Yan Zhu

Yan Zhu is a UKRI Marie Curie Fellow in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Cambridge, conducting research in the Glover lab. His work focuses on plant evolutionary developmental biology with specific emphasis on structural patterns in floral tissues.

His educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (2023) from University of Michigan
• B.S. in Biological Sciences (2016) from Fudan University

Research interests center on Eco-Evo-Devo mechanisms in plants, particularly investigating diffraction gratings on Hibiscus trionum petals and evolutionary conservation of root epidermal patterning across eudicots. His work integrates developmental genetics with evolutionary analysis to understand how cellular patterns emerge and diversify.

His scientific recognition includes the prestigious UKRI Marie Curie Fellowship. Key research contributions involve elucidating conserved gene networks controlling root epidermal cell fate.

Dr. Zhu previously served as a Post-doctorate Research Fellow (2024-2025) at Hong Kong Baptist University where he established the JC STEM Lab of Plant Biology and studied ERAD pathways in phytosterol biosynthesis. His current work in the Glover lab represents a strategic shift toward floral structural evolution.