Students in the Advanced Medical Robots Lab are encouraged to ask bold questions, explore new ideas, and embrace the inevitable challenges that come with research. That philosophy—and the supportive structure that surrounds it—is why Tao Shen, Ph.D., assistant professor in the College of Aeronautics and Engineering has received ɫҹ University’s 2024–25 Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award.
Shen leads the Advanced Medical Robots Lab, where undergraduates contribute to projects in surgical robotics, assistive devices, and more. His students describe his lab as a place where curiosity is cultivated, and growth—both personal and academic—is a central goal. That mindset is reflected not just in the lab’s atmosphere, but in Shen’s own approach to mentorship.
“We need to nurture students' curiosity,” Shen said. “As long as a proposed method has some minimal feasibility, I encourage them to give it a try and reassure them that failure is a natural part of the learning process.”
Guidance That Meets Students Where They Are
Shen begins each mentorship by getting to know his students’ interests and goals. “During my first meeting with students, I ask about their interests, background, and future career plans,” he said. “Based on their interests, I assign projects or tasks that align with their goals.”
His approach is hands-on and intentionally paced. Students may begin by building circuits or developing basic prototypes, gradually taking on more advanced challenges. “Maintaining balance is crucial—tasks that are too difficult can undermine their confidence and motivation,” he said.
Over the past several years, Shen’s mentorship has led students to publish papers, contribute to conference presentations, and even support patent applications and grant proposals. He takes pride not only in the technical skills they develop but in the direction those skills can take them.
“It will also bring me great joy to see them secure a good position or pursue graduate school, aided by the projects they worked on under my mentorship,” Shen said.
Recognition and Reflection
The Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award is based on nominations from students—something that makes this recognition particularly meaningful for Shen.
“It’s truly rewarding to know that my mentoring work is recognized by the students, our college and our university,” he said. “It brings me joy to see the positive impact it has on students’ studies and future careers. This recognition motivates me to continue this meaningful work with even more passion.”
Shen credits his own mentors for shaping his approach, especially his Ph.D. advisor. “One of the key mentoring approaches I use today is something I learned from him—he never dismissed a student’s idea, no matter how unlikely it seemed,” he said. “This encouraged me to learn from my failures without feeling discouraged.”
His advice for other faculty is simple and powerful: “If I were to offer one piece of advice, it would be: nurture and strengthen students' curiosity.”
Shen will be honored during the Faculty Club reception on April 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. in Room 218 of the Kent Student Center.