Prof. Tiantao Zhang | Microbial Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Tiantao Zhang, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China

Dr. Tiantao Zhang is a prominent agricultural entomologist specializing in the management of maize pests and pest resistance. He earned his doctoral degree in Agricultural Entomology and Pest Control from Northwest A&F University, followed by a post at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. His research spans pest population dynamics, resistance to Bt and pesticides, and climate-induced pest behavior. A dedicated scientist with international exposure at the University of California, Davis, Dr. Zhang has led national research programs and published extensively in peer-reviewed journals. His work combines field experimentation with molecular and ecological approaches, contributing to sustainable pest management in China and beyond. Dr. Zhang’s scientific leadership and commitment to solving agricultural challenges position him as a standout researcher in plant protection and pest ecology.

Publication Profile: 

Scopus

✅ Strengths for the Award:

1. Proven Scientific Expertise:
   Dr. Zhang has over 15 years of focused research in agricultural entomology, particularly in maize pest management—an area critical to global food security.

2. Leadership in National Projects:
   He is the Principal Investigator of two major National Key R&D Programs of China (2023–2026 and 2025–2028), demonstrating trust from national research institutions and strong project management capability.

3. Research Innovation and Relevance:
   His work on pest population prediction, diapause regulation, and resistance mechanisms to Bt toxins and pesticides addresses urgent agricultural challenges in the face of climate change and biotechnology deployment.

4. Global Collaboration:
   His tenure as a visiting scholar at the University of California, Davis (2018–2019) highlights international research engagement and cross-cultural collaboration.

5. Strong Publication Record:
   Dr. Zhang has published in respected international journals including Scientific Data, Biology, Toxins, and Entomologia Generalis. He covers molecular biology, ecology, and toxicology, reflecting interdisciplinary research breadth.

⚠️ Areas for Improvement:

1. Increased Global Visibility:
   While his research is of high quality, expanding participation in international symposia and authoring high-impact reviews could increase visibility and citation impact.

2. Data Sharing and Open Science:
   Strengthening the availability of raw data and modeling tools (e.g., pest prediction models) through open-access repositories would amplify his research utility and recognition.

3. Mentorship and Outreach:
   Highlighting his role in mentoring young scientists, if applicable, would further support his candidacy as a well-rounded researcher contributing to capacity building.

🎓 Educational Background:

Dr. Zhang’s educational foundation is deeply rooted in plant protection and entomology. He earned his Bachelor of Agriculture degree in Plant Protection from Shihezi University in 2005. Driven by a passion for integrated pest management, he pursued graduate studies at Northwest A&F University, completing a Master of Agriculture (2008) and a Doctor of Agriculture (2011), both in Agricultural Entomology and Pest Control. His academic journey honed his expertise in pest population dynamics, ecological interactions, and biochemical resistance mechanisms. Dr. Zhang’s education laid the groundwork for his future contributions to pest forecasting, Bt resistance research, and sustainable agriculture, bridging traditional agricultural sciences with modern molecular approaches.

💼 Working Experience:

Since December 2011, Dr. Zhang has been a core member of the Corn Insect Pest Laboratory at the Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing. In this role, he has been instrumental in national research projects on maize pest control and climate-responsive pest behavior. Between 2018 and 2019, he broadened his academic perspective as a visiting scholar at the University of California, Davis, where he engaged in collaborative research on pest resistance. His long-standing involvement with the national plant protection institute has enabled him to lead high-profile studies, publish widely, and mentor emerging researchers. Dr. Zhang’s professional trajectory reflects deep commitment, research leadership, and a forward-looking approach to pest ecology and resistance management.

🔬 Research Focus:

Dr. Zhang’s research revolves around sustainable pest management in maize, targeting major pests like Ostrinia furnacalis, Conogethes punctiferalis, and Spodoptera frugiperda. His work delves into pest population dynamics, occurrence modeling, diapause regulation, and early warning systems. A central theme is the genetic and ecological basis of resistance to Bt toxins and chemical pesticides. He investigates resistance selection mechanisms, gene expression changes, and molecular adaptation pathways. Recently, his research expanded into pest responses to climate change, particularly voltinism and diapause shifts. Dr. Zhang integrates entomology, genomics, toxicology, and data modeling to enhance pest forecasting and resistance management. His efforts support China’s food security and contribute globally to environmentally responsible crop protection.

📚 Publications Top Notes: 

1. 🧬 The function of ABCD3 transporter in the insecticidal process of Bt toxins – Entomologia Generalis, 2023

2. 🌡️ Intra-population alteration on voltinism of Asian corn borer in response to climate warming – Biology, 2023

3. 🧬 Chromosome-level genome of a multivoltine biotype Ostrinia furnacalis strain – Scientific Data, 2025

4. ❄️ Evolutionary shift of insect diapause strategy in a warming climate – Biology, 2023

5. 🍑 Artificial diet development for mass rearing of yellow peach moth – Entomological Research, 2021

6. 🧪 Phenotypic responses of lepidopterans to graphene oxide exposure – Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2021

7. 🛡️ Down-regulation of aminopeptidase N and ABC transporter in Bt-resistant Asian corn borer – Int. J. Biological Sciences, 2017

8. 🧲 Binding affinity of five PBPs to Ostrinia sex pheromones – BMC Molecular Biology, 2017

9. 🧫 Structure-function analysis of MhieJHAMT enzyme in juvenile hormone biosynthesis – Int. J. Biological Macromolecules, 2025

10. 🦠 Differential characterization of midgut microbiota in Bt-resistant vs. susceptible Ostrinia furnacalis – Insects, 2025

🧾 Conclusion:

Dr. Tiantao Zhang is a highly qualified and deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His leadership in national research programs, his impactful contributions to pest resistance and ecological forecasting, and his consistent scholarly output place him among the top researchers in agricultural sciences. With strategic focus on enhancing his international visibility and interdisciplinary collaborations, Dr. Zhang is not only contributing to China’s agricultural sustainability but also to global crop protection research.