Know Your Professor With Zhyryn!

Welcome back to Know Your Professor With Zhyryn, a weekly feature of The Cadre that introduces students to the people behind their lectures. Each week, we highlight a professor from a different faculty across campus, exploring their academic journeys, teaching philosophies, and the moments that make them more than just a name on a syllabus.

This week’s feature spotlights Professor Bingxian Mu, better known to students as Professor Bing, from the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering. I had the opportunity to sit down with Professor Bing to learn more about his path into academia, his approach to teaching complex engineering concepts, and why chocolates and candies have become a classroom staple.

Professor Bing’s academic background is rooted in both industry and research. He completed his PhD studying robotics control systems, with a focus on quadrotor drones, before spending two years working in Ontario on autonomous driving at General Motors. While the industry offered valuable experience, it also pushed him toward a different calling. “During the time I worked in this industry, I realized that in order to provide more profound solutions for open questions, academia may be a better place,” he said. This realization led him back to university teaching, including a position in the United States, before returning to Canada.

Outside the classroom, Professor Bing continues to work on hands-on projects, including a self-funded robotics lab focused on automated welding systems and motion planning. His passion for innovation closely mirrors his dedication to teaching, which he describes as deeply personal. “To use my own expertise to help others solve their problems or to help others learn, this is a great achievement for me,” he explained.

That commitment shows in his teaching style. Professor Bing places a strong emphasis on preparation and student engagement, especially in courses that students may initially find intimidating. “I don’t want to waste the students’ money and time,” he said. “When students question me or challenge me, that means they are learning.” He actively encourages participation through demonstrations, interactive questions, and memorable examples, including smashing a soccer ball against the wall to explain engineering concepts.

Many students also recognize Professor Bing for his use of incentives, particularly chocolates or candies. Whether it is a KitKat for answering a question or candy to wake up a sleepy lecture hall, these moments are intentionally designed. “I devote myself to teaching,” he said. “I try to put myself in the students’ shoes, because I was a student myself. I know how boring a course can feel if the instructor is not engaged.”

When asked what advice he would give to first-year students, Professor Bing kept it simple and honest. “Work hard,” he said. He encourages students to focus on learning deeply rather than overloading themselves with too many courses, and to build strong relationships with their professors. “When you climb higher, you have more options,” he explained. “Interacting with professors equips you with more tools for your future.”

Professor Bing mentioned his close relationship with his students. He also shared a little fun fact that students may appreciate, and that is professors enjoy snow days too. “Not only students hope for class cancellations during big snowfalls,” he said. “Professors like that too,” noting how inconvenient commuting to campus can be during heavy winter weather.

Getting to know Professor Bing reminds us that great teaching is built on effort, empathy, and genuine care for student success. Be sure to check back next week for another edition of Know Your Professor With Zhyryn, where we continue highlighting the faculty members who shape our university experience, one conversation at a time.