Hengping Xu

As a Chinese American, I worked at several international research labs in plant biology before starting my recent PhD study in University of Oklahoma. This experience laid me a solid background in biochemistry and molecular biology. My current supervisor is Professor Dr. Scott Russell, one of well-known world leaders in the research field of plant reproduction. Under his supervision, I am studying the function and regulation of cell cycle control genes in the early embryo-genesis of Oryza sativa L, the earliest step for rice production. In order to reveal the molecular mechanism underlying the cell-cycle control in the initiation of rice seed formation, we have to carry out a number of important experiments, one of which is what I proposed for the rice transformation. The new finding from this effort will be exciting and beneficial to our society. Unfortunately, the main challenge we are faced with is the insufficient fund. Therefore, any of your support will be greatly appreciated and rewarded in the long run.

September 2016