Wei Fuwen

Dr. Wei Fuwen is a Professor at the Institute of Zoology (IOZ), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), serving since 1998. He has held leadership roles, including Deputy Director of IOZ (2008–2017) and Director of CAS Key Lab of Animal Ecology & Conservation Biology (2003–2013). He has conducted visiting professorships at Cardiff University and the Zoological Society of London (1999–2000). His research focuses on biodiversity conservation, evolutionary biology, and wildlife genomics, particularly in giant pandas and red pandas. He has authored over 150 publications and edited books on conservation biology.

Education: Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Biology (IOZ, CAS, 1997), M.Sc. (Wildlife Ecology, China West Normal University, 1987), B.Sc. (Biology, China West Normal University, 1984).

Research interests include conservation genetics, population genomics, and the ecological impacts of human activities. Notable contributions include genomic studies on bamboo-eating mammals and giant panda conservation strategies. He has received prestigious awards such as the 2021 Molecular Ecology Prize and 2017 CAS Academician status. He chairs major conservation initiatives in China and globally, including roles in the International Society for Conservation Biology and China Mammalogical Society.

His work integrates field studies, molecular biology, and policy advocacy, addressing biodiversity challenges in fragmented habitats and climate change impacts.