Isaiah Kam

• SOAR Position: Member
• Major: Biology with a concentration in Genetics and Biotechnology
• Faculty Mentor(s): Dr. Iris Gao

Current Focus: Extraction of sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua L.), a medicinal plant, and evaluation of its terpene content

Additional Interests: Genetics research, whether that is human or plant specific

Project Description

Working in the Gao lab my current role has taken on several projects, each studying various plant species. In our lab we use various techniques such as plant tissue culturing, developing botanical extracts, and cultivating ginseng. My previous project studied the annual herb sweet wormwood, and we identified if its medicinal properties had potential antifungal activities through extraction and working with fungal cultures.

Why does this topic interest you?

Being someone interested in the plant sciences and sustainability I wanted to join a research lab that encompasses a variety of disciplines. Working in the lab I have learned new skills and gained knowledge on numerous plant species.

What are your professional aspirations?

After graduating with my bachelor’s, I hope to pursue a Doctor of Audiology (AuD) and become an audiologist.

Do you have any advice for future researchers?

Coming from community college and transferring in my junior year, I felt behind and anxious about research. This was a whole new field for me, and I did not know what to expect. Despite having many interests, I decided to focus on plant sciences throughout my undergraduate research journey. My advice is to explore lab directories with an idea or topic that fascinates you, and don't be afraid to reach out to a mentor and join a lab that excites you. It can be easy to compare your research journey and projects to someone else but remember that everyone's path is different. Just by trying, you are doing something impactful!

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