Dr. Wai-Foong Hong

I aim to teach in a way that enables the students to understand the concepts thoroughly, be able to analyze the issues critically and gain an ability to apply knowledge in practical ways. In addition, it is important that students understand that a significant part of gaining knowledge occurs through experience, by a series of practical (experimental) works.

I find it very rewarding working with students, promoting their growth both professionally and personally. I believe that bringing out the best from the students is a way to love God and my neighbors. It is also essential to ensure the students feel encouraged and cared for during their learning process.My professional research interests include plant molecular biology and microbiology. Recent research projects at Sterling College are related to the impact of changing local weather patterns on different wheat varieties. This genetic study is enabling a better choice of wheat varieties for the local farmers.

Publications

Palumbo, R., Hong, W. F., Hu, J., Craig, R., Locke, J., Krause, C., Tay, D. and Wang, G. L. 2007. Target Region Amplification Polymorphis (TRAP) as a tool for detecting genetic variation in genetic variation in the genus Pelagonium. HortScience 42(5):1118-1123

Hong, W. F., He, C. Z., Wang, L .J., Wang, D. J., Joseph, L. M., and Wang, G. L., 2007 BWMK1 Responds to Multiple Environmental Stresses and Plant Hormones. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology49 (6): 843-851

Kakani, A., Chitteti, B., Hong, W. F. and Peng, Z. P.  2007 Developing a method for quantitative comparison of molecular reporters among individual cells and determining the auxin level required for cell dedifferentiation in Arabidopsis. Botany and Plant biology Joint congress July 7-11, conference abstract.

Kakani, A., Hong, W. F., and Peng Z. P. 2006. Role of Auxin in Cell Dedifferentiation. The Annual meeting of The American Society of Plant Biologists. Boston, August 5-9, Conference abstract.

Oberhofer, A., Hong, W. F., and Peng, Z. P. 2006. Characterization of a cell dedifferentiation mutant in Arabidopsis. ASBMB Annual Meeting and Centennial Celebration. San Francisco, April 1-5, Conference Abstract.

Hong, W. F., Kakani, A., and Peng, Z. P. 2005. Genetic and Pharmacological Dissection of the Pathways Regulating Cell Dedifferentiation in Arabidopsis. The Annual meeting of The American Society of Plant Biologists. Seattle, July 16-20, - Conference abstract, page 677

Hong, W. F., He, C. Z., Wang, L .J., Wang, D. J., Joseph, L. M., and Wang, G. L., 2003 BWMK1, A Map Kinase Regulating Responses To Multiple Biotic and Abiotic Stresses in Rice, Plant and Animal Genome XI, San Diego, CA, USA, - Conference Abstract, page 276

Hong, W. F., He, C. Z., Joseph, L. M., Wang, D. J., and Wang, G. L. 2000.  Identification of a blast defense-related gene in rice (Oryza Sativa L.), NIAR-COE/BRAIN/CREST Joint International Symposium, Tsukuba, Japan, - Conference Abstract, page 17

Hong, W. F., and Krishnapillai, V. 1999 Genome organization of Ralstonia (Pseudomonas)solanacearum.  Pseudomonas 99: Biotechnology and Pathogenesis Conference.  Maui, Hawaii, 1-5 Sept, - Conference Abstract. 

Hong, W. F., Krishnapillai, V. and Holloway, B. W.  Whole genome analysis of Ralstonia (Pseudomonas)solanacearum AW1 Ph.D Thesis, Biological Sciences (Genetics and Developmental Biology), Monash University, Australia, June 1999

Hong, W. F., and Krishnapillai, V. 1997.  DNA sequence analysis of a conserved chromosomal segment of a bacterial plant pathogen.  Genetics Society of Australia Annual Conference.  Perth, Australia, - Conference Abstract, page 36

Opina, N., Tavner, F., Hollway, G., Wang, J-F., Li, T-H., Maghirang, R., Fegan, M., Hayward, A. C., Krishnapillai, V., Hong, W.F., Holloway, B. W. and Timmis, J. N.  1997.  A novel method for development of species and strain-specific DNA probes and PCR primers for identifying Burkholderia solanacearum (Formerly Pseudomonas solanacearum).  Asia Pacific Journal of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology 5(1):19-30.

Hsu, S. T., Hong, W. F., Tzeng, K. C. and Chen, C. C.  1993.  Bacterial wilt of Perilla.  Plant Disease 77(7):674-677

Hartman, G. L., Hong, W. F., Hanudin, and Hayward, A. C.  1992.  Potential of biological and chemical control of bacterial wilt.  In: International Bacterial Wilt Symposium.  Kaohsiung, Taiwan.  Bacterial Wilt.  ACIAR Proceedings No. 45, 322-326.

Hartman, G. L., Huang, Y. H. and Hong, W. F.  1992.  Interaction of Pseudomonas solanacearum and Phytophthora capsici on peppers.  In: International Bacterial Wilt Symposium.  Kaohsiung, Taiwan.  Bacterial Wilt.  ACIAR Proceedings No. 45, 348-351.

Hong, W. F., Hsu, S. T. and Tzeng, K. C.