1.      Motivation

During my upcoming years, if I could contribute to the well being of human beings with my research, then a Nobel Prize would be my objective and source for dedication for life. When I studied graduate school at the National Taiwan University, my focus was on how to effectively monitor and reuse greenhouse emissions. My thesis received the highest acclaim from the Taipei City Government, which applied my recommendations into the recycling project of Shanchuku Cave’s burying fields and future policies on garbage handling(g-9)(g-10). Using high-density combustive methane as a source of electricity not only lowered the greenhouse effect, but also reduced the city government’s garbage handling cost by between NT$10 million to NT$20 million. Most importantly, the local government further implemented the garbage classification system(g-2) in July of 2000.

I have been glad to see the city government and peoples’ respect for environment protection, but have also realized with chagrin the increasing degradation of the living conditions of Taiwan, like the excessive reclamation of mountainous areas; illegal quarrying of stones in riverbeds; and the uncontrolled emission of industrial pollutants. Furthermore, there are these serious, critical and on-going issues about how Taiwan can cooperate with the world in ensuring the sustained management of the earth as well as the recycling of resources. Your institution, on the other hand, is renowned for your stringent and highly reputable research findings in the territory of environmental protection. This has added fuel to my pursuit of a Ph.D. in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric  Sciences.

2.      Education Background

My major in university did not inspire my research interests. However, relying on my superb performances in basic courses, like Physics, Chemistry and Calculus, I was accepted to the Graduate School of Biochemistry at the University of National Defense, Graduate School of Agricultural Chemistry at National Taiwan University, and the Graduate School of Biochemistry at National Yang Ming University with the highest, second highest and third highest marks respectively. Using my interests and abilities as forces of motivation, I produced 8 papers between 1996 and 2000, which were published in 6 different Chinese and English journals, including Food Sci. Agri. Chem, 2:7-14(2000). Please refer to my attachment.

3.      Extracurricular Activities and Community Services

The scope of my participation in community activities was broad and diversified, which included academic (Natural Ecology Protection Society, Debating Research Society(g-5); servicing (Community Services Society, departmental student association); and performing (Chorus Group, Guitar Society). I also organized many inter-university debating and sports competitions. During my spare time, I regularly traveled to senior high schools in Southern Taiwan (like Wenhua Senior High) to act as a volunteer teacher on logic and debating activities. I hoped to induce an element of inspiration into young students in every interacting opportunity. In addition, when I was studying graduate school, I sought to do something about the lack of interest in Chemistry displayed by some university freshmen. I started writing a teaching material on “Chemistry and Life”, drawing inferences from our everyday life and representing them by simple examples, graphics and texts. My objective was for students to approach Chemistry in a more relaxed manner. Fortunately, I received the financial support from Archilife Research Foundation and the material was printed in 1998. When I served as a lecturer at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, I tired to express my environment protection concepts in mass communication. Furthermore, during my military service, I did not forget about promoting the notions of sustained management of the earth by continuously contributing to the nuclear biochemistry quarterly of the military.

4.      Research Experience

Since the beginning of my summer vacations in my sophomore semester in university, I joined the Chemistry Laboratory for Food Analysis and participated in the structural analysis and assessment of the purity and properties of proteases. During the process, I practically operated the Ion-Exchange Chromatography, Gel Filtration Chromatography, Two-Dimensional Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis of Protein. Moreover, I mixed proteases into the processing of soy sauce and was actually able to reduce the fragmentation time and enhance the flavor. In graduate school, on top of learning the importance of teamwork in my regular laboratory work, I was also able to optimistically and efficiently provide solutions to the problems encountered in projects, like the research on the selection and properties of high-temperature bacteria; study on the micro-organisms on the Tataka mountain region; and the world environment migration project sponsored by the National Science Council. Worthy of note was that I established Taiwan’s first Gas-FTIR (Fourier Transform Infra Red) system’s (g-3)(g-4)remote detection method. I was also able to locate the connectivity between closed-system and open-system in analytical computer diagrams. Finally, after a comparison of the data and GC-Chamber, I discovered the relevant factors and successfully applied them towards the on-site monitoring of wetlands,(g-6)(g-7) landfills(g-8) and paddy fields(g-1).

5.      Career Plan

Since my childhood days, I have been harboring a profound admiration for firemen captains and university professors. The former puts personal safety behind in saving lives; the latter places the survival of the nation at the highest priority. After obtaining my Ph.D., I plan to work in the education and business sector simultaneously for three years. I hope to contribute my knowledge to teaching students and identify the differences between theories and practical applications. I also wish to establish a Taiwan Resource and Environment Center under the Academia Sinica, the nation’s highest research institute, and provide regular recommendations to the government. Obviously, if I could assume the position of the head of Bureau of Environmental Protection, I believe that the systems regarding the promotion and formulation of policies would be very much improved. This could be attributed to my professional knowledge and background on the one hand, and my passion for environmental protection, excellent communication and harmonization skills on the other.

I like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to all that your distinguished institution is providing and undoubtedly, you would be most proud of my achievements in the very near future.