Ph.D. in Genetics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

• Associate Professor (2025–Present)
   Wenzhou-Kean University (WKU), Wenzhou, China

• Assistant Professor (2019–2025)
   Wenzhou-Kean University (WKU), Wenzhou, China

• Program Manager (2018–2019)
   Mount Vernon Pipeline to College Partnership Program with Lehman College, City University of New York, NY, USA

• Research Assistant Professor / Adjunct Assistant Professor (2011–2019)
   Lehman College, CUNY, NY, USA
   Courses Taught: General Biology, Microbiology, Genetics, Experimental Microbiology

• Adjunct Assistant Professor (2017–2019)
   Mercy College, NY, USA
   Courses Taught: General Biology, Microbiology, Genetics

• Postdoctoral Researcher (2010–2011)
   Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA

My research focuses on translating microbiology and biotechnology into practical applications for human health, sustainable industries, and science education. Current interests include:

• Alcohol detoxification technologies based on microbial enzymes, probiotics, and synthetic biology approaches.

• Functional microorganisms and engineered biological systems for the production of health-promoting compounds and industrial bioproducts.

• Biotechnology-enabled modernization of traditional crafts and fermentation processes, including enzyme-assisted indigo dyeing and other applications related to intangible cultural heritage.

• Host–microbe interactions and microbial ecology relevant to health, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.

• Research-based undergraduate education and innovative laboratory teaching in microbiology and biotechnology.

Students interested in participating in research projects are encouraged to contact me.

• General Biology (BIO1000, BIO1400)
• Foundations of Environmental Science (ENV1100)
• Microbiology (BIO3315 & BIO3315L Zhejiang Provincial First-Rate Course 浙江省一流课程)
• Cell Biology (BIO4236)
• Capstone Course: Seminar in Integrative Biology (BIO4970)
• Molecular Biology of Cancer (STME5310)
• Advanced Molecular & Cellular Techniques (STME5170)

• National Third Prize, 8th National Life Science Competition (Chen Chen, Jinyang Jiang, Qizhen Zhong; 2023)
• Zhejiang Provincial Third Prize, 8th National Life Science Competition (Shiqi Jin, Xindi Zou, Keshuo Luo, Ziyu Zhang, Bingyan Yuan; 2023)
• Best Oral Presentation Award, WKU Student Research Day (Chen Chen & Jinyang Jiang, 2023; Zhonghao Chen & Shiqi Jin, 2022; Changyi Sun, 2021)

Research Publications

1. Chen, C., Zhou, X., Jiang, J., Zhong, Q., Jin, S., Kastrat, E., ... & Zhang, B^*. (2027). Genetic diversity and functional insights of nattokinase variants in Bacillus. Journal of Future Foods, 7(1), 314-321. (^*Corresponding author; Undergraduate Research; JCR Q1 & CAS Tier 1 TOP)
2. Zhu, X., Luo, K., Zou, X., Jin, S., Li, J., Chen, Y., ... & Zhang, B^*. (2026). Decoupling of allele frequency and predicted pathogenicity in the tandem repeat filaggrin (FLG) gene. Scientific Reports. (^*Corresponding author; Undergraduate Research; JCR Q1)
3. Luo, K., Zhou, X., Zou, X., Jin, S., Ge, Z., Zhu, X. ... Zhang, B^*. (2026). Buccal cells as a non‑invasive model for filaggrin protein expression and degradation in patients with atopic dermatitis. Biomedical Reports, 25, 107. (^*Corresponding author; Undergraduate Research; JCR Q3)
4. Zhou, Z., Chen, Z., Li, Y., Mao, X., Chen, J., Zhou, X., & Zhang, B^*. (2025). Advances in solubilization and stabilization techniques for structural and functional studies of membrane proteins. PeerJ, 13, e19211. (^*Corresponding author; Undergraduate Research; JCR Q2)

Educational Research

1. Zhou, X., & Zhang, B^*. (2024). Zhou, X., & Zhang, B. (2024). Enhancing Microbiology Laboratory Course: A Practical Approach to Project-Based Learning via Skin Bacteria Analysis. The American Biology Teacher, 86(8), 526-528. (^*Corresponding author)
2. Zhou, X., Xu, Y., Zeng, Y., X., & Zhang, B^*. (2024). Revamping of microbiology laboratory teaching in universities through project-based learning. Microbiology China, 51(4), 1281-1289. (^*Corresponding author)

Other Publications

1. Zhang, B., Zhong, X., Sauane, M., Zhao, Y., & Zheng, Z. L. (2020). Modulation of the Pol II CTD phosphorylation code by Rac1 and Cdc42 small GTPases in cultured human cancer cells and its implication for developing a synthetic-lethal cancer therapy. Cells, 9(3), 621.
2. Zhang, B., Yang, G., Chen, Y., Zhao, Y., Gao, P., Liu, B., … & Zheng, Z. L. (2016). C-terminal domain (CTD) phosphatase links Rho GTPase signaling to Pol II CTD phosphorylation in Arabidopsis and yeast. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 113(50), 201605871.