SEMINAR: DR. THAO LE – MINDFULNESS FOR SCIENTISTS: HOW IT SUPPORTS WELLNESS & SKILLFUL LIVING

Dr. Le currently serves as Professor & Chair in the Family Consumer Sciences Department, in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa.

Mindfulness—the practice of present-moment awareness with openness and non-judgment—offers many wholesome benefits for scientists, enhancing both personal well-being and professional effectiveness. As both life and research can be very demanding, requiring mental clarity and creativity, as well as resilience (especially dealing with criticisms and rejections), mindfulness alongside an ethical path can provide a powerful tool to navigate the ups and downs to make ethical and sometimes difficult choices.

By cultivating mindfulness, one can develop greater emotional regulation, mitigate burnout and anxiety that are often associated with academic and research environments. A cultivation of right attention and awareness can foster better work-life balance, enhancing overall wellness and preventing cognitive overload. Importantly, mindfulness supports skillful living by fostering ethical integrity and collaborative communication. A mindful scientist is more likely to engage in open-minded inquiry, listen deeply, and navigate professional challenges with composure. This presence of mind also enhances creativity, allowing for fresh perspectives and novel discoveries.

By integrating mindfulness into daily routines, scientists can optimize their mental and emotional resources, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and productive career.

This session intends to provide an informal overview of mindfulness including tips & basic practice as part of skillful living.  Open discussion and dialogue will be encouraged to promote sharing and reflection, and how to apply the “simple but not easy” practice to daily life. 

Time: 10:00AM