Pam Qian, who recently earned her Ph.D. in Computer Science from Rice University’s George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing, is joining the University of Houston (UH) as an Assistant Professor of Computer Science.
Staying in Houston was an intentional choice. The University of Houston’s strong medical ecosystem—including its medical and nursing schools—and Qian’s ongoing research collaboration with Houston Methodist Hospital made the institution a natural fit. “It took two to three years to establish that collaboration, and being able to continue that was a big part of my decision,” she noted.
Much of Qian’s success navigating the complex faculty job market stems from the guidance and support she received through the Future Faculty Fellows program at Rice. “Applying for faculty positions is definitely a stressful process,” she said. “But I had so much support—Tracy Volz’s feedback on my research and teaching statements was incredibly helpful.” One of her most memorable takeaways came from a workshop on offer negotiations. “Because of that, I was fully prepared. I even negotiated a relocation package, thanks to advice from my cohort,” she recalled.
The Future Faculty Fellows (FFF) program in Rice’s George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing is designed to help Ph.D. students and postdocs explore the tenure track academic career path, compete successfully for tenure track faculty positions and launch their careers. The program offers workshops, panel discussions, networking events and other support tailored to academic career pathways.
Qian’s new role is part of UH’s Presidential Frontier Faculty initiative, which invests in faculty research at the intersection of strategic areas like AI, healthcare and sustainability. This is a perfect fit for Qian, who has developed the first robot nursing tutor, ASTRID. Qian is eager to continue building interdisciplinary connections and is especially excited about the resources and support available to early-career researchers at UH.
She is also enthusiastic about teaching, even as she transitions from instructing 30 students at Rice to potentially managing lecture halls of 300 or more. Her teaching approach has been shaped by her participation in a pedagogy course led by Professor Rebecca Schreib (née Smith), and she credits that experience with sharpening her classroom presence and adaptability.
Qian’s sense of mentorship and community was also shaped by her grandmother, a university professor in China who continues to revise English textbooks at the age of 88. “She’s still helping young faculty in her department,” Qian said with admiration. “It’s this mindset of fostering the next generation that inspires me.”
Outside the lab and classroom, Qian finds balance and joy in rowing, a sport she’s been passionate about since her undergraduate days. At Rice, she became team captain and helped rebuild the university’s rowing club after COVID disrupted its operations.
Reflecting on the whirlwind journey of job applications, interviews and offers, Qian shared one last story—from her campus visit to the University of Colorado Boulder. After asking faculty about driving in the snow, the search committee chair surprised her by offering his keys. “I actually did it—I drove his car in the snow. He told me that he had made the same offer to others, but ‘You're the first candidate who ever said yes.’”
It’s that spirit of curiosity, confidence and community that Qian brings to the next phase of her academic career.
Are you interested in becoming a Future Faculty Fellow? Apply before June 1, 2025: https://engineering.rice.edu/academics/future-faculty-fellows/apply-fff.