PROF’S SUPPORT, OPEN DOOR ENSURE STUDENTS’ RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

A student’s experience in their academic journey can go far beyond simply what exists in the curriculum of their degree program, especially if they have a professor as actively involved in multiple research areas as Dr. Jiang Lu.

“I believe I’m here to help students prepare for their future, and let them know what is going on in research areas so they can make their decisions,” he said. “Based on this, they can go into industry or go into graduate or even Ph.D. programs.”

He said many students came to the university thinking all they need to get their degree is to take some classes. “They don’t think doing research could be one of their goals,” he said. “But many times, when they do research, they are inspired to continue their education. They want to keep going forward.”

Lu, an associate professor of computer engineering in UHCL’s College of Science and Engineering, is an Anthony and Barbara Research Grant Fellow, has nine grants from XSEDE (Extreme Science and Engineering Discovery), a National Science Foundation grant, and about 50 more grant applications in the pipeline. His research areas include high performance computing, wellness and healthcare, and intelligent sensor systems.

“The NSF grant is researching the data science of energy transition,” Lu said. “We are working with several other universities in Texas. Houston is a hub of energy and together, we are researching the data science of energy transition so we can produce energy more efficiently and manage its production by using data science technology. We train undergraduate students to get into this industry, so when they graduate, they are already prepared to work in the field of energy transition.”

Lu said he used his research to help train both undergraduate and graduate students in a summer training camp. Then, students would team up to complete the research. “We receive data from companies who share with us and give us their data, and we ask the students to create analyses for the needed purpose,” he said. “Perhaps they need to build a model to predict the production of gas. It could be one of many things.”

Ultimately, Lu said it’s about making sure all students know that his door is open to them. “Whether they are graduate or undergraduate students, my policy is that if they have an idea, these ideas can become research projects. They can always come to my door. They can go to my research lab and I will find a place for them,” he said. “There is a way to do those projects. Those ideas can become published papers that can be used to take students to graduate school or into jobs. With the grant money, I can purchase hardware components needed to complete those projects.”

Whether it’s a big or small project, developed or not, Lu said the important thing was for students to share their ideas. “I’m willing to give students the opportunity to find a way to solve the research problem,” he said. “I can open a space and support them so they can achieve it.”

Many students at UHCL need extra motivation and time because they have part-time jobs, families and are packed with credit hours. “Students think they don’t have the time to do this, even if they have the interest,” he said. “They don’t know where the help is. I want them to know there is a door open for them here. Without support, it’s very hard to do good research. I’m willing to listen to all ideas and let’s see what we can do.”