Boxuan Zhao

Boxuan Zhao is an Assistant Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology and the Neuroscience Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with an affiliate role at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. His research focuses on RNA biology, epigenetics, and neurobiology, developing cutting-edge technologies to map brain connectivity and molecular mechanisms underlying neural function. He holds a B.S. from Peking University (2012), M.S./Ph.D. from the University of Chicago (2017), and completed postdoctoral training at Stanford University (2017-2023).

Research interests include RNA modifications (e.g., m6A), single-cell multi-omics, and systems-level analysis of brain organization. His lab integrates transcriptomics, proteomics, and connectomics to study neuronal connectivity dynamics and molecular mechanisms of brain disorders. Key contributions include methods like Connectome-seq for high-resolution neuronal mapping and RNA-protein interaction mapping via APEX targeting.

• Highlighted Achievements:
  • 2023 & 2022 Web of Science Highly Cited Researcher in Molecular Biology
  • Howard Hughes Medical Institute Predoctoral Fellowship (2014)
  • Winner of multiple innovation awards in RNA biology and chemical biology

Publications span foundational insights into m6A’s role in mRNA translation, viral replication, and developmental transitions. Zhao’s interdisciplinary approach bridges chemical biology, neuroscience, and genomics, with a focus on translational applications in health and disease.