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The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Graduate Student Award Committee selected Siyuan “Simon” Xing as the recipient of the University’s 2016 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award. Xing was honored at the annual Graduate Student Honor’s Day Luncheon in mid-November. 

 Sponsored by SIUE’s Graduate School, the award recognizes and rewards a graduate assistant for outstanding performance in teaching and instruction. The award includes $500 and a certificate in recognition of exceptional effort and contribution to academic excellence.

I am truly honored to be recognized,” Xing said. “It has inspired me to hone my teaching skills further and motivated me to design better courses.”

Xing is from Chengdu, China and began his SIUE teaching assistantship in fall 2013. He is working on his master’s thesis on periodic motions in nonlinear dynamics as well as an industry project regarding the design of resonant fatigue testing platform. After completing his master’s degree, he plans to work on his PhD.

Xing pointed to his advisor, Albert Luo, professor of mechanical and industrial engineering in SIUE’s School of Engineering, as the key person in his success. “As an internationally recognized scientist in the field of nonlinear dynamics and mechanics, he motivated me to produce creative new theory and push the boundary of science,” Xing said. “Under his guidance, I quickly caught up with the cutting-edge research and published several journal papers. During my master’s study, Albert offered vast opportunities to present my research and to communicate with world-level scientists.”

In 2015, Xing participated in the International Conference on Nonlinear Dynamics and Complexity in La Manga, Spain. In 2016, he participated in the International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition (IMECE) at Phoenix, and International Design Engineering Technical Conference (IDETC) at Charlotte.

“Through communicating with top scientists at conferences, I understood the significance of my research and built my confidence,” Xing said. “I believe the chance at such great opportunities at SIUE is rare compared to other universities. Without Albert’s support, I could not have gained such an achievement.”

Course evaluations from Xing’s students included comments such as: “Simon is the best TA at this school … Great instructor … Simon is the best. More teachers should learn from him … Simon is my hero … Connected well with students. Good explaining.”

Majid Molki, distinguished research professor and chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, nominated Xing. “Siyuan’s contribution to our program has clearly exceeded the normal duties of teaching assistants,” Molki said. “Siyuan is not only an outstanding teaching assistant, but also a scholar who is constantly expanding his knowledge of the discipline. During his master’s studies in our program, he co-authored four journal papers and four conference papers with his research advisor. He has also made four conference presentations.”

Photo: Siyuan “Simon” Xing, recipient of the SIUE 2016 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award.