What is research like?
University research groups are like small competitive businesses where the products are new knowledge, the dissemination of scientific results, university infrastructure, and training opportunities.
There are different roles in a lab: we need builders, designers, programmers, organizers, and teachers. Career researchers adopt almost all of these roles while rigorously pursuing knowledge of the precise science and math of their disciplines.
Interested in joining us?
It is a privilege to learn your technical craft by being involved with research.
We require: 1) trust, honesty, and generosity among our lab teammates; 2) care and respect for what is in the lab; 3) reliable communication; 4) attention to detail; 5) fierce intensity or determination; 6) curiosity; 7) the ability to laugh at yourself.
If you are interested in joining us, take ME180-280 (Lasers and Optics for Engineers), ME202 (Spectral Computational Methods), or email LuatV@UCR.edu with your CV.
Helpful quotes/reminders
If it were easy, it might already have been done. (Alexander L. Gaeta)
A research career is long with lots of ups and downs. (Jordi Martorell)
Be adaptable, sometimes what you thought was a bowl is really a trivet. (Sheryl L. Woodward)
Can I call you, 'Luat'?
While you are a student in my class or a trainee in my lab, please call me, Dr. Vuong or Professor Vuong. A title does not block me from appreciating you; in fact, if you are invited to be part of my group, then you are A+ in some way. However, a lot of tax dollars are invested in us; I take our competitive efforts seriously and you should, too.