Pill-Soon Song

Education

Born in Osaka, 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.

Career

Song specializes in molecular photobiology. He worked on the structure-function relation of phytochromes and other photoreceptors 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.

He received his Doctor of Philosophy from University of California in 1964.

After a post-doctoral research fellowship at Iowa State University under Professor David East. Metzler from 1964-1965, he then joined Texas Technical University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America as Assistant Professor in Chemistry.

Achievements

• Among Song"s awards and honours are: 1975-1987 Paul Whitfield Horn Professorship, Texas Technical University, Lubbock, Texas 1978 Faculty Distinguished Published Research Award, Texas Technical University DADS Association & Hemphill Wells Foundation, Plaque and Award 1979 Faculty Research Award, College of Arts and Sciences, Texas Technical University, Lubbock, Texas, Plaque and Award 1990-2003 Dow Chemical Company Distinguished Professorship, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 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 University, 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 Education Support Professionals Congress, Stresa, Italy, September, 1997. 1998 University of Hasanuddin University 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/University of Nebraska, Lincoln, March 29, 2000 2000 Ho-Am Prize in Science, The Ho-Am Foundation/Samsung Corporation, June 1, 2000 2007 Outstanding Alumnus, Hall of Fame, Seoul National University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences 2009 Finsen Medal in Photobiology, International Union of Photobiology, June 18, 2009.