Name: Hui Kang
Title: PhD candidate
Place of Work or School: Biological Sciences Department, Northern Illinois University
Research Area: I am doing research on the relationship among plant MADS-box genes, plant hormones, and plant development by using tomato JOINTLESS gene as a model. By understanding this relationship, I am hoping to figure out why MADS-box genes play important roles in diverse plant development processes such as abscission zone development, fruit ripening and development, meristem determinacy, and flower development.
Member since: 2007

1. Why has being a member of ASPB been important to you?
It gives me a sense that I am connected to the professional network. Plus, it also gives me access to two of the most important journals in plant biology: The Plant Cell and Plant Physiology.

2. Was someone instrumental in getting you to join ASPB?
No, I found it myself and immediately joined online.

3. What would you tell colleagues to encourage them to join?
I tell my colleagues that the American Society of Plant Biologists is a very supportive community and that they can always find someone to exchange and share research ideas. Being a member also gives you other perks such as reduced fees for the ASPB annual meeting and access to The Plant Cell and Plant Physiology.

4. Have you enhanced your career using ASPB job postings or through networking at an ASPB function?
Yes. I have attended two ASPB annual meetings now. I am very glad that I had the opportunity to get to know some researchers in my field and establish connections with them. Also, because I am graduating as a PhD student, I am paying very close attention to the job postings from the ASPB website. Although I am still looking for my ideal position, I can say that the ASPB website is the best place to look for job postings that are related to plant biology.

5. Have you had any success at finding candidates as a result of a job posting at the meeting or via our online Job Bank?
No, I am not in that position now, but it would definitely be helpful to those people who are in a hiring position.

6. Do you read print journals? If so, where do you usually read them?
I seldom read print journals now unless the paper I am interested in is too old to have an online version. In that case, I will go to the library to make a hard copy of it.

7. What do you think is the next “big thing” in plant biology?
Biofuel. With less and less fossil fuel resources, it is urgent for us to find an alternative energy source now.

8. What person, living or deceased, do you most admire?
I don’t have a particular person that I admire most. I think everyone is worth admiring if you look carefully enough.

9. What are you reading these days?
Besides the books that are related to my career, I like to read about lots of different topics, such as psychology, philosophy, spirituality, and Eastern and Western culture comparison.

10. What are your hobbies?
I like reading a lot. I also like to travel to see different places and meet different people. These activities enrich my life.

11. What is your most treasured possession?
My books. More accurately, I should say it is the knowledge from the books that I have read because it stimulates my imagination and extends my experiences.

12. What do you still have left to learn?
To be myself.