Interview with Cho Seong-bin, a Convergence Creativity Research Graduate Student

1. Please introduce yourself.

​Hello, I am Cho Seong-bin, studying for a master's degree student at Seoul National University's Department of Forest Environment Science. I am currently researching symbiotic fungi that live in symbiosis with Platypus koryoensis, the forest pest.

2. Please tell us how you came to know about the Convergence Creativity Research Program and introduce the program.

​Graduate student convergence creative research is to conduct convergence research to solve creative and multidisciplinary problems in the field of agricultural and life science by forming a team with students from other majors and other colleges. It is a competency development program targeting graduate students, providing opportunities to voluntarily conduct research from design to completion.
During my undergraduate days, I heard about and participated in undergraduate research students and student creative research programs, but I did not know that there was a program for graduate students. Then, through the introduction of the professor, I got to know and participated.

3. What topic are you currently researching?

​A study was conducted under the theme of “Research on the microbiome related to pine wilt nematodes and insect vectors using metabarcoding”. Pine Wilt Disease is a tree disease that is a worldwide problem. The pine wilt nematode kills pine trees and spreads at a rapid rate by the beetle that mediates the wilt nematode. To prevent the spread of this pine wood nematode disease, various control methods are being used, and organic synthetic pesticides cause various side effects such as phosphorus toxicity, residual toxicity, and the emergence of resistant pests. Therefore, it has become important to reduce the use of pesticides and develop and utilize environmentally friendly control methods. So, I started with research on the ecology of longhorn beetles, which mediate the pine wilt nematode. The pine wood nematode feeds on fungi growing on dead wood and proliferates. Various fungi grow in dead wood, but little is known about how each fungal species affects the pine wilt nematode. In addition, many previous studies adopted a culture method, so no confirmation of bacterial diversity could not be confirmed through culture. Therefore, we comprehensively investigated the Mycobiome targeting fungi related to pinewood nematodes, including bacteria that could not be cultured using metabarcoding, and identified the relationship between related bacteria and pinewood nematodes. Through this, we tried to secure ecological data that can be used for the development of new eco-friendly control methods.

​4. Were there any difficulties while doing research?

​Previously, many of the studies conducted in the laboratory were based on plant essential oils. Mold research also mainly utilized Sanger sequencing. Metabarcoding research was an unfamiliar research method for researchers in our laboratory. The process of studying and trying to understand a new method is enjoyable on the one hand, but it was also a burden as it came as another task from the standpoint of taking classes and doing research at the same time. In particular, it seems that it was not very helpful in the course of the experiment because I did not know the related contents well. I participated in report writing and discussion because I was unable to participate in the process of metabarcoding or confirming the effect of related bacteria, but I feel regretful that there were difficulties in voluntary and active participation in many parts of the experiment. If I participate in this program again, I think I will take up the challenge with a certain level of understanding by studying the relevant research fields and research methods so that I can actively participate in all the processes necessary for conducting research.

​5. What did you find enjoyable or rewarding while doing your research?

​The most enjoyable part was being exposed to new research methods. I was able to encounter new methods used in other laboratories, and I was able to read and study various papers and materials to understand them. I thought about how to apply a new research method in the field of forest conservation, and I also encountered various studies newly by exploring various studies in the same field that adopted a similar research method. Getting to know something gave me a lot of fun. I was able to learn a lot from the researchers who participated in the program together, and the research funds and labor costs secured while participating in the program was a lot of fun. While talking about each other's fields, we also talked about topics that could be researched in the future, and it was fun to see that my perspective as a researcher was gradually broadened through conversations with researchers in other fields.

6. Compared to general research, what do you think is special about convergent creativity research?

I think that being able to experience collaboration is special. I think it is very important to collaborate with people from various fields when solving any problem in science. This is because we believe that a multi-faceted approach is possible and effective research can be conducted by integrating research methods in each field. In the process of collaborative research, researchers must be able to convey their thoughts to non-majors in a logical way, and sometimes they have to study other fields to understand different fields. I believe that convergence creative research provides an opportunity to experience this process. Developing the competencies required for collaboration through creative convergence research will be a stepping stone to becoming a good researcher outside of school.

7. Please advise students who will participate in this program in the future.

It seems that convergence is the keyword that should be focused on the most in the purpose of the Convergence Creativity Research Program. Convergence is what differentiates it from student creative research prepared for undergraduate students. For effective research design, it is necessary to think carefully about the convergence between ‘what’ fields and ‘why’ to solve ‘what’ problems. Sufficient study on each research field that is applied to the subject to be conducted must be preceded. In designing and conducting experiments for convergence creativity research, I believe that preparing research based on sufficient understanding of each other's field by the participants leads to effective performance and higher perfection.

8. Any last words?

​The Convergence Creativity Research Program, which I have experienced and felt, is a program designed to experience everything that occurs in research activities, such as proposal writing, budget execution, and results organization during the period from research design to completion. While experiencing a series of processes, researchers experience unexpected failures or make discoveries. In the process of discussing each other's fields, new research topics are also thought up. I believe that the experience of carrying out this series of research is a valuable experience that can be obtained through convergence creative research. I am sure that the experience of participating in the Convergence Creativity Research Program, in which I actively communicate with team members and carry out research tasks, has also helped me develop the capacity to become an active and voluntary researcher. At first, I was worried that the work would increase, but considering the experience of collaboration and autonomous research design, I think it is a program worth trying at least once.