Learning and Exploring

  Dr. Soo- Chen Cheng studied chemistry as major in the university, and joined Dr. Tong- Bi Lo’s research program in the fourth year. This was the time Dr. Cheng became interested in the area of biochemistry, which she wanted to devote more efforts into. Dr. Cheng decided to study more about it aboard, and was expecting to gain more new life experiences.

With courage that comes from inexperience, Dr. Cheng applied to Duke University in America where there were only a few Chinese students to study biochemistry. She was expecting for different life experience, but she did struggle a lot during her first year. There were problems such as adjusting different customs and language, pressure from school and subjects, and the unfamiliarity of hostile life. After a year, Dr. Cheng moved away from the dormitory and began her research thesis in the laboratory. During the time in the laboratory, Dr. Cheng found it inspiring and satisfying about learning and exploring, which made her determined to keep on researching as her future career.

The Enlightens

   Besides Dr. Tong- Bi Lo, Professor 摩德理查is one of the scholars that have influenced Dr. Cheng the most. He is an expert in biochemistry which specializes in the interaction of nucleic acid and proteins, and the identification of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) by restriction enzyme.

   Professor 摩德理查 is a rigorous person when doing an experiment. Dr. Cheng had once spent three months for doing a simple experiment to be approved by the professor. This builds up the strict and cautious attitude of Dr. Cheng in researching.

 Dr. Cheng specializes in the molecular mechanism of the pre-mRNA splicing reaction. “Before human body makes protein, RNA is produced first. After the combination of RNA there are still many extra sequences to be removed. This is known as splicing. If the splicing does not work well, the genotype will be different and affect the development of the cells, which might leads to mutation.”

Dr. Cheng joined Professor Albertson for master research in the California Institute of Technology. Professor Albertson is the pioneer of molecular mechanism of the pre-mRNA splicing reaction. Here, Dr. Cheng has learned to compete, corporate, and progress at the same time with other outstanding scientists.

Passing down the Values

   After returning to Taiwan in 1988, Dr. Cheng continued with her research in Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taiwan. With her experiences and rigorousness, the research has developed well throughout the years. Dr. Cheng often reminds the students “to devote full efforts once you decide to participate”, which passes down the right attitude and principles of researching. She believes that the most satisfaction for her is to witness the students progressing and fulfilling the goals.