Scientific research could be a lonely and arduous adventure. Luckily, Luo Jiaqiang and Wu Tong have each other by their sides on their academic journey. The couple met at UIC and then went to Australia for their Master's and Doctoral degrees together.
Wu Tong (left) and Luo Jiaqiang
Wu Tong
2014 FST graduate
Obtained a Master's Degree in Food Sciences at the University of Melbourne
Pursuing Doctoral degree in Chemistry at Monash University with full scholarship
Luo Jiaqiang
2014 FST graduate
Obtained a Master's Degree in Food Sciences at the University of Melbourne
Pursuing Doctoral degree in Agricultural Sciences at the University of Melbourne with full scholarship
Luo Jiaqiang, born and raised in Guangzhou, Guangdong, while Wu Tong, originally from Kunming, Yunnan, met at UIC in 2010, admitted to the Food Science and Technology (FST) Programme.
One year after getting to know each other, Luo Jiaqiang and Wu Tong became boyfriend and girlfriend.
In their four year college time, Jiaqiang and Tong went to class, library and laboratory together. In junior year's summer holiday, they stayed in the laboratory for two months for finishing their Final Year Projects. Many challenges occurred to them since it was their first time doing experiments, reading academic papers, and processing data all by themselves. Under the guidance of Prof Xu Baojun, Programme Director of FST, Jiaqiang and Tong published two articles in academic journals as collaborative authors.
Wu Tong (left), Luo Jiaqiang (right) and Prof Xu Baojun
Finding some joy during their journey in doing academic work, they both decided to go abroad for further education and were both admitted to the Master's programmes at the University of Melbourne. After their Master's studies, they decided to continue as doctoral students in different universities with full scholarships. So far, Luo Jiaqiang has published 11 articles, and Wu Tong has published five papers in academic journals. Wu Tong's doctoral research project on new-type functional protein food is currently being applied for a patent in Australia.
Wu Tong and Luo Jiaqiang both went to the University of Melbourne for their Master's degrees
In their second year at the University of Melbourne, Jiaqiang and Tong were both recommended to Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) for research due to their excellent performance in the relevant field.
Wu Tong (left), Luo Jiaqing (right) and researchers from CSIRO
Within their time in CSIRO, Tong and Jiaqiang drafted food-related academic papers published on Food Chemistry. This experience and their achievement paved a smoother way to apply for their doctoral programmes with full scholarships.
Studying abroad is challenging for Tong and Jiaqiang. However, they can always go back to their other half, making their journey in Melbourne less lonely.
In 2019, Tong and Jiaqiang got married and had a wedding celebration back home in China, inviting many teachers and peers from UIC.
Photo of teachers and peers from UIC in Tong and Jiaqiang's wedding
Tong and Jiaqiang had their newborn in 2021, who has brought a lot of joy and responsibilities to their shoulders.
A family photo of the lovely couple and their baby
Having a baby didn't stop their pursuit in the academic field. Tong and Jiaqiang are currently applying for postdoctoral positions in related fields. They are so ready for the unknown in the future because they always have each other's back.
From MPRO
Reporter: Li Ruifeng
Editors: Deen He, Covee Wang
