Title: Assistant Professor
Email: Connor.Bischak@utah.edu
Website: https://www.bischaklab.com/
College: Science
School / Department: Chemistry
Mentoring Philosophy:
My mentoring philosophy is rooted in providing students with both the independence to grow as researchers and the structured support needed to succeed. I view mentorship as a partnership, where the student is treated as a junior colleague whose ideas and contributions are valued. My goal is to create an environment where curiosity is encouraged, mistakes are treated as opportunities for learning, and progress is measured not only by results but by the development of confidence, skills, and scientific thinking.
The student can expect frequent and consistent mentorship. At the start of the summer, we will meet to establish goals tailored to the student's interests, prior experience, and career aspirations. I will provide hands-on training in laboratory techniques, robotics operation, and data analysis, supplemented by safety and ethics instruction. As the project develops, we will hold regular one-on-one meetings to review progress, troubleshoot challenges, and refine research questions. The student will also participate in weekly group meetings to present updates, receive peer feedback, and gain exposure to diverse research projects in the lab.