When Drs. Shangqing Zhao and Ziming Liu sat down for their first DISC mentorship meeting, their conversation quickly moved beyond introductions and into the practical side of building a research program.
Zhao, an assistant professor in the School of Computer Science, shared experiences from his own research planning and career trajectory, including how he has developed collaborations both within and outside the university, initiated research through internal seed funding, and used those projects as a foundation for pursuing larger external grant opportunities.
Liu, also an assistant professor in the School of Computer Science, brings an interdisciplinary research perspective that connects artificial intelligence, healthcare, neuroscience, and human-machine collaboration. His work focuses on developing adaptive and trustworthy AI systems for mental healthcare, including applications related to Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders.
Their conversation provided an opportunity to connect these different research perspectives while discussing the broader process of developing ideas, building collaborations, and identifying opportunities to grow research projects.
Zhao also shared lessons from his own experiences navigating research collaborations and funding, offering practical perspective on how early-stage projects can develop into larger research efforts. The two also discussed potential opportunities for future collaboration.
For Liu, the conversation offered an opportunity to learn from another faculty member's experiences while thinking about how to continue developing his own research program. For Zhao, the mentorship provided an opportunity to share lessons learned throughout his career and connect with a colleague whose interdisciplinary work creates opportunities for new conversations across AI and other fields.
Their first meeting reflects the purpose of the DISC Mentorship Program which is creating connections among OU faculty that encourage the exchange of knowledge, experience, and ideas while opening the door to potential interdisciplinary collaborations.
As their mentorship continues, Zhao and Liu can build on their initial conversation, explore areas of shared interest, and identify opportunities to connect their research expertise in new ways.
Interested in learning more about the DISC Mentorship Program? Click here to learn more about DISC Mentorship.
