Name: Yan Lu
Title: Postdoctoral Research Associate
Place of Work or School: Michigan State University, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Research Area: Plant Metabolism, Plant Physiology, and Systems Biology
Member since: 2003

1. Why has being a member of ASPB been important to you?
As a young scientist, it is necessary to be part of some scientific organizations. For many plant biologists, including myself, ASPB is THE society! This society provides opportunities, mostly through annual meetings, for me to present my research to fellow scientists in the same fields, to receive intellectual feedback from other plant scientists, to learn what other plant biologists are doing, and to understand applications of most recent technologies in plant science.

2. Was someone instrumental in getting you to join ASPB?
Dr. Tom Sharkey encouraged me to join ASPB when I was a graduate student in his laboratory at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

3. What would you tell colleagues to encourage them to join?
I know a few postdocs and graduate students who haven’t join yet. I would tell them that being a member of ASPB is important for their career. There are networking opportunities with other plant scientists through various ASPB functions, and a big discount when they register for the annual meeting!

4. Have you enhanced your career using ASPB job postings or through networking at an ASPB function?
Although I haven’t used ASPB job postings yet, I have been actively interacting with other plant scientists at various ASPB functions, such as lunches, dinners, and poster sessions. I believe these activities will enhance my career.

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?
I have not yet used job postings or the Job Bank to look for candidates. However, once I have my own research group, hopefully in the next few years, I will certainly use these resources to post jobs.

6. Do you read print journals? If so, where do you usually read them?
I read Plant Physiology, The Plant Cell, and Science in the computer/coffee room while I am having lunch. When I read something that I should take note of, I print out the articles.

7. What do you think is the next “big thing” in plant biology?
I think applicable biotechnologies for increasing bioenergy and biofuel yield, roles of small RNAs in various plant pathways, and large-scale analyses of gene functions are the “current” big things in plant biology. It is a difficult for me to name the “next” big things, though.

8. What person, living or deceased, do you most admire?
I admire everyone that had or has a positive influence on somebody else; everyone that made or makes this world a better place to live. In the end, personal fame doesn’t count; what you have contributed to society counts.

9. What are you reading these days?
I love to read classical Chinese literature.

10. What are your hobbies?
I enjoy biking, playing badminton, and gardening. I cherish every moment with my baby girl, Janelle.

11. What is your most treasured possession?
My baby girl and my husband are my most treasured possessions.

12. What do you still have left to learn?
As a young plant scientist, I need to learn how to write a grant proposal, how to manage a lab, and so on. As a new mother, I need to learn how to be a great parent while having a successful career. As a person, learning is part of my everyday life.