Prof. Linlin Zhang | Ecology | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Linlin Zhang , Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China.

Dr. Linlin Zhang 🧬 is a Principal Investigator at the Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. With a PhD from IOCAS and postdoctoral training at Cornell, Michigan, and Florida, she leads research in Evo-Devo-Genomics 🐚, focusing on marine biodiversity and adaptation. She’s an award-winning 🏅scientist with high-impact publications (Nature, PNAS) and over ¥5 million in grants. Passionate about mentorship, innovation, and science outreach 🌊, Dr. Zhang is shaping the future of marine biology globally. 🌍

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🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Prof. Linlin Zhang began her academic journey with a B.Sc. in Marine Biology from the Ocean University of China (2003–2007) under the mentorship of Qinghui Ai. She then pursued a Ph.D. at the Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (2007–2012) under Prof. Guofan Zhang. Her early focus on molecular marine science laid the foundation for her pioneering work in evolutionary developmental genomics.

💼 Professional Endeavors

Prof. Zhang has held a series of prestigious research positions. She is currently a Principal Investigator at the Institute of Oceanology, CAS (2019–present). Previously, she worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Cornell University, the University of Florida, and HHMI/University of Michigan. Each tenure refined her expertise in molecular biology, evolutionary ecology, and functional genomics, contributing to her international reputation.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus On Ecology 

Prof. Zhang’s research integrates evolutionary developmental biology (Evo-Devo) and functional genomics, with a core focus on lophotrochozoan species. Her lab explores evolutionary traits such as innate immune diversity, regeneration, and shell formation. Her groundbreaking work on marine adaptation and genome manipulation techniques in aquaculture mollusks positions her as a leader in marine biotechnology.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Her co-first authorship of a landmark paper in Nature on the Pacific oyster genome gained international media coverage (BBC, Washington Post, Scientific American). Prof. Zhang has also contributed to PNAS, PLoS One, and Frontiers journals, influencing how we understand marine biodiversity, stress adaptation, and molecular evolution. Her editorial and peer-review services further emphasize her academic leadership.

🧠 Research Skills

Prof. Zhang’s skills span CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, transcriptome analysis, molecular cloning, and comparative genomics. Her experience in bioinformatics, gene expression profiling, and functional genomics enhances her ability to dissect complex biological processes in non-model marine species. She also demonstrates proficiency in cross-species genome manipulation.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Prof. Zhang is the recipient of numerous accolades, including the Fusui Zhang Molluscan Award (2019) and the Cozzarelli Prize (PNAS, 2017). She also received the President Award for Outstanding PhD Students and Excellent PhD Thesis Awards at both institutional and provincial levels in 2012. These honors reflect her enduring academic excellence.

🏛️ Legacy and Future Contributions

Prof. Zhang’s academic legacy is defined by her commitment to marine biodiversity research and mentorship. Having guided postdocs and graduate students across institutions like Cornell University and UCAS, she continues to shape the next generation of marine scientists. Her ongoing projects funded by NSFC and provincial programs promise new insights into marine regeneration and stress adaptation mechanisms, ensuring her continued impact in the field.

Publications Top Notes

• 📊 Scientific Data
  🗓️ 2025
  📄 Comprehensive Dataset for Polychaetes in the IPC: Species Distribution, DNA Barcodes, and Functional Traits

• 🧪 International Journal of Molecular Sciences
  🗓️ 2024
  📄 Genome-Wide Comparative Analysis of SRCR Gene Superfamily in Invertebrates

• 🧬 Scientific Data
  🗓️ 2024
  📄 A chromosome-level genome assembly of a deep-sea symbiotic Aplacophora mollusc

• 🧬 Gene
  🗓️ 2022
  📄 Evolutionary history of the NLR gene families across lophotrochozoans

• 🦋 Science
  🗓️ 2022
  📄 Deep cis-regulatory homology of the butterfly wing pattern ground plan

• 🧬 International Journal of Molecular Sciences
  🗓️ 2022
  📄 Divergences of the RLR Gene Families across Lophotrochozoans

• 🌊 Journal of Oceanology and Limnology
  🗓️ 2022
  📄 Taxonomy and regeneration of Capitella teleta in Shandong, China

• 🧬 Frontiers in Genetics
  🗓️ 2021
  📄 Transcriptomic Response to Perkinsus marinus in Two Crassostrea Oysters

• 🔬 Scientific Reports
  🗓️ 2021
  📄 Comparative and evolutionary analyses of the Notch pathway in Lophotrochozoa

• 🦋 Genome Biology and Evolution
  🗓️ 2021
  📄 High-Quality Genome Assembly of Vanessa cardui

• 🦋 EvoDevo
  🗓️ 2020
  📄 Transcription factors in butterfly wing margin patterns

• 🐟 Preprint (bioRxiv)
  🗓️ 2020
  📄 Genome Assembly and Annotation of Cromileptes altivelas

• 🦋 PNAS
  🗓️ 2019
  📄 Parallel evolution of enhancers in butterfly wing pattern mimicry

• 🦪 Fish & Shellfish Immunology
  🗓️ 2019
  📄 IKKε-like role in Crassostrea gigas immune signaling

• 🧬 Frontiers in Immunology
  🗓️ 2019
  📄 IKKα/βs and immune signaling in oysters

• 🧬 Nature Ecology & Evolution
  🗓️ 2018
  📄 Adaptive potential of the Pacific oyster

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