Dr. Fei Liu | Biological Sciences | Pioneering Scientist Distinction Award

Fei Liu is an associate professor at the School of Life Sciences, Henan University. He holds a Ph.D. in crop genetics and breeding from Huazhong Agricultural University. His research focuses on plant disease resistance, genetic improvement, and molecular mechanisms in oil crops, particularly Brassica species. He has extensive experience in plant pathology and molecular biology, having worked at the Oil Crops Research Institute, the University of Manitoba, and multiple national research projects. Recognized as a Top Young Talent in Central Plains, he actively contributes as an editor and reviewer for leading scientific journals.

Dr. Fei Liu | School of life sciences, Henan University | China

Education

Fei Liu earned a Ph.D. in crop genetics and breeding from the National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and the National Center of Rapeseed Improvement at Huazhong Agricultural University, completing the program in June 2015. Prior to that, he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in agronomy from the College of Plant Science and Technology at Huazhong Agricultural University in 2008.

Experience

Fei Liu has accumulated extensive experience in both research and academia. From June to December 2015, he worked at the Oil Crops Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. He then pursued postdoctoral research at the Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba, from January 2016 to August 2020. Since March 2021, he has been serving as an associate professor at the School of Life Sciences, Henan University.

Awards and Achievements

Fei Liu has received significant research funding and recognition for his contributions to plant science. He is a recipient of the Top Young Talents in Central Plains and has secured multiple research grants, including the Key Scientific Research Projects in Colleges and Universities of Henan Province, the International Science and Technology Cooperation Program in Henan Province, the Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province, and the National Key Research and Development Program of China.

Skills and Certifications

Fei Liu is skilled in molecular biology, plant pathology, and genetic engineering techniques related to crop improvement. He has actively contributed to the scientific community as an editor and reviewer for journals such as Frontiers in Plant Science, Sustainability, Horticulturae, Plants, and the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. He has also organized a special issue focused on improving yield, quality, and resistance in oil crops. His work has been widely presented at international conferences through oral and poster presentations.

Research Focus

His research primarily revolves around plant disease resistance, genetic improvement, and molecular mechanisms in oil crops, particularly Brassica species. He has contributed to projects on the cloning of defense-related genes, functional analyses of WRKY transcription factors in disease resistance, and pathogen population dynamics for sustainable blackleg resistance in canola. His studies have led to the identification of resistance genes and the characterization of pathogenicity factors in fungal infections affecting rapeseed crops.

Conclusion

Dr. Fei Liu is a highly accomplished researcher whose pioneering work in plant genetics, transcription factors, and crop resilience makes him an outstanding candidate for the Research for Pioneering Scientist Distinction Award. His contributions to understanding stress responses in Brassica napus, particularly in disease resistance mechanisms against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, have significantly advanced agricultural biotechnology.

Publications

The central role of transcription factors in bridging biotic and abiotic stress responses for plants’ resilience
Authors: Fei Liu, Mengwei Xi, Tong Liu, Xinyu Wu, Lingyue Ju, Daojie Wang
Journal: New Crops (2024)
Transcription factor WRKY28 curbs WRKY33-mediated resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Brassica napus
Authors: Ka Zhang, Fei Liu, Zhixin Wang, Chenjian Zhuo, Kaining Hu, Xiaoxia Li, Jing Wen, Bin Yi, Jinxiong Shen, Chaozhi Ma et al.
Journal: Plant Physiology (2022)
BnaA03.MKK5-BnaA06.MPK3/BnaC03.MPK3 Module Positively Contributes to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Resistance in Brassica napus
Authors: Ka Zhang, Chenjian Zhuo, Zhixin Wang, Fei Liu, Jing Wen, Bin Yi, Jinxiong Shen, Chaozhi Ma, Tingdong Fu, Jinxing Tu
Journal: Plants (2022)
Genome-Wide Identification and Analysis of the Valine-Glutamine Motif-Containing Gene Family in Brassica napus and Functional Characterization of BnMKS1 in Response to Leptosphaeria maculans
Authors: Zou Z, Liu F, Huang S, Fernando WGD
Journal: Phytopathology (2021)
BnaA03.WRKY28, interacting with BnaA09.VQ12, acts as a brake factor of activated BnWRKY33-mediated resistance outburst against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Brassica napus
Authors: Ka Zhang, Fei Liu, Zhixin Wang, Chenjian Zhuo, Kaining Hu, Xiaoxia Li, Jing Wen, Bin Yi, Jinxiong Shen, Chaozhi Ma et al.
Journal: Preprint (2021)

EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS

Dr. Suilin Zhang began her academic journey with a deep interest in plant molecular biology, specializing in the dormancy and development of high-value crops like blueberries and walnuts. Her early studies focused on plant genetics and crop improvement, providing a strong foundation in molecular markers and genetic analysis.

PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS

Currently affiliated with Beijing Forestry University, Dr. Zhang has contributed extensively to the fields of horticultural and forest crop research. She has played a vital role in advancing walnut breeding and molecular marker development, collaborating with prestigious institutions like the Forestry and Fruit Research Institute of the Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences.

CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS

Dr. Zhang’s primary research areas include the transition of blueberry flower bud dormancy and walnut molecular marker-assisted breeding. She developed 14 high-quality SSR markers and constructed molecular fingerprint maps for 47 walnut germplasm resources, supporting the genetic diversity analysis and identification of F1 progeny from Jinghong 1 and heart-shaped walnuts. This research has significant implications for walnut breeding and crop resilience.

ACADEMIC CITES

Dr. Zhang’s work has been recognized in several esteemed journals, including Scientia Horticulturae, Planta, Forests, Scientific Reports, Plants, and BMC Plant Biology. She has published six SCI papers, enriching the scientific community’s understanding of genetic diversity and dormancy mechanisms in key crops.

IMPACT AND INFLUENCE

Her research contributions have laid a theoretical foundation for the industrial development of blueberries and walnuts. By identifying the low-temperature mediated dormancy mechanism in blueberry flower buds, she has paved the way for improved cultivation practices. Her SSR markers are invaluable tools for breeders, enhancing the selection process for desired traits in walnuts.

LEGACY AND FUTURE AND CONTRIBUTIONS

As a recipient of the Academic First Class Scholarship, Academic Innovation Award, Shen Guofang Forest Cultivation Outstanding Graduate Student Award, and the National Scholarship, Dr. Zhang’s contributions have been widely acknowledged. Moving forward, she is committed to advancing molecular marker technology for DUS testing in new walnut varieties, aiming to support sustainable forestry and agricultural innovation in China

Publications

The Role and Possible Mechanism of Gibberellin (GA) in the Chilling-Mediated Blueberry Dormancy Release and Germination
Authors: Zhang, S.; Wu, X.; Feng, X.; … Song, J.; Hou, Z.
Journal: Scientia Horticulturae, 2024, 336, 113350
Possible Mechanism of Sucrose and Trehalose-6-Phosphate in Regulating the Secondary Flower on the Strong Upright Spring Shoots of Blueberry Planted in Greenhouse
Authors: Wu, H.-L.; Zhang, S.-L.; Feng, X.; … Guo, B.-S.; Hou, Z.-X.
Journal: Plants, 2024, 13(17), 2350
Characterization of the MIKCC-type MADS-box Gene Family in Blueberry and Its Possible Mechanism for Regulating Flowering in Response to the Chilling Requirement
Authors: Zhang, S.-L.; Wu, Y.; Zhang, X.-H.; … Cao, M.; Hou, Z.-X.
Journal: Planta, 2024, 259(4), 77
Development of SSR Markers for and Fingerprinting of Walnut Genetic Resources
Authors: Zhang, S.; Li, Y.; Li, Y.; … Hou, Z.; Qi, J.
Journal: Forests, 2024, 15(3), 405
Molecular Characterization of SPL Gene Family During Flower Morphogenesis and Regulation in Blueberry
Authors: Feng, X.; Zhou, B.; Wu, X.; … Su, S.; Hou, Z.
Journal: BMC Plant Biology, 2023, 23(1), 40