Lisheng Deng [ Ph.D. student, Neuroscience, University of Southern California]

Yu Geng [ Ph.D. student, Westlake University]

Deja Armstrong [Biomedical Sciences, Old Dominion University -NYU SURP 2025]

Shah Najib [ Undergraduate researcher, NYU Biology]

A young man in a black suit standing in front of a scientific research poster titled 'Investigating the Role of Ki126 in Regulating Retinoblastoma Mapping in the Drosophila Visual System' at an academic conference.
Two people engaged in discussion at a scientific research poster presentation. The woman is explaining her research to the man. The poster includes scientific diagrams and text.

Lisheng Deng presenting his research on retinotopic mapping in Drosophila at the Conference for Undergraduate Research in Biology, 2025.

Deja Armstrong presenting her research to Professor Claude Desplan at the NYU Summer Undergraduate Research Program, 2025.