Shan Li
Explorer of Plant Life
Shan Li
I am pursuing a graduate degree in plant physiology, an interdepartmental program. I received my bachelor degree and graduated from China Agricultural University in July 2007.
I became interested in plants as a child, but it was in high school that I began to consider a career in this area. I witnessed a horrible grasshopper attack in my hometown, which resulted in severe crop output reduction that year. This experience precipitated my notion to study plants. I hope to cultivate such plants that can survive adverse environments.
In year 2003 I entered China Agricultural University to study biological sciences. Four years of college studies have provided me a solid background in biology. As the unifying link to elucidate the mechanisms of life, genes hold special fascination for me. I participated in some research work about expression of modified Bt genes in transgenic plants, which stimulated my passion to study plant genetics and molecular biology.
Studying in a new country is an eye-opening experience. I am excited to be admitted into Iowa State University and the Agronomy Research Training Fellowship Program. What I appreciate most about agronomy is that it emphasizes both basic research and application. It would be a great joy to see the transformation of basic theory into common production practices. In addition, it is practically useful in solving the wide array of problems in food, fiber and energy that are facing the world today. We can use biological means to modify plants and the environment to fight disease and improve yield.
This Fellowship program will allow me to obtain a strong research experience and encourage me to actively interact with people in different areas of agronomic sciences. The eminent faculty and the versatile educational doctoral program will definitely bring out the best in me. I am now working with Dr. Madan Bhattacharyya on the molecular basis of soybean-pathogen interaction. I hope my work will benefit society someday.
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