NYU Shanghai Appoints Chief Science Mentor and Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs

New York University Shanghai has made two senior leadership appointments, strengthening the university’s commitment to science and research.

David McLaughlin, Provost of New York University, will be leaving his post at the end of the month to take on the role of Chief Science Mentor at New York University Shanghai from September 1.

An applied mathematician, Dr. McLaughlin’s most recent work has been in visual neuroscience and has focused upon computational models of the primary visual cortex.

In his new role, Dr. McLaughlin will support the scholarly development of NYU Shanghai’s faculty and students in the areas of mathematics, the sciences, and technology. He will do so at the individual level and also at the institutional level, helping to strengthen the university’s relationships with other parts of NYU, with ECNU, and with government and other supporters in both China and the United States.

Dr. McLaughlin will be splitting his time between NYU Shanghai, the Courant Institute of Mathematics and the Tandon School of Engineering. He will be residence in Shanghai approximately 15 weeks each year, during which time he will be teaching students as well as carrying out mentoring duties.

“One of Dave’s most significant achievements as Provost of NYU was the creation of NYU Shanghai, which would not have occurred but for his indefatigable labors to craft our “dual identity” institution,” said Jeffrey Lehman, Vice-Chancellor of NYU Shanghai. “His intimate understanding of our academic mission coupled with his experience in supporting scientific research will be most valuable in shaping our institution’s future and we look forward to welcoming him to Shanghai.”

Also joining NYU Shanghai this summer is Eric Mao, who was named Assistant Dean for Graduate and Special Programs on August 15.

Dr. Mao comes to Shanghai from the Peking University School of Transnational Law in Shenzhen, where he served as Lecturer of Law and Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs.

At NYU Shanghai, Eric is responsible for managing all graduate programs, including the Shanghai PhD track and other graduate program relationships with NYU in New York; MA programs; doctoral fellowships, and special or occasional NYU programs in China that are run through NYU Shanghai.

Among other senior appointments this summer is Jack Li, who joins NYU Shanghai as Director of Facilities; Zhi Xu, 许之 Director of Laboratories.

Other staff members to join this summer include Fuyue Chen, 陈福月 Associate for Center for Global Asia; Vivian Liu, 刘唯轶 Senior Associate of Research Institutes; Maria Guo, 郭梦琳；Minqing Wang, 王忞青 Academic Advisor, Academic Affairs; Yida Ma, 马毅达  Chinese Writer, University Communications; Yiyao Hu, 胡怡瑶, Library Assistant, Library; Ariel Wang, 王佩 Associate, Academic Affairs; Alicia Zhao, 赵荣清, Procurement Operation Specialist, Finance; Hongdan Yang, Research Associate, Prof. Jungseog Kang's Lab; Jinbiao Yang, Research Associate, Prof. Xing Tian's Lab; Siyan Yao, Behavior Economics Laboratory Research Specialist, the Office of Research.