Jiaxin Liu, a Ph.D. Department of Materials Science and Engineering student advised by Dr. Eric Detsi, has been recognized with an Outstanding Teaching Award for her dedication to teaching, mentoring, and supporting student growth.
The award reflects Liu’s work over the past two years as a teaching assistant for electrochemical engineering courses, including MSE 4550 and 5550, as well as her mentorship of master’s and undergraduate students in the laboratory. For Liu, teaching is not only about helping students understand technical concepts. It is also about guiding them through the process of becoming more confident, capable researchers.
“I enjoy the process of training and mentoring students,” Liu said. “It is rewarding to see them become better at experiments and to see them grow.”
Originally from Heilongjiang Province in northeastern China, Liu completed her undergraduate studies at Tianjin University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in applied chemistry through the school of chemical engineering and technology. Her academic path eventually led her to graduate research in electrochemical materials and battery systems.
As a Ph.D. student, Liu said she finds meaning in both research and teaching. In the laboratory, she is drawn to the challenge of experimentation, including the failures that inevitably come with scientific work.
“I like doing experiments and seeing my research make progress,” she said. “Sometimes experiments fail, but the most interesting part is thinking of ways to solve the problem. When one day you finally solve it, you feel very happy about it.”
Liu’s research focuses on battery technologies, an area that combines complex scientific challenges with the potential for significant real-world impact. For Liu, the work is both technically demanding and personally rewarding. “I think it is really meaningful and powerful,” she said.
After completing her Ph.D., Liu plans to pursue a career in industry, where her experience in electrochemical engineering, advanced battery design, research, and mentorship will position her to contribute to the future of energy-storage technology.
Through her teaching, mentoring, and research, Liu represents the best of graduate education: a commitment to discovery, a willingness to work through difficult problems, and a genuine investment in helping others grow.