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Shineng Hu will receive the Norm Christensen Faculty Award for Excellence in Mentoring Doctoral ���Ĵ�ýs from the Nicholas School of the Environment during a recognition ceremony for Ph.D. graduate students, which begins at 10 a.m. Friday, May 8, in Love Auditorium, located in the Levine Science Research Center at Duke. Hu is an assistant professor of climate dynamics in the school’s Division of Earth and Climate Sciences.

Named for the Nicholas School’s founding dean, the Norm Christensen Faculty Award recognizes the considerable efforts of full-time faculty who consistently invest their time and attention in mentoring doctoral students in and outside of the classroom.

Hu’s advisees nominated their professor for the award, describing his knack for helping them identify and apply their individual strengths.

“As doctoral students, we have experienced a mentor who truly understands that mentoring is ‘first and foremost about listening.’ Our advisor does not tell us how to get to a destination; he helps us discover the route that best fits our unique talents,” nominators wrote.

���Ĵ�ýs also praised Hu for his commitment to regular one-on-one and group meetings that foster academic progress and open dialogue, noting that, “The foundation of our advisor’s success is his accessibility.”

Additionally, Hu has created an environment where students feel supported in navigating challenges and redefining their research directions — an approach that leads to student achievements such as published work, according to nominators. “He creates a safe environment where we can admit when a path isn’t working,” they wrote.

Beyond research, Hu supports his students’ broader professional development, encouraging participation in entrepreneurship programs and other pursuits, and facilitating opportunities for international collaboration. “He values our growth as multi-faceted professionals over mere research output,” according to nominators.

“In every interaction, Shineng demonstrates culturally inclusive mentoring by respecting our diverse backgrounds and individual career goals,” they wrote. “He has the rare ability to see who we are as individuals and the patience to help us find our own way.”

For more information on Nicholas School recognition ceremonies, visit the schedule of events. For more information on Duke’s commencement activities, visit .