In the same vein as research, the processes of teaching and mentoring also call for innovative approaches. Within our laboratory, we are devising strategies to enhance the overall learning and educational experience. The following section contains a selection of concise notes and articles, and we will continue to regularly update and broaden the scope of this content.

• Bozhi’s teaching and mentoring statement (November 2020). This is a shortened version.

 

• Quiet brainstorming, expecting the unexpected. We propose a set of three critical ‘‘E’’ processes—extract, expose, and evaluate—for an individual researcher to replicate team brainstorming.

 

• Transdisciplinary thinking. This was presented by Bozhi in a group meeting in January 2021.

 

• Three elements of the Ph.D. research. This was presented by Bozhi to the first-year graduate students of the department in September 2021.

 

• Elastic and plastic. How can we use mechanics to guide our work/life balance and personal success?

 

• Work/life balance. Some simple graphics for understanding work/life balance and how that would affect our performance. This was presented by Bozhi in a group meeting in April 2022.

 

• Materials-enabled synthetic reality. Using transdisciplinary thinking, how can we visualize our vision? Presented on Apr 20, 2022.

 

• Storytelling framework. This can be used for a farewell party as well! Presented on May 12, 2022.

 

• Messages to lab members who are starting their new endeavors. Communicated through email in May 2022.

 

• Advice on careers, finance, and life from Harvard Business School’s Class of 1963. Forwarded to the lab in Jan 2023.

 

• Exploring leadership for graduate students. Presented to the first-year graduate students in the Chemistry department on Feb. 20, 2023.

 

• The Buckingham Pi ‘Life’ theorem. Communicated through email on May 20, 2023.

 

• Envy and Jealousy. Presented in the group meeting on May 26, 2023.