Department of Life Science 生命科學系

During his postdoctoral research period, Professor Chi-Shiun Wu had previously collaborated with Dr. Ivan Gomez-Mestre in Spain. Dr. Ivan Gomez-Mestre is currently a lifelong researcher at the Biological Station of Doñana, part of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). A lasting bilateral collaboration continues between Professor Wu and Dr. Gomez-Mestre.

From April 2nd to April 12th this year, Professor Chi-Shiun Wu invited Dr. Ivan Gomez-Mestre to visit Taiwan. On April 10th, they visited our department. At noon, Professor Chi-Shiun Wu hosted a meeting in the College of Science conference room, where undergraduate students from the lab had an informal exchange with Dr. Gomez-Mestre's team. During the event, students practiced introducing themselves in simple English and experienced their first interaction with foreign scholars. As most students had not previously interacted with foreign scholars, especially those from Europe, they found the experience quite novel and exciting. Following the exchange, faculty and students accompanied the visiting scholars on a campus tour, including visits to the library and the Hwa Kang Museum. The visiting scholars were impressed by the scenic beauty of our campus, nestled in the hills, and the distinctive Chinese architectural features. They admired the students' opportunity to study in such a picturesque environment.

Dr. Ivan Gomez-Mestre and his research team engage with students in Professor Chih-Hsun Liao's lab

Dr. Gomez-Mestre poses with members of Professor Liao's lab in front of traditional Chinese architecture on campus

Group photo on the rooftop of the Da-Yi Building

Exploring the campus

Subsequently, Dr. Gomez-Mestre delivered a keynote lecture. His expertise lies in evolutionary and physiological ecology. The lecture focused on tadpoles as a model to explore how environmental pressures affect conflict responses, plasticity in growth and development, and the ecological and evolutionary implications of these responses. The session concluded with active student engagement through questions and discussions.

After the lecture, Dr. Gomez-Mestre's team and the department's faculty had dinner. During the meal, productive discussions were held, exploring potential future research collaborations between the two teams.

Dr. Gomez-Mestre begins his lecture with a photo from 17 years ago with Professor Chi-Shiun Wu

Dr. Gomez-Mestre during his lecture

Dr. Gomez-Mestre during his lecture

Dinner interaction between Dr. Ivan Gomez-Mestre's research team and department faculty

Group photo after the dinner at a campus landmark