Lin Zhan

Lin Zhan, PhD, RN, FAAN, serves as the Dean and Professor at the UCLA School of Nursing since 2021. Previously, she held deanship roles at the University of Memphis Loewenberg College of Nursing and the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Her academic leadership spans three U.S. states and multiple campus locations. Dr. Zhan’s research focuses on improving healthcare access for vulnerable populations, developing culturally appropriate health measures, and advancing nursing workforce development. She has published over 100 articles, edited six books, and secured multi-million dollar research grants.

Her scholarly contributions include roles on editorial boards for Journal of Gerontological Nursing and Journal of Aging and Geriatric Medicine, plus service on the American Academy of Nursing’s expert panels and committees. Recognized as a 2001 Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, her accolades include the ‘Best Book of the Year’ award and leadership honors in nursing education. She has also been elected to the AACN Board of Directors and served as its Treasurer.

Dr. Zhan’s work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, evidenced by her cross-tissue multiomics studies on metabolic disorders and traumatic brain injury. Her recent research explores gut-brain interactions, mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegeneration, and pharmacological strategies for renal repair. She actively mentors global women leaders in nursing and advocates for nursing education innovation through AACN policy initiatives.

Her research portfolio reflects a systems biology approach, integrating single-cell analysis, spatial transcriptomics, and multi-omics methodologies to address complex health challenges. This spans from molecular mechanisms in metabolic diseases to translational strategies in neuroprotection and kidney repair.