The couple that works together, stays together! In honor of Valentine’s Day, BCM Family asked Dr. Paul Ling, professor of molecular virology and microbiology, and Kay Ling, business coordinator for the same department, to share what keeps their chemistry alive and whether sharing a workplace is part of their formula for a lasting, loving bond. 

What is it like working with your spouse, or working in the same institution if not directly together?  

P. Ling – I really appreciate that Kay understands the unique challenges and rewards of running a research lab in an academic institution. I never have to explain the context; she gets it immediately.

K. Ling – I enjoy working at the same institution as Paul. My parents worked together; I saw that teamwork ethic my whole childhood, so I look at it like I’m following their footsteps. Paul and I have different strengths. He is a visionary, and I tend to be an organizer.

How did you meet? 
P. Ling – We met in college – St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, through my brother at a Suburbs concert. We were both dating other people at the time, but we hit it off as friends right away. We both ended our previous relationships around the end of senior year, and soon after that, we started dating. September 2026 will mark our 38th wedding anniversary.

K. Ling – He was a chemistry major, so the reputation on campus was that they had a different pace related to their school workload and labs. I remember his friends told me if you see him in the library, don’t bother him. So, I stayed clear when he was studying. I had a job post-college at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and he had a lab job in Washington D.C., and that is when we started dating.

How long have you worked together? 

P. Ling – Just over a year, and we haven’t fought about anything yet!

K. Ling – Yes, the time has gone quickly. We have two lab spaces, and I work from one and he works from the other. However, I feel like we have been working together for years. The elephants from the Houston Zoo have become part of our family. Because of my background as a nurse, it is easier for us to follow Paul’s work where it takes us. I tend to be the organizer, so my first job at Baylor was to take ownership of the repository of elephant samples, one of the largest that exists, and get it organized so anyone can easily pull a sample as needed. I am doing that in other aspects of the lab too. There is a lot of elephant history through samples. Another huge area is that scientists, veterinarians and elephant keepers have wanted to come here to see what we do. Arranging tours and logistics can be challenging but so important to get our work known.

What is the best part about working together? 

P. Ling – Kay brings ideas, insight and organization to the lab in ways I simply don’t have a knack for. The lab genuinely runs better because of her. I respect her input immensely, and, cliché as it sounds, she’s on the right side of decisions almost all of the time! She also plans celebrations, remembers everyone’s birthdays, and helps keep morale high in a world where science can feel chaotic and uncertain. Our research gets a lot of media attention, and I often bounce things off her to make sure I’m communicating at a level that makes sense to non-scientists.

K. Ling – The best part of working together is the team effort. We are discussing elephants from all around the world. We have a common goal, and it is to help an endangered species survive a deadly disease. When Paul is focused on the science, I tend to focus more on the caregivers of these animals. They work so hard, and if I can give them encouragement, I feel we have looked at the whole picture.

How has your partnership helped support your goals at home and in the lab? 
P. Ling – Absolutely. We do talk about work at home, but it usually blends in with everything else. Being able to talk through challenges with someone who fully understands the context helps refine and clarify things. Our research involves elephants, and our collaborations with zoos and elephant care teams have made elephants part of our daily conversations. It’s a topic we never get tired of!

K. Ling – Work and home are intertwined, and that is perfect for us. This job is 24/7 but I had that as a nurse too. Paul gets calls seven days a week, at all hours from all over the world, but if it helps save a baby elephant, I am good with that.

What are you looking forward to most in the coming years? 

P. Ling – Over the last year and a half, we rolled out a novel mRNA vaccine to protect elephants from a herpesvirus, which is the leading cause of death for young Asian elephants. We’re seeing early success stories, which has created global demand for the vaccine. We’re looking forward to expanding international distribution in the coming years. It also has increased our travel schedule, nationally and internationally, including trips to India and Thailand. But we see that as an opportunity to meet new colleagues and explore new cultures together.

K. Ling – In the coming years, we will have a bigger global imprint. With that comes many challenge, but they are fun challenges. Who would not want to help elephants here in U.S. and India, Thailand, Africa and elsewhere? With Baylor’s and the Houston Zoo’s support, we could help eradicate a disease that impacts elephants all over the world.

Do you carpool to work to save on gas and parking?

P. Ling – Yes. We live in Sugar Land, and when our schedules don’t match perfectly, we take the Fort Bend Express.

How often do you see each other during the workday?

P. Ling – We work in different spaces, so sometimes only a few moments throughout the day. Most of our real interactions happen during the commute, a daily briefing and debriefing wrapped into one.

How often do you eat lunch together?

P. Ling – I’ve brown‑bagged lunch since college and usually eat at my desk. But during weeks when meal prep falls apart, as it does, we head to the Commons and buy lunch. It’s always a nice break. 

Story by Graciela Gutierrez, lead in the Office of Communications and Community Outreach