Pill-Soon Song
Encyclopedia
Pill-Soon Song is a professor in Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea. Song specializes in molecular photobiology
. He worked on the structure-function relation of phytochrome
s and other photoreceptor
s including stentorin and blepharismin. Presently, his research revolves around the molecular mechanisms involved in overexpression of phytochrome and its related genes in turfgrass
and other plant species. Acknowledging his contributions to photobiology, he was elected as Editor-in-Chief for the American Society for Photobiology
journal, Photochemistry and Photobiology
(1975–1994) and received the Finsen Medal in 2009 awarded by the International Union of Photobiology.
, Japan, he studied agricultural chemistry
(Bachelor of Science
, 1958) at Seoul National University
. and pursued postgraduate studies, receiving a (Master of Science
, 1960) at Seoul National University
. He received his Ph.D from University of California
in 1964. After a post-doctoral research fellowship at Iowa State University
under Prof. David E. Metzler from 1964–65, he then joined Texas Tech Univ, Lubbock, Texas, USA as Assistant Professor in Chemistry.
Photobiology
Photobiology is the scientific study of the interactions of light and living organisms. The field includes the study of photosynthesis, photomorphogenesis, visual processing, circadian rhythms, bioluminescence, and ultraviolet radiation effects...
. He worked on the structure-function relation of phytochrome
Phytochrome
Phytochrome is a photoreceptor, a pigment that plants use to detect light. It is sensitive to light in the red and far-red region of the visible spectrum. Many flowering plants use it to regulate the time of flowering based on the length of day and night and to set circadian rhythms...
s and other photoreceptor
Photoreceptor
A photoreceptor cell is a specialized type of neuron found in the eye's retina that is capable of phototransduction. The great biological importance of photoreceptors is that they convert light into signals that can stimulate biological processes...
s including stentorin and blepharismin. Presently, his research revolves around the molecular mechanisms involved in overexpression of phytochrome and its related genes in turfgrass
Lawn
A lawn is an area of aesthetic and recreational land planted with grasses or other durable plants, which usually are maintained at a low and consistent height. Low ornamental meadows in natural landscaping styles are a contemporary option of a lawn...
and other plant species. Acknowledging his contributions to photobiology, he was elected as Editor-in-Chief for the American Society for Photobiology
American Society for Photobiology
The American Society for Photobiology is a scientific society for the promotion of research in photobiology, integration of different photobiology disciplines, dissemination of photobiology knowledge, and provides information on photobiological aspects of national and international...
journal, Photochemistry and Photobiology
Photochemistry and Photobiology
Photochemistry and Photobiology is a peer-reviewed scientific journal that publishes original research papers, rapid communications, research notes, technical notes, invited articles, and reviews covering photochemistry and photobiology...
(1975–1994) and received the Finsen Medal in 2009 awarded by the International Union of Photobiology.
Life and education
Born in OsakaOsaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
, Japan, he studied agricultural chemistry
Agricultural chemistry
Agricultural chemistry is the study of both chemistry and biochemistry which are important in agricultural production, the processing of raw products into foods and beverages, and in environmental monitoring and remediation...
(Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
, 1958) at Seoul National University
Seoul National University
Seoul National University , colloquially known in Korean as Seoul-dae , is a national research university in Seoul, Korea, ranked 24th in the world in publications in an analysis of data from the Science Citation Index, 7th in Asia and 42nd in the world by the 2011 QS World University Rankings...
. and pursued postgraduate studies, receiving a (Master of Science
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
, 1960) at Seoul National University
Seoul National University
Seoul National University , colloquially known in Korean as Seoul-dae , is a national research university in Seoul, Korea, ranked 24th in the world in publications in an analysis of data from the Science Citation Index, 7th in Asia and 42nd in the world by the 2011 QS World University Rankings...
. He received his Ph.D from University of California
University of California
The University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...
in 1964. After a post-doctoral research fellowship at Iowa State University
Iowa State University
Iowa State University of Science and Technology, more commonly known as Iowa State University , is a public land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa, United States. Iowa State has produced astronauts, scientists, and Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, along with a host of...
under Prof. David E. Metzler from 1964–65, he then joined Texas Tech Univ, Lubbock, Texas, USA as Assistant Professor in Chemistry.
Awards and honors
Among Song's awards and honours are:- 1975-1987 Paul Whitfield Horn Professorship, Texas Tech Univ., Lubbock, TX
- 1978 Faculty Distinguished Published Research Award, Texas Tech Univ. DADS Association & Hemphill Wells Foundation, Plaque and Award
- 1979 Faculty Research Award, College of Arts and Sciences, Texas Tech Univ., Lubbock, TX, Plaque and Award
- 1990-2003 Dow Chemical Company Distinguished Professorship, UNL
- 1991 Outstanding Research Award, American Society for Photobiology (based on work published through 1989/90)
- 1996 Member (Elected), Korean Academy of Science and Technology
- 1996 Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award, 90th Anniversary of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National Univ., October,1997
- 1997 Life Member (Elected), Korean Academy of Science and Technology
- 1997 Outstanding Research Achievement Medal, European Society for Photobiology, presented at the 1997 ESP Congress, Stresa, Italy, September, 1997.
- 1998 Univ. of Hasanuddin Univ. Presidential Medal, Photobiology Contributions, Ujung Pandang, Indonesia, September, 1998
- 2000 Lifetime Achievement Award, American Society for Photobiology/13th International Congress on Photobiology, San Francisco, July 1–6, 2000
- 2000 Outstanding Research and Creative Activity Award, State of Nebraska/Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, March 29, 2000
- 2000 Ho-Am Prize in ScienceHo-Am Prize in ScienceWinners of the Ho-Am Prize in Science :* 1991: Sang-Kyu Kyong* 1992: Jihn E. Kim* 1993: Choong-Ki Kim* 1994: Sung-Hou Kim* 1995: Sue-Goo Rhee* 1996: Won-Yong Lee* 1997: Hyuk Yu* 1998: Peter S. Kim...
, The Ho-Am Foundation/Samsung Corporation, June 1, 2000 - 2007 Outstanding Alumnus, Hall of Fame, Seoul Natl Univ. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- 2009 Finsen Medal in Photobiology, International Union of Photobiology, June 18, 2009