Four Princeton University faculty members, including Howard Stone, have been named recipients of the Graduate Mentoring Awards by the McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning.
Stone, the Donald R. Dixon ’69 and Elizabeth W. Dixon Professor and chair of MAE, is an expert in fluid dynamics, especially as they arise in research and applications at the interface of engineering, chemistry, physics, and biology. He has developed original research directions, using experiments, theory, and simulations, in microfluidics, multiphase flows, electrokinetics, flows involving bacteria and biofilms.
Students commended Stone for his eagerness to help them work through difficult problems. “Whether it be in his classes or with students in his lab, he always makes time for us and comes to any conversation completely engaged,” one of his advisees said.
Others appreciated the way that he encouraged their independence. “As a young person who dreams of becoming a scientist, this means so much,” said an advisee who has worked alongside Stone for 10 years.
Stone demonstrates great concern for his students, noted another: “Watching the care with which he would work through students’ questions in class has set out the best example of excellence in teaching and mentorship I have ever seen.”
A former student who is now a professor said of Stone, “Despite his vast intelligence, intuition and technical knowledge, which have propelled him to the top of his field, these traits are still somehow eclipsed by his humility and good nature.”
Stone and the other award recipients will be honored during the Graduate School’s virtual Hooding ceremony at 4 p.m., Monday, May 24.