معرفی
Hua Yan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Florida, within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. They hold a Ph.D. from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York (2010). Their research focuses on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying social behavior, neural development, and aging in social insects, particularly the ant Harpegnathos saltator. Dr. Yan's work integrates genetic tools, behavioral studies, and epigenetic analyses to explore caste transitions, olfactory receptor function, and longevity regulation in ants.
Key research areas include how social cues influence neural circuitry, the role of insulin signaling in extended longevity, and the genetic basis of chemical communication. Their lab utilizes CRISPR-mediated mutagenesis and advanced genomic techniques to study developmental plasticity and epigenetic regulation in ants. Dr. Yan has published extensively on topics such as odorant receptor biology, caste plasticity, and the molecular mechanisms of social behavior.
Notable contributions include identifying insulin signaling pathways linked to ant longevity and demonstrating how genetic mutations affect social behavior and neural development. Their work bridges evolutionary biology, developmental genetics, and behavioral ecology, providing insights into the interplay between environment, genetics, and social organization in insects.
