Shengjian Ji

Dr. Shengjian Ji serves as Associate Professor with Tenure in the Department of Neuroscience at Southern University of Science and Technology's School of Life Sciences, concurrently holding the position of Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Shude College. His laboratory is internationally recognized for pioneering research on mRNA modification mechanisms in neuronal development and function, with particular emphasis on posttranscriptional regulation in axons.

Dr. Ji's academic foundation includes:

• Doctor of Science (Ph.D.) from Peking University (1998-2003)
• Bachelor of Science from Yantai University (1994-1998)

His research program centers on mRNA modifications (m⁵C and m⁶A), local axonal translation, and retrograde signaling pathways critical for neuronal development. The lab employs advanced techniques including microfluidic axonal analysis and molecular neuroscience approaches to investigate how RNA-binding proteins regulate neurogenesis, axon guidance, and dendrite maintenance in cortical, retinal, and cerebellar systems.

Analysis of Dr. Ji's 2018-2025 publications reveals a dominant focus on RNA epitranscriptomics in neural development, with emerging applications in aging and disease models. His work demonstrates how m⁶A and m⁵C modifications orchestrate local translation in axons through readers like YTHDFs and Ybx1, influencing processes from embryonic neurogenesis to age-related visual decline.

Major recognitions include:

• National Natural Science Award of China, Second Prize (2011)
• Ministry of Education University Scientific Research Award, First Prize in Natural Science (2008)
• Peking University's Ten Most Academically Outstanding Graduate Students (2003)

Dr. Ji actively mentors graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, with recent master's thesis defenses by Jiaxin Yuan and Pingrui Zhang. His laboratory maintains active funding evidenced by student Yu Jun's 2024 NSFC Young Scientists Fund award, and consistently recruits talent through SUSTech's postdoctoral and graduate programs. The lab currently investigates RNA modification mechanisms across multiple neural systems using cutting-edge molecular and bioengineering approaches, with ongoing projects spanning cortical development, retinal neurodegeneration, and axon guidance pathways.