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Learning how to be an effective mentor

Andrew Ye profile photo
Andrew Ye conducts research on two-dimensional materials in the lab of Prof. Jiwoong Park and has participated in PME’s mentorship program and science communications program.

Editor’s note: This profile is the fourth in a series that highlights students and recent alumni as part of the admitted students weekends on February 10 - 11 and March 11 - 12. Learn more about the first steps for admitted students and our PhD Program and Master’s Program.

Andrew Ye has always been interested in the intersection of physics, nanotechnology, and robotics.

When looking at graduate programs, he found his research interests aligned with Prof. Jiwoong Park, who studies the large-scale synthesis and processing of nanomaterials.

“That made my decision to come to UChicago pretty clear,” he said.

As part of his PhD, Ye has been conducting research on two-dimensional materials—few-atom-thick materials that could be the basis for future electronic and optical technologies. He and his collaborators have developed a new technique to manufacture these 2D materials into complex architectures using robotic automation.

As a graduate student, Ye has also participated in PME’s mentorship program.

“Being able to hear professors share their own perspectives on interpersonal relationships was quite valuable,” he said.

Ye would ultimately like to run his own research group one day—whether in an academic, industrial, or national lab setting—and said the program helped him “think about how I could be an effective mentor in the future.”

“Being able to hear professors share their own perspectives on interpersonal relationships was quite valuable.”
Graduate student Andrew Ye on PME’s mentorship program

Ye also participated in the science communication program, where graduate students attend workshops and complete projects to translate their own research for the public.

“I had a lot of fun and learned a lot from the science demonstrations that were part of the program,” he said. “After my PhD, I’d like to continue operating science demos like that for local science classrooms.”

To incoming PME graduate students, Ye stressed the importance of choosing the right advisor.

“It’s obviously important to make sure your research interests align, but it’s just as critical to understand a potential advisor’s philosophy on mentorship and growth,” he said. “How you fit in with that philosophy will be very important to your well-being and happiness over the next five or six years.”