Read this carefully before you consider join my group.

• I work hard. I expect you to work hard, too.
• I value resilience. Research is hard, and I will not pretend otherwise. You are expected to face problems, solve them and deliver results. Setbacks are part of research. If you are unwilling to work through difficulties, this is not the right group for you.
• Chasing hot topics does not interest me. I would rather understand a small problem deeply and solve it well than follow the crowd.
• I will never lower my research standards.. I will not put my name on a paper I cannot stand behind. If the work is not ready, we do not submit. A deadline does not change that.
• Prepare every single detail when you talk to me. You will need to be able to explain every single word on your slides. Because I will ask.
• You will have to work on your weaknesses. It will be uncomfortable. I will challenge you. The goal is your independence, not just my next paper.

If you’ve had the patience to read this far and don’t think I’m a complete maniac…

• I want you to be happy here. We will work hard, play hard, and make every day count. You will have my full support in your research. But I also care about how you are doing—not just how your research is going. There will be room for laughter, shared meals, conversations beyond research, and celebrations, big and small. This group will be a place where you feel you belong.
• When research or life gets difficult, you will not face it alone. We will learn, explore, and work through challenges together. Once you join us, you will have a friend and teammate in me. I will stand beside you through setbacks and believe in you even on the days you struggle to believe in yourself.
• We will work on questions we care about and are excited to explore, however small they may seem. I look forward to discovering those questions with you—and sharing the joy of understanding something new.
• I will hold myself to the same standards I ask of you. I will give our work the time, care, and attention it deserves. You can count on thoughtful feedback and patient guidance. We will build work we both believe in and are proud to stand behind.
• Being prepared does not mean having every answer. I will be honest with you, and I want you to feel comfortable being honest with me. Tell me when you are confused, when you disagree, or when you are struggling. Bring me your questions, doubts, and half-formed ideas. You do not have to wait until everything makes sense before we talk.
• Your growth matters far beyond our next paper. I will celebrate your progress and help you become a thoughtful, confident, and independent researcher. You will have my full support as you build the career and life that are right for you. Whether you choose academia, industry, or a startup, I will help you explore your options and move toward a future you are excited about. Your PhD is only one chapter of your life; my support will continue through the many many chapters that follow.

You’re also welcome to ask current members of EPIC Lab about their experience in the group. Just be mindful of their time.

I promise you a wonderful PhD experience. You will spend these years of your youth focusing on what you love. I will protect your sense of wonder.

I want to help you succeed. But I never want you to trade your curiosity for success.

Still interested? Send me an email and tell me a little about yourself and your research interests.