The Leatherby Libraries’ Meet the Librarian interview series highlights our amazing librarians and the incredible work that they accomplish each day. These interviews inform the community about different areas in the Library and our services! Elaine Yeung, our new Sciences Librarian, was kind enough to answer some questions!

  1. What is your name and title?

My name is Elaine Yeung, and I am the Sciences Librarian. I am also the Liaison Librarian for the Fowler School of Engineering and some degree programs in the Schmid College of Science and Technology.

  1. In what department of the Leatherby Libraries do you work?

I work in Research and Instructional Services.

  1. How long have you been at Chapman University?

I started working here mid-November 2023.

  1. What is your job in a nutshell?

As the Sciences Librarian, I provide library instruction and research support for Chapman University students and faculty. I also partner with faculty to develop information resources, primarily in STEM fields. I will also be at the Reference Desk to answer questions on researching any topics.

  1. Have you held any jobs at other universities or libraries?

This is my first librarian job, but I have prior post-doc experiences at Rothamsted Research in the U.K. and the University of California, Riverside. Most recently, I was a scientist at a cancer diagnostics company.

  1. What are your passions/interests outside of work?

I enjoy dancing and doing aerial silk and hoops. I also enjoy paper crafting and traveling when I have more time.

  1. Where did you get your degree?

I obtained my Ph.D. in plant biology from Utrecht University in The Netherlands and my M.S. and B.Sc. in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of California, Riverside.

  1. Where is your hometown?

I grew up in Riverside, so I am quite local to the area.

  1. What is the last book you read or the last book you loved?

The last book I’ve read was Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner. It’s a poignant memoir about family relationships and searching for cultural identity.

  1. Any fun facts about yourself?

I enjoy traveling whenever I have the opportunity! The travel bug bit me when I won a magazine writing contest in high school that awarded me an all-expense paid trip to New York City, and that was my first big trip!

  1. Why is having a Sciences Librarian important for academic libraries?

The sciences require specific research strategies and information resources. Still, it is not always clear to students where to begin finding and understanding these science-specific resources, such as databases, journals, or datasets. Therefore, a Sciences Librarian can help facilitate during any stage of the scientific research process, including locating, evaluating, and accessing sources of information and data and providing discipline-specific research consultation to ensure students and faculty are as successful as possible in reaching their potential in research and learning.