Lehigh’s world-class faculty, 93 percent of whom hold terminal degrees in their respective fields, offer expertise and valuable insights on a variety of topics. Here is a closer look at three of them.
Chengshan Xiao, Chandler Weaver Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
College: P.C. Rossin College of Engineering & Applied Science
Years at Lehigh: Four years
Courses Taught:
- ECE 108 Signals and Systems
- ECE 341/441 Fundamentals of Wireless Communication
Professor of electrical and computer engineering, Chenshan Xiao, was first drawn to Lehigh University when he heard Lee Iacocca speak when he was a graduate student at Tsinghua University. As Iacocca spoke of his experiences, Xiao recognized how his goals and future plans could meet fruition at Lehigh.
“I learned that he got a degree at Lehigh University, and I was immediately drawn to the school and what it could potentially offer for me,” Xiao said.
Xiao then went on to pursue a Ph.D. in electrical engineering at the University of Sydney. His studies and research eventually led him to become a department chair of electrical and computer engineering here at Lehigh University.
His current research interests include secure communications in cognitive radio networks with finite alphabet signaling and underwater acoustic communications with undersea experiences.
“The best part of my research is that I get to learn from my students and the other faculty that is involved,” Xiao said. “There are different kinds of intensity for research that students can be involved in, and I think all students should get involved with research at some point.”
After their Lehigh experience, Xiao said that their time at Lehigh prepares them to take on multiple different paths. While the university has faced unprecedented shifts throughout COVID-19, Xiao said that the spirit of Lehigh students continues to excite him for the near future.
“Our curriculum is enhanced through research opportunities,” Xiao said. “I look forward to COVID ending when we can have all of our students back on campus. That is very exciting to me.”
Xiaochen Guo, Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
College: P.C. Rossin College of Engineering & Applied Science
Years at Lehigh: Six years
Courses Taught:
- ECE 128 FPGA (field programmable gate arrays) Laboratory
- ECE 132 Microcontroller Laboratory
- ECE 305/405 Memory Systems
- ECE 401 Advanced Computer Architecture
Out of all of her experiences at Lehigh, electrical and computer engineering professor Xiaochen Guo said that what stands out the most from her experience is how happy the people are here. She attributes that to the ample opportunities to study and research areas of interest.
“What has truly made my experience here so fulfilling is seeing the students around me succeed and enjoy the work that they do,” Guo said.
Guo initially received her undergraduate degree in Beijing at Shanghai University and then continued her studies in electrical and computer engineering from The University of Rochester. During the time at The University of Rochester, she began her research in leveraging emerging memory technologies.
When she found herself teaching at Lehigh, she began her research in designing energy-efficient computer architectures. Throughout her research, Guo has spent much of her time working alongside Ph.D. students where they can explore their own research interests with her guidance.
While she has great experience working with Ph.D. students, one of her primary efforts is with Lehigh’s initiative to include undergraduate students in STEM research. She has been matched with two students for the upcoming summer, and they will complete research together.
“They seem like brilliant students,” Guo said. “We will have productive research going on this summer, and I hope to keep that tradition going as we include more undergraduate students in our research.”
Huai-Dong Cao, A. Everett Pitcher Professor of Mathematics
College: College of Arts and Sciences
Courses Taught:
- Math 208 Complex Variables
- Math 381 Undergraduate Research
- Math 475 Topics in Geometry
Lehigh professor of mathematics Huai-Dong Cao began his studies in Beijing, China, at the University of Tsinghua.. After moving to the U.S. and completing his studies at Princeton University, he found a position to teach at Lehigh University.
Beyond the classroom, Cao leads research teams in geometric analysis and Ricci flow. Four Ph.D., one master’s and three undergraduate students work alongside him in his lab.
“A majority of the Ph.D. students working with me are international students,” Cao said. “They will come to me with their own ideas and I happily work with them to complete their projects.”
Cao said that most of his international students move on to work in their home countries, whereas some stay in the United States to continue studies or find work.
For students that are interested in deepening their understanding of their studies, Cao recommended getting involved in a research project here at Lehigh. Regardless of their major or department, there are professors and research teams that are eager to take on new members, he said.
“I encourage more Lehigh students to consider pursuing a research project or even a higher degree at some point,” Cao said. “These opportunities really enrich your learning experience, especially at Lehigh.”