ASPB members share a common goal of promoting the growth, development, and outreach of plant biology as a pure and applied science. This column features some of the dedicated and innovative members of ASPB who believe that membership in our Society is crucial to the future of plant biology. If you are interested in contributing to this feature, please contact ASPB Membership at info@aspb.org.

Membership Corner

Name: Ning Jiang
Title: Assistant Professor
Place of Work: Michigan State University
Research Area: Plant Transposable Elements
Member since: 2002

1. Why has being a member of ASPB been important?
This is something psychological. To me, ASPB is the home for plant biologists, and I need a home.

2. Was someone instrumental in getting you to join ASPB?
Not really. I was an international student, and I was struggling to survive for the first few years, mainly because of the language problem and culture shock. Within that period I didn’t know how long I was going to stay in the United States, so I didn’t bother to join ASPB. By 2002 I was about to get my PhD degree, and I decided to stay in the States for my postdoctoral study. Then I thought I should become a member of ASPB, and I did. I believe many international students have a similar experience, and I hope that professors put more effort into understanding their international students to help them adapt.

3. What would you tell colleagues to encourage them to join?
I’d tell them that this is the best way to interact with other scientists in all plant areas, master new knowledge about plants, and enjoy the practical benefits such as discounts for meetings and products.

4. Have you enhanced your career using ASPB job postings or through networking at an ASPB function?
No, I used the Careers website associated with the journal Science, which is a very comprehensive website for job posting.

5. Have you had any success at finding candidates as a result of a job posting at the Plant Biology meeting or on our online Job Bank?
No, I have not needed to use these resources.

6. Do you read print journals? If so, where do you usually read them?
Yes, I read Plant Physiology, The Plant Cell, Science, and Nature Genetics Review. I read them when I am at home or when I am waiting for a doctor’s appointment.

7. What do you think is the next “big thing” in plant biology?
To me, breakthroughs in science are always accompanied by advances in technology. I think the next big thing in plant biology will be the artificial chromosome that can be the stable component of the genome. In this case, one can deliver as many genes as he or she would like to a known genome or even make an artificial plant.

8. What person, living or deceased, do you most admire?
When I was a kid, I admired Olympic champions. After I started my undergraduate study, I began to admire famous scientists. Right now the person I admire most is Barbara McClintock, who first identified transposable elements. What touched me most is not her achievement in science. Instead, it is her confidence to continue her study when few people could understand her. Fortunately, she lived long enough to win the Nobel Prize and the respect of the public.

9. What are you reading these days?
I am reading I Wish I’d Made You Angry Earlier by Max Perutz, which is a collection of essays on science and scientists.

10. What are your hobbies?
I like outdoor activities like jogging, hiking, or simply enjoying the sun. In addition, I like knitting; I used to make sweaters for my family. I can’t afford to do that anymore because my job and my child keep me pretty busy.

11. What is your most treasured possession?
I prefer not to tell.

12. What do you still have left to learn?
This is an interesting question because it makes me feel that I must have already learned a lot. However, that is not necessarily true. As a scientist, I think biology is much more knowledge-based than any other science, so one might have sufficient knowledge for a certain project, but he will never have too much knowledge for the big picture. Actually, the more we learn, the more unknowns appear, and the more is left to learn or to discover. In the near future, I would like to learn more about evolutionary biology and biochemistry.