Xian Du is an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, and a member of the Center for Personalized Health Monitoring in IALS.
IALS: Hi Xian, thank you for speaking with us today. We have a few questions for you so everyone on campus can get to know you better. How long have you been at UMass Amherst?
XD: I have been at UMass Amherst since the spring of 2018.
IALS: Where did you grow up?
XD: I grew up in China.
IALS: Does the love of science run in your family?
XD: Yes. My parents always told me that science can change human life better.
IALS: How long have you been teaching?
XD: I have been teaching for 6.5 years.
IALS: What is more stressful, grant proposals, research, or teaching?
XD: Proposals. It has more uncertainty than research and teaching.
IALS: Assuming your research is widely successful, how will it impact society?
XD: My research is on intelligent sensing techniques for manufacturing and health. The wide success of my research should help people get high-quality and low-cost wearable sensing solutions for real-time health monitoring.
IALS: Who do you admire and why?
XD: Thomas Edison. His stories always inspire me to work hard. His story exactly showed that a scientist can trust more on the ninety-nine percent perspiration for success but not the one percent inspiration.
IALS: What are your interests when you are not a scientist?
XD: Accompanying my son to swimming practice, team meets and championships, as a driver, cook, caregiver, and coach.
IALS: Thank you so much Xian!