A MU sophomore Joined the Stacey Lab for a Summer Research Internship

During the 2015 summer, our lab welcomed Yia Yang, a sophomore in Biological Sciences at MU. Yia spent two months in the lab conducting laboratory experiments, as well as participating in our soybean field research program. As is our practice, Yia was a full member of the lab, participating in all lab activities from lake parties to our weekly lab meeting. His major research focus was on utilizing NIR (Near Infrared spectroscopy) to analyze the oil, protein and carbohydrate content of various fast-neutron induced soybean mutants. He presented his work at the Undergraduate Research Achievement Poster session held at the Christopher Bond Life Sciences Center on July 30, 2015

Yia presents his poster on NIR to an audience

The following paragraphs are Yia’s feelings and experiences during his 2-month internship in the Stacey Lab:“My name is Yia Yang and I was a summer intern in the Stacey’s lab at the University of Missouri. My internship was funded through the National Science Foundation. Last year, I was a freshman in the Stacey’s lab in the Freshman Research in Plant Science (FRIPS) program. So I decided to stay in the Stacey lab to continue my research experience.

During my summer internship, I worked with Kyle Paddock, Cuong X Nguyen, and Bing Stacey. Most of my work took place in the field, greenhouse, and at the Bay Farm research facility. I assisted Cuong X. Nguyen in making pots for soybean plants, collecting soybean tissues, and hand planting. I worked closely with Kyle in planting soybeans in the field, going through seeds in the seed room, and managing the field. My main project was to use Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR) to screen mutant soybean seeds for oil and protein content. Then, with the help of Kyle and Bing Stacey, I learned to analyze the data that I got from the NIR.

The most exciting thing that I enjoyed learning through this experience was being able to make a poster, write an abstract, analyze data and talk with people about plant science. Everyone in the Stacey lab welcomed me to the family. They all are very helpful and I enjoyed being around them. I want to thank everyone who helped make this experience happen. I look forward to continue my work in the Stacey lab in the upcoming years.”