By Jordan Kwong
PIQ Prompt 6: Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.
As I toured the Missouri biotechnological Bayer facility as a rising sophomore, a small display caught my eye. A lifeless, discolored soybean plant sat next to its thriving, vibrant counterpart—both from the same species. The difference? Genetic modification. Seeing the potential of plant biology in such a tangible way sparked a flood of questions in my mind: How exactly do these modifications work? Could they solve bigger agricultural issues? The more I learned about the process, the deeper my curiosity grew.
To feed this curiosity, I sought hands-on experience. At 16 years old, I landed a job at my local garden center as a nursery advisor. Every day, I absorbed valuable knowledge from my coworkers, learning about plant varieties, care techniques, and biological processes. Even still, I knew I was barely scratching the surface of plant biology.
I continued on, furthering my interest by attending plant-related summer programs. Last summer, I participated in an agricultural biotechnology camp at Purdue. There, I explored biochemistry experiments and biotechnology labs. I even toured a Syngenta plant breeding facility, where I learned how genetic modification can address drought, pest, and disease challenges. The same summer, I traveled down to South Texas to participate in the USDA’s AgDiscovery camp. I studied plant traits and bioremediation practices, expanding my understanding of how biotechnology could shape the future of agriculture. These experiences cemented my belief that plant biology holds the key to solving the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
I emerged from that summer enlightened on plant biology’s potential, inspired to share my newfound knowledge with the community. As founding president of my school’s plant club, I organized meetings to educate members on plant varieties and diseases. Wanting others to experience the same excitement I had felt, I provided materials for members to grow their own plants. Additionally, I’ve written articles in my school newspaper, The Shield, advocating for the sustainability of genetic modification and the benefits of owning plants. Moving forward, I hope to continue promoting and deepening my knowledge of plant biology in college, with the goal of using it to contribute to sustainable agricultural solutions.