A grand master of seismology and mentoring [Don Helmberger]

Abstract

I joined Don Helmberger’s group in the summer of 2008, after getting a Master’s degree in China from Sidao Ni, another graduate student of Don’s. I was very excited, because Don has a giant academic family tree and I thought I would become Don’s last student, which is quite an honor in the Chinese culture, so-called the “final apprentice”. I was wrong! Don had another seven students after me and the final apprentice honor went to Voon-Hui Lai. Over Don’s long career, he had scores of students, many of whom are now big names in academia, especially in the United States and in China, because Don mentored a number of Chinese students.