Plant specialist's passion still flowers

Studying life science in his undergraduate years at Sichuan University, Wang opted for botany as his graduate focus at the university.

At first, he just wanted to focus on his studies and explore science behind their exceptional beauty, but as he delved deeper, Wang says he came to realize the importance of plants to everyone's lives and even the national economy.

"For example, major discoveries, such as hybrid rice by Yuan Longping and artemisinin (drugs that have redefined the landscape of antimalarial therapy) by Tu Youyou, were all inspirations from seemingly insignificant plants," Wang says.

"It's proof of how a single species can change the fate of a country and transform lives."

It determined his mind to go down the road and help lay a foundation for future development and utilization of plants.

However, many rare plants grow in harsh environments, like cliffs and steep slopes. Wang was well aware of the hardships and dangers involved in conducting research in this field. The Himalayan area is habitat for rich flora and fauna, including dangerous animals.

Wang says he and his colleagues are most afraid of the wild buffalo herds, rather than bears, wolves and other beasts of prey.

"They charge ahead recklessly and can overturn tents and trample over anything in their path," Wang says.

He's had many close calls during his career.