Academic Influencer
“ There are students and young scientists who are experiencing these things and need to know that they are not alone .”
— Darren Lipomi own experiences , he features guests with diverse voices in STEM . One former student from Lipomi ’ s lab shared his own transformation story from a life of addiction and incarceration to ultimately earning a PhD in chemical engineering at UC San Diego and patenting innovations at Intel . ( The video also offered advice on explaining a jail sentence on a resume .)
The seeds of Lipomi ’ s YouTube channel were sown during his years of teaching when he realized that he was delivering the same lectures every year . So , he decided to record course lectures and post them on YouTube for his students to watch before class .
This innovative teaching approach is known as the flipped classroom . Rather than using class time to deliver a lecture , the instructor can dedicate the time to in-depth discussions , collaborative problem-solving and real-world applications .
The approach also aligns with Lipomi ’ s commitment to inclusive teaching practices .
“ The traditional model of students sitting in a room with the expectation that they are going to be talked at by a professor for 50 or 80 minutes can be isolating to many individuals ,” he says . But in a flipped classroom where small group interactions are common , students tend to feel more comfortable . “ In my experience , it encourages students to express doubts in their understanding in a way that does not expose them to perceived judgment by the entire class .” The outcomes have been positive . While creating YouTube videos is not part of his official job description , Lipomi considers it a crucial element of his mission to demystify academia and create inclusive spaces for students and early-career scientists . “ I find it to be one of the more personally rewarding things I do in my time ,” he says .
Beyond the lab and classroom , and his role as associate dean , Lipomi also serves as faculty director of the IDEA Engineering Student Center , which provides support services and engagement opportunities for students at Jacobs School of Engineering . While he admits that it ’ s challenging to balance all of his roles , he remains dedicated to making STEM education and research accessible to all . Whether he ’ s behind the camera or the podium , he is committed to transparency in STEM education , shedding light in the halls of academia and keepin ’ it real — one episode and lecture at a time . •
UC SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE 45