Plant specialist's passion still flowers

The tough working conditions and position of plant taxonomy as one of the most basic foundations for advanced research have made the discipline less favored by students. So, Wang has made a point of publicizing the field among young people.

In 2018, he made his way into the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, where he has actively carried out various popular science activities and delivered botanical science presentations for students in places including Beijing, Hong Kong, and Chengdu, Sichuan.

With his efforts, more students have developed an interest in the discipline.

He still remembers how local students gave him warm applause when he finished introducing how Chinese botanists were surveying plants in the Himalayan area.

Some even came to his office and inquired more about the field, he says.

Wang says he's grateful to be named as a role model by Beijing, because it's a recognition of his mission.

"However, I really hope the award can get more people to pay attention to our work and give us more support," Wang says.