Majors: Plant and Environmental Soil Science; Horticulture
Minor: Ecology and Conservation Biology
Class Year: 2027
High School: Berkner High School
Advisor: Dr. Felipe Aburto
Proposed URS Thesis Title:
Research Focus: Soil Biogeochemistry, Pedology, Agroecology, Agronomy
Other Projects and Publications: Bin Wu, Trishia Nguyen, Rushton Trees, Daniel Kwong, Harshali Sharma, Margaret R Pooler, Hui Duan, and Hongmin Qin*. (In Review) 2025. In-Vitro Regeneration of 'Natchez' Crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia indica x L. fauriei): Optimized Surface Sterilization, Micropropagation, and Callus-Induced Organogenesis
Organizations and Programs: Terry Scholar, Undergraduate Research Ambassador, Aggie Research Program, PBS Group, Hullabaloo U Peer Mentor, ECCB 215 Teaching Assistant, Institute for the Development and Education of Asian American Leaders (IDEAAL), TAMU Collegiate Soil Judging Team, Horticultural Sciences Student Ambassador, Horticulture Club, COALS Council, LEAD Conference, SLIDE, Agronomy Society, Fish Camp Counselor, Aggie STEM Camp Counselor
Awards and Distinctions: Terry Foundation Scholarship, Dean's Excellence Scholarship, Mary Beth Abbott '19 Endowed Aggie Ring Scholarship, Texas A&M Plant Breeding Symposium Undergraduate Student Oral Competition Winner, U.S.-Japan Council TOMODACHI Tanaka Sangyo Agricultural Exchange Initiative, Dean's Honor Roll, Gathright Phi Kappa Phi Dean’s Excellence Finalist, Aggie Research Program Scholar, 1st in Region IV Soil Judging Competition, 2nd Place in Division for Student Research Week Group Poster Presentation
Experience: Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), Summer Research, Poster and Oral Presentations, Conferences, Symposiums, Competitions, Study Abroad, Internships (Research and Industry)
Years Experience: 2.5
Other Activities: Cooking, Baking, Music, Concerts, Traveling, Photography, Gym, Stunting (Dance), Nature
Bio: Howdy! My name is Daniel Kwong, and I am an undergraduate student at Texas A&M University, graduating in Spring 2027. I’m passionate about understanding the world and its various systems and interfaces on a holistic level and learning how all those systems are intersectional, as well as educating others about science, which led me to pursue a double degree in Plant and Environmental Soil Science & Horticulture. After completing my undergraduate studies, I plan to pursue a PhD in fields encompassing Soil Science or Agronomy.
My interests center on soil health, plant-soil-microbe interactions, education and outreach, and improving and better understanding land management. As a student researcher in the Pedology and Soil Biogeochemistry Group (PBS - Aburto Lab), I’ve aided in several projects such as researching bioturbation of fire ants and its impact around the surrounding ecosystem and using external substrates to research its carbon sequestration erosion capabilities. My main project I’m supporting is in investigating the impact and importance of urban soils using soil archive data alongside MIR spectroscopy. Beyond research, I am passionate about science communication and making science more accessible to diverse audiences.