BIO
James Long was born in Bangkok, Thailand and moved to the United States when he was four years old. With his father working at MIT, his family lived in Cambridge before moving to Niskayuna, New York. He studied bioengineering at Rice University and then earned his master’s and doctorate in biomedical engineering at Duke University, where he was recognized as the TA of the Year for his achievement in mentorship in the field. Upon completing his PhD, he was welcomed back to his alma mater Rice University as a Bioengineering professor and Undergraduate Academic Advisor. Long lives in Houston with his wife and dog. He hopes to give back to the scholarly community through his involvement in professional organizations like the American Society of Engineering Education. His goal is to be a lifelong educator, motivated by the joy he finds in teaching.
In this interview, Long begins by describing memories from his childhood from a beautiful, dense neighborhood in Thailand to a view of the Charles River in Cambridge. He remembers his first job in high school as a lifeguard in Niskayuna. At Rice, he recalls meeting his future wife and best man within his first year at Baker College. He talks about his involvement in Biomedical Engineering Society and Rice Splash, a crash course program led by Rice students for local high school students. He also discusses the valuable mentorship he received which prompted him to obtain his teaching certificate at Duke. He shares the importance of empathy in teaching, in honoring students’ lives outside of class and maintaining a healthy work-life balance himself. He appreciates the flexibility of the academic lifestyle which allows him to spend time with his dog and travel with his wife. Lastly, he reflects on anti-Asian sentiment he has experienced, but ends with advice and a hopeful note about how the uniquely diverse and vibrant character of Houston prevails.