Professors Xiao Wang and Rodrigo Verdi, both members of the 2023-25 Committed to Caring cohort, are aiding in the development of extraordinary researchers and contributing to a collaborative culture.
“Professor Xiao Wang's caring efforts have a profound impact on the lives of her students,” one of her advisees commended.
“Rodrigo's dedication to mentoring and his unwavering support have positively impacted every student in our group,” another student praised.
For MIT graduate students, the Committed to Caring program recognizes those who go above and beyond.
Xiao Wang: Enriching, stimulating, and empowering students
Xiao Wang is a core institute member of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry at MIT. She started her lab in 2019 to develop and apply new chemical, biophysical, and genomic tools to better understand tissue function and dysfunction at the molecular level.
Wang goes above and beyond to create a nurturing environment that fosters growth and supports her students' personal and academic development. She makes it a priority to ensure an intellectually stimulating environment, taking the time to discuss research interests, academic goals, and personal aspirations on a weekly basis.
In their nominations, her students emphasized that Wang understands the importance of mentorship, patiently explaining fundamental concepts, sharing insights from her own groundbreaking work, and providing her students with key scientific papers and resources to deepen their understanding of the field.
“Professor Wang encouraged me to think critically, ask challenging questions, and explore innovative approaches to further my research,” one of her students commented.
Beyond the lab, Wang nurtures a sense of community among her research team. Her regular lab meetings are highly valued by her students, where “fellow researchers presented … findings, exchanged ideas, and received constructive feedback.”
These meetings foster collaboration, enhance communication skills, and create a supportive environment where all lab members feel empowered to share their discoveries and insights.
Wang is a dedicated and compassionate educator, and is known for her unwavering commitment to the well-being and success of her students. Her advisees not only excel academically but they also develop resilience, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
A different student reflected that although they came from an organic chemistry background with few skills related to the chemical biology field, Wang recognized their enthusiasm and potential. She went out of her way to make sure they could have a smooth transition. “It is because of all her training and help that I came from knowing nothing about the field to being able to confidently call myself a chemical biologist,” the student acclaimed.
Her advisees communicate that Wang encourages them to present their work at conferences, workshops, and seminars. This helps boost the students’ confidence and establish connections within the scientific community.
“Her genuine care and dedication make her a cherished mentor and a source of inspiration for all who have the privilege to learn from her,” one of her mentees remarked.
Rodrigo Verdi: Committed and collaborative
Professor Rodrigo Verdi is the deputy dean of degree programs and teaching and learning at the MIT Sloan School of Management. Verdi’s research provides insights into the role of accounting information in corporate finance decisions and in capital markets behavior.
Professor Verdi has been active in the majority of the Sloan students’ research journeys. He makes sure to assist students even if he does not directly guide them. One student states that “although Rodrigo is not my primary advisor, he still goes above and beyond to provide feedback and assistance.”
Verdi believes that “an appetite for experimentation, the ability to handle failure, and managing the stress along the way” is the kind of support necessary for especially innovative research.
Another student recounts that they “cannot think of a single recent graduate since … [they] started the PhD program that did not have Rodrigo on their committee.” This demonstrates how much students value his guidance, and how much he cares about their success.
Since his arrival at MIT, he has shown a strong commitment to mentoring students. Despite his many responsibilities as an associate dean, Rodrigo remains highly accessible to students and eagerly engages with them.
Specifically, Verdi has interacted with more than 90 percent of recent graduates over the past 10 years, contributing significantly to the department’s strong track record in job placements. He has served on the dissertation committee for 18 students in the last 15 years, which represents nearly all of the students in the department.
A student remarked that “Rodrigo has been an exceptional advisor during my job market period, which is known for its high levels of stress.” He offered continuous encouragement and support, making himself available for discussions whenever the student faced challenges.
After each job market interview, Verdi and the student would debrief and discuss areas for improvement. His insights into the academic system, the significance of social skills and networking, and his valuable advice helped the student successfully get a faculty position.
Rodrigo’s mantra is, “people won't care how much you know until they know how much you care,” and his relationships with his students support this maxim.
Verdi has made a lasting impact on the culture of the accounting specialty and is an important piece of the puzzle with regard to interactions found in the Sloan school. One of his students praised, “the collaborative culture is impressive: I’d call it a family, where faculty and students are very close to each other.” They described that they “share the same office space, have lunches together, and whenever students want feedback, the faculty is willing to help.”
Verdi has sharp research insights, and always wants to help, even when he is swamped with administrative affairs. He makes himself accessible to students, often staying after hours with his door open.
Another mentee said that “he has been organizing weekly PhD lunch seminars for years, online brown-bags among current and previous MIT accounting members during the pandemic, and more recently the annual MIT accounting alumni conference.” Verdi also takes students out for dinner or coffee, caring about how they are doing outside of academics. The student commended, “I feel lucky that Rodrigo is here.”
