Another degree under his belt

A LECTURER at the University of Natural Resources and Environment (UNRE) has been awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Queensland in Australia.
Nason Pue, who teaches biology, was told of the good news by his supervisor through the university’s Staff Development and Training (SD&T) office.
He is described as one of the leading home-grown staff members of the university, a silent achiever and a scientist who likes to make things happen to see results.
Pue’s interest in the university began as a high school student at George Brown High School when he visited the institution on a field day.
Even when he was selected to do grade 11 and 12 in Australia, he didn’t give up on his dream. He chose to study agriculture at the then University of Vudal after year 12, even when his friends told him farming was a low-profile job.
After graduating with a Diploma in Tropical Agriculture in 1999, Pue went to Victoria University in Melbourne to study microbiology, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 2003.
In 2004, Pue joined the University of Natural Resources and Environment as an assistant lecturer under a trainee cadetship initiated by the Agriculture Institution Strengthening Programme.
“Agriculture is the science of farming, so my pursuit of agriculture was a long and narrow winding road, from a Diploma in Tropical Agriculture at UNRE, to the Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia, where I received my Bachelor of Science in microbiology and biotechnology, and a Master of Biotechnology and PhD, both from the University of Queensland,” he said.
His research include studying the structure of compounds and their activity on fungi and plant enzymes and their potential as antifungal drugs or herbicides.
His research interest has expanded into mushroom, hydroponics, the use of microbes as biopesticides and controlling fungal infections in plants and animals.
Pue has also published two papers in the Journal of Medical Chemistry – which is published by the American Chemical Society – and current pharmaceutical design.
“Although qualification matters in indicating you have attained knowledge and skills, a good attitude and ability to connect with people and learn from your mentors will help develop experience over time.”