Helen Lin, Faculty and Program Administrator
What I Do
I support Professors Gordon Wetzstein, Ayfer Ozgur, Brad Osgood, and Bernd Girod. I'm also the program administrator for SCIEN, the Stanford Center for Image Systems Engineering affiliate program.
Origins
I was born in Taiwan and came to the US (more specifically to the Los Angeles area) with my family at the age of 12 when I was in 7th grade. I went to 3 different middle schools as my parents navigated the new environment with limited English, searching for a better school for me and my younger brother and sister.
The Rose Parade in Pasadena was the first “American” event I witnessed a couple of weeks after arriving here. When I saw the UCLA marching band, I told my parents that that’s my goal for college. Imagine my joy when I received an admission packet in the mail from UCLA! I met my husband during my last quarter there. After he received his master’s in mechanical engineering, we moved to Michigan for his first job at General Motors. Since then, we’ve lived in Princeton, New Jersey for 3 months for his short-term assignment, Philadelphia for 2 years for his Wharton MBA degree, back to Los Angeles, then up to the Bay Area in 2000.
My first job was working as a research assistant which stemmed from my last two quarters at UCLA where I was a student therapist at a research center for children with autism. I focused on helping them learn basic life skills through behavior modifications. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology with an emphasis on developmental disabilities, I worked in a development center gathering and analyzing data using SAS (Statistical Analysis System). I wrote code and ran statistical programs to assist the PI in her research. During the years when we were moving around in different states, I worked in HR and Payroll while expanding our family to include two sons, now 27 and 32. Before coming to Stanford, I was the office manager for my church for 13+ years, handling everything from organizing events as well as repairs and maintenance to finances and purchasing.
After having exposure to different work settings, I eventually came full circle by returning to academia at Stanford. I have always enjoyed the university environment with vibrant research and abundant resources. My current role encompasses all the skills and experiences that I’ve accumulated over the years.
My EExperience
EE has a very supportive culture with people who are always ready to assist and guide. With ever-changing policies and a dynamic ecosystem, we’re constantly learning and navigating new territories. My EE colleagues are generous in sharing their knowledge and experiences, which has helped us develop friendships that extend beyond work. I’m blessed to be a member of the EE community, contributing in a very small way, to the advancement of research and education.
Outside of Work
With so much that Stanford has to offer, my husband and I enjoy different aspects of the campus. You may find us hiking the Dish, watching sports games, and attending Stanford Live events, just to name a few. As empty nesters, we always welcome visits from our sons and cherish our precious time together. I love music and singing. I was the piano accompanist for my middle school choir. Music is definitely a universal language! The Sound of Music is my all-time favorite film. I also enjoy watching Chinese dramas and do the daily Wordle.
Favorite Spot
I love the panoramic view when standing at the Oval. On a good day, the blue sky, the greenery, the mountains in the background, and the architecture are just beautiful. My favorite spot off campus would have to be the Golden Gate Bridge because that was where my husband proposed during one of our earlier trips in college. He was driving and was without a ring and without getting down on one knee of course. Time flies and it’s been almost 36 years!
Stanford Football game against Louisville, November 2024. We Won!
On one of our hikes towards the Dish.
At the EE Canvas & Cafe with my painting, October 2024.