Yunde Zhao

Yunde Zhao is the Tata Chancellor's Endowed Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of California San Diego. His research focuses on auxin biosynthesis and signaling in plants, particularly in Arabidopsis and rice. He leads the Zhao Lab, which develops innovative technologies like the RUBY reporter system and CRISPR-based genome editing tools.

Education: PhD in Biochemistry from University of Michigan; postdoctoral training at Salk Institute as an HHMI Fellow.

Research Interests: Auxin-dependent organogenesis, YUC enzyme regulation, CRISPR applications, and plant hormone pathways. Current projects include dissecting the genetic framework of lateral organ formation and spatial control of auxin production.

Awards: Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellow of the Life Sciences Research Foundation during postdoctoral training.

Advising & Technology: Supervises PhD/Master's students and undergraduates. Developed RUBY (visual betalain reporter) and TKC (Transgene Killer CRISPR) systems. Key collaborations include global plant science networks.

Labs & Teams: Zhao Lab specializes in plant developmental biology with emphasis on auxin pathways and CRISPR-based innovations. Active in Nature and Addgene collaborations for technology dissemination.