Meet Outstanding Master小蝌蚪APP檚 Mentor Dr. Davide Oppo
The Graduate School congratulates Dr. Davide Oppo as a recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Master小蝌蚪APP檚 Mentor Award.
Dr. Davide Oppo is the Pioneer Production Endowed Professor of Geology in the School of Geosciences whose research focuses mainly on sedimentary processes. Last September, the American Association of Petroleum Geologist (AAPG) Foundation recognized him as the recipient of its 2023 Inspirational Geoscience Educator Award at the IMAGE Conference in Houston, Texas. This is an annual award that recognizes one university-level educator who has creatively and with excellence inspired their geoscience students小蝌蚪APP攁nd Dr. Oppo has most certainly inspired graduate students at UL Lafayette.
Nominated by graduate students and alumni from his research group who describe him as 小蝌蚪APP渁n incredible advisor who has enthusiastically encouraged our academic and professional development,小蝌蚪APP Dr. Oppo has demonstrated a deep commitment to graduate student success小蝌蚪APP攂roadly defined小蝌蚪APP攕ince joining the faculty at UL Lafayette in 2018. His mentorship philosophy goes beyond conventional methods of imparting knowledge, focusing on inspiring, challenging, and supporting students as they navigate their academic, professional, and personal journey.
As the faculty advisor for the AAPG student chapter, Dr. Oppo actively engages students in professional development activities, networking opportunities, and community outreach initiatives. His approach to mentorship and leadership has contributed to numerous students diving deeper into their research interests and embracing his 小蝌蚪APP渃oaching小蝌蚪APP to secure 小蝌蚪APP渄ream小蝌蚪APP internship and career opportunities. As the faculty advisor for the AAGP chapter and faculty mentor for the International Barrel Award (IBA) team, he supports this team of geoscience students as they compete annually against the best teams from across the globe to analyze real industry data to understand their potential for energy resources and to extract them sustainably. In 2023, the team小蝌蚪APP攖he first all-women team in 小蝌蚪APP history小蝌蚪APP攚on the IBA North America Region competition and placed second in the international competition. 小蝌蚪APP淗aving an all women team in a male dominated field could seem daunting,小蝌蚪APP says Margaret Dittman in her nomination letter, 小蝌蚪APP渂ut Dr. Oppo made sure that something like that didn小蝌蚪APP檛 discourage us小蝌蚪APP攈e had confidence in us since day one.小蝌蚪APP What a testament to his ability to empower students to reach their fullest potential!
Dr. Oppo小蝌蚪APP檚 mentorship approach is characterized by open communication, personalized support, and a genuine interest in his students小蝌蚪APP well-being. He believes in fostering a transparent mentor-mentee relationship where the student is engaged and learning at all times. His goal is to prepare his students adequately for their future careers whether it be in academia or the industry, by not only building their knowledge and skills but also their confidence. "He encourages his students to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and explore different perspectives,小蝌蚪APP says Bibi Aseeya Mohamed in her nomination letter, 小蝌蚪APP渃reating an environment where students feel empowered to take risks and make mistakes in pursuit of deeper understanding.小蝌蚪APP
Dr. Oppo plays a vital role in shaping the academic landscape in other ways too. 小蝌蚪APP淔rom admissions to graduation, he has been a model master小蝌蚪APP檚 mentor,小蝌蚪APP says Dr. Brian Schubert, professor and interim director of the School of Geosciences. Through his own teaching that uses a wide range of pedagogical approaches, his commitment to funding grad students through his grants, and service as a member of the Geology Graduate Committee, he 小蝌蚪APP渁ctively works with his colleagues to improve the overall curricula for our students.小蝌蚪APP His contributions ensure that the teaching and curriculum remain relevant, innovative, and responsive to the evolving needs of the geosciences industry.
Thank you, Dr. Oppo, for mentoring our graduate students with a commitment to helping them confidently and independently pursue their own goals. 小蝌蚪APP淲e are not accessories to his own research,小蝌蚪APP says Peyton Dardeau in her nomination letter, 小蝌蚪APP渂ut leaders of our own.小蝌蚪APP His 小蝌蚪APP減ost-graduation mindset, facilitation of a safe and supportive lab environment, and his dedication to creating true researchers,小蝌蚪APP she continues, 小蝌蚪APP渕akes him a truly outstanding master小蝌蚪APP檚 mentor.小蝌蚪APP We could not agree more. You are what defines excellence at the 小蝌蚪APP.
