I have always been fascinated by the beauty and complexity of plants, which led me on an academic journey across multiple institutions and countries. I earned my Bachelor’s degree from Huazhong Agricultural University in 2006, followed by a Master’s from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2009. In 2014, I completed my Ph.D. at Baylor University in the United States, and then spent several years as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Connecticut until early 2021.

Currently, I’m a faculty member at the College of Horticulture at Nanjing Agricultural University, where my research explores the genetic, developmental, and evolutionary mechanisms that shape flower color and morphology. One of my most exciting discoveries was uncovering the molecular basis of the “reaction-diffusion” model first proposed by Alan Turing in 1952, providing a long-sought explanation for how plants generate diverse floral patterns. Additionally, my work on sympetalous flower development introduced a new model for auxin signal distribution, expanding traditional theories in plant developmental biology. My research on pistil style length has also shed light on how auxin dynamics influence cell division and elongation, offering valuable insights for molecular breeding strategies.

I’ve had the privilege of publishing my findings in journals such as Science Advances, Current Biology, The Plant Cell, and New Phytologist. Currently, I’m leading several research projects, including the high-level talent introduction project at Nanjing Agricultural University and the Excellent Young Scientists Fund of the National Natural Science Foundation of China. I’m always excited to explore new ideas and collaborate with fellow researchers who share my passion for plant science.