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: Guichuan Hou
Title: Research Microscopist
Place of Work or School: Center for Biotechnology, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Research Area: Plant developmental and cell biology
Member since: 2002

1. Why has being a member of ASPB been important?
ASPB has provided excellent opportunities for me to learn from and to interact with other colleagues. The annual meeting and electronic publications at the ASPB website always help me keep up with new findings and ideas in plant biology.

2. Was someone instrumental in getting you to join ASPB?
Dr. Elison Blancaflor, the adviser for my postdoctoral research at The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, encouraged me to join ASPB and attend the 2002 Plant Biology Meeting in Denver. I am glad that he helped me get started with ASPB.

3. What would you tell colleagues to encourage them to join?
My own experience attests that by being a member of ASPB, you can anticipate great opportunities to learn and to interact with other members of the plant biology community. The ASPB network functions very well in providing every member with the latest technology and research breakthroughs. Everyone in ASPB is enthusiastic and always ready to help. And if that isn’t enough, please go to http://www.aspb.org for further information.

4. Have you enhanced your career using ASPB job postings or through networking at an ASPB function?
Not yet. But I am sure I will do so in the future.

5. Have you had any success at finding candidates as a result of a job posting at the meeting or on our online Job Bank?
No.

6. Do you read print journals? If so, where do you usually read them?
Not really any more. Our libraries at UNL have subscriptions for many electronic journals. I browse and read every recent issue of electronic journals relevant to my research and interest. But I do print out papers of great interest so that I can review them when time allows.

7. What do you think is the next “big thing” in plant biology?
I would think to “map” gene(s) to developmental processes and pattern formations in plant model species. I am also excited that comparative biology has developed to the genomic level and will extend beyond.

8. What person, living or deceased, do you most admire?
That is my master’s adviser Li Yanghan, professor emeritus at the College of Life Sciences of Nanjing Agricultural University, China. He is kind as a person, serious as a scientist, and humorous as a friend. I still play Tai Chi and exercise regularly, which is one of several important lessons I learned from him.

9. What are you reading these days?
Beyond my field, I am reading a book and papers on alternative medicines.

10. What are your hobbies?
I enjoy playing basketball and riding my bicycle. As mentioned above, I practice Tai Chi regularly.

11. What is your most treasured possession?
A great memory of many stories that my father told me when I was a child.

12. What do you still have left to learn?
There is always too much to learn! Beyond science, I need to learn how to be a better father and friend to my two boys.