Jixun Zhan

Jixun Zhan is a Professor in the Department of Biological Engineering at Utah State University (USU), where he leads research in metabolic engineering, natural product biosynthesis, and biocatalysis. His work integrates systems biology, synthetic biology, and enzyme engineering to reprogram microbes for production of high-value pharmaceuticals and bioactive compounds. He holds a PhD in Natural Products Chemistry from East China University of Science and Technology (2003), an MS in Fermentation Engineering from Tianjin University (2000), and a BS in Fermentation Engineering from Nanchang University (1997).

Research focuses on engineering microbial platforms for: 1) production of plant-derived natural products via synthetic biology approaches, 2) discovery of novel antimicrobial agents through combinatorial biosynthesis, and 3) development of biocatalytic systems for value-added metabolite modifications. Key innovations include engineered E. coli strains producing anticancer cyclooligomer depsipeptides and fungal systems for flavonoid glycosylation.

Recipient of numerous awards including 6 consecutive Outstanding Researcher awards (USU Biological Engineering 2011-2017), NIH Academic Research Enhancement Award (2010), and American Heart Association Scientist Development Grant (2009). Holds 81+ peer-reviewed journal articles and 3 book chapters, with recent work published in Nature Communications, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and Metabolic Engineering.

Teaching responsibilities include core courses like Metabolic Engineering I and Biological Engineering Design, with over 15 years of graduate mentorship. Current research group collaborates with industry on drug discovery and biocatalyst development, with active projects in peanut allergy therapy using natural product formulations.