What brought you to UGA? A group of world-class plant scientists.
What are your research/study interests? My research interest is to study the origins of root architecture diversity in crops. By combining knowledge from biology, statistics, and computer science:
(1) I develop a computing pipeline to describe and measure the diversity of root architectures using mathematical shape descriptors.
(2) I dissect the genetic components that regulate root architectures under water-sufficient and drought conditions.
(3) I question whether the maternal effect of seed size and kin recognition of root neighbors contribute to root architecture diversity.
What has been a benefit of being part of IPS?/How did it help you select your program? IPS program allows students to experience three labs that they are interested to work in. By interacting with fellow graduates and PIs during my three rotations, I am grateful and happy to choose the one that most suits my interest and personality.
What are your career goals? My primary goal is to be a professor at a research university. If my primary goal does not work out, my second goal is to be a data scientist in the industry. As long as my work that beneficial to humans’ well-being and build a better world for the current and next-generation, I embrace any career opportunity that life brings to me.
Who is your major professor? Dr. Alexander Bucksch