Written by Regina Ender
Biochemistry Senior Brian Soong feels most joyful when he is solving problems. He has a knack for honing in on an issue and evaluating it from every angle until he has conquered it. As a fellow of APU’s Student-to-Scholar program, Brian works with expert faculty members who expand his academic experiences and refine his skills as a researcher.
Soong’s ability for high level problem solving and analysis has provided him the opportunity to participate in substantial research projects. Soong has worked with his faculty mentor, Dr. Charles Chen, on a research project entitled, “High mesophyll conductance in a high-yielding rice cultivar Takanari with a new photosynthesis measurement system under free-air CO2 enrichment". The research has been submitted to the journal Plant Production Science and is currently under review. Dr. Chen and Soong worked with a professor from another university and are both listed as co-authors on the manuscript.
In addition, Soong has had the opportunity to travel to Japan with Dr. Chen and participate in a research project entitled, "Interactive effect of elevated [CO2] and nitrogen supply on leaf biochemistry in two contrasting rice varieties". The research was done for the Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences (NIAES), which is the core institute of the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) in Japan. The research has potential implications for Japanese agriculture and food production efficiency. Soong will showcase this research during APU’s STEM Research Symposium on Saturday, September 29th.
Soong credits his professors with helping him succeed in his efforts to become a quality scientist. While at APU Brian has relied on faculty as academic and personal mentors. His relationship is particularly special with Dr. Chen who compassionately challenges him to face obstacles and helps him embody being a Christian scholar.
After he graduates in May, Soong plans to further his education with a doctoral degree and pursue a career in pharmacology.
Words of Wisdom: “Work hard, it’ll be worth it in the end.”
