Annual faculty awards: Jianghu (James) Dong, PhD

Jianghu (James) Dong, PhD, is a recipient of the UNMC Faculty Senate’s Outstanding Teacher Award.

• Name: Jianghu (James) Dong, PhD
• Title: Professor, Division of Nephrology, Department of Biostatistics, UNMC College of Public Health
• Joined UNMC: 2019
• Hometown: Zhejiang, China

What are the greatest rewards of teaching?

Teaching offers a multitude of rewards, both intrinsic and extrinsic. These rewards play a vital role in preparing students for successful careers. University educators always extend their influence beyond the classroom, leaving a profound impact on the broader community.

Describe a moment in your career when you realized you had picked the right occupation.

I embarked on my teaching journey at a prestigious medical university following my graduation from one of the world’s top universities. As an educator, I am continually invigorated by the opportunities to shape students’ comprehension of complex statistical concepts, research design, methodology knowledge and their significant relevance across diverse health science domains. Witnessing their transformation and engagement serves as a continuous inspiration for me.

What are the biggest challenges you face as a teacher?

A good teacher needs to understand different learning. This may take a lot of time and effort on the teacher’s end, but the benefits for student performance are unbeatable. Teaching is a pleasant journey, and the students are the partners in this journey. A good interactive teaching style benefits both the student and the instructor.

How do you know when you’ve been successful as a teacher?

As an educator, I always strive to be excellent in teaching. Success is evident to me through the positive comments, feedback and academic research achievements. Witnessing the students’ achievements reinforces the belief that being a good professor is indeed one of the most fulfilling career aspirations.