معرفی
Changqi Zhu, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences within the College of Arts, Sciences & Education at Ferris State University. He teaches courses such as Current Topics in Biology, Developmental Biology, and General Biology, while actively mentoring undergraduate and graduate researchers in his laboratory.
Education & Training
- PhD – Molecular Biology & Animal Developmental Biology, University of Karlsruhe / Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
- MS – Plant Genetics, Northwest Agricultural University
- BS – Biology, Shaanxi Normal University
- Postdoctoral Research Associate – University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
- Postdoctoral Research Associate – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis
Research Focus
Dr. Zhu’s laboratory investigates the molecular mechanisms of aging and longevity using the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as a model. Central themes include autophagy, TGF-β/Activin signaling, proteasome biology, and muscle-specific gene regulation. His group has identified two Activin-type ligands—Dawdle and Myoglianin—as key anti-aging factors that modulate adult lifespan via the 26S proteasome in muscle tissue.
Recent work employs tissue-specific RNA interference to dissect how autophagy genes such as Atg1 and Atg18 in fat-body and muscle tissues influence metabolic homeostasis and organismal lifespan.
Scientific Recognition
Although no formal awards are listed in the provided text, Dr. Zhu’s research has been continuously funded and his findings have appeared in leading journals including Genetics, Biology Open, Cell Metabolism, PLoS Genetics, and Development.
Advising & Service
Each year Dr. Zhu mentors a select cohort of students from the Department of Biological Sciences, guiding them through hypothesis-driven projects that frequently culminate in peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. He additionally serves on departmental, college, and university committees, contributing to curriculum development, assessment, and strategic planning.
Collaborations & Outreach
He maintains an active collaboration with Prof. Michael B. O’Connor (University of Minnesota), co-authoring multiple high-impact papers. Dr. Zhu is a frequent invited speaker—both in the U.S. and internationally—delivering seminars and webinars on autophagy, aging, and Drosophila genetics.
