Bao-Hua Song

Dr. Bao-Hua (Alysa) Song is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her research focuses on Plant Evolutionary and Ecological Genetics and Genomics, particularly leveraging crop wild relatives to address agricultural challenges and climate adaptation. She leads the Song Lab, which integrates omics, molecular genetics, and biochemistry to study phytochemicals, pest resistance (e.g., soybean cyst nematode), and environmental adaptation mechanisms.

Research Funding: Recent grants include NSF funding for soybean cyst nematode research and support from the North Carolina Biotechnology Center for studies on phytochemicals in plant adaptation. Ongoing projects involve genomic dissection of resistance traits and phytochemical-based pest control strategies.

Laboratory Roles: The lab currently offers postdoctoral and technician positions focusing on plant genetics and lab management. She also hosts visiting scholars and mentors students in molecular biology techniques.

Key Research Themes: Wild soybean (Glycine soja) genetics, phytochemical applications in agriculture, and genomic approaches to crop improvement. Major contributions include identifying domestication genes like POWR1 and advancing understanding of broad-spectrum nematode resistance.

Lab Infrastructure: Equipped for molecular genetics (DNA/RNA extraction, qPCR, sequencing), bioinformatics, and greenhouse experiments. Collaborations span institutions like Monsanto Company and the North Carolina Soybean Producers Association.