Current Lab Members:
Jiwei Zhang, Associate Professor, Lab PI; [email protected]
Jiwei Zhang is a tenure-track faculty with a 50/50 position in teaching and research. He talks two courses in the spring and fall semesters - "BBE4608/5608 Environmental and Industrial Microbiology" and "BBE4302/5302 Biodegradation and Bioproducts". He was trained as a Ph.D. in fungal genetics and biology at the National Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology at Shandong University in China. After obtaining his Ph.D. degree, he joined Jonathan Schilling's lab for his postdoctoral research, focusing on studying the wood-decaying mechanisms. In 2019, he joined the University of Minnesota as an Assistant Professor, leading a research team for studying the genetic mechanisms in wood decomposer fungi. His research interests are using system biology and genome editing for large-scale phenotyping in fungi, and further using genetic engineering for biotechnology and bioremediation applications.
Nandin Ganjoloo, PhD Graduate Student; [email protected]
Nandin is a graduate student in the BBESEM program and joined the Zhang lab in August 2023. They received a BA in Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology from Whitman College in 2021 and worked as a Research Technician at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Nandin’s research focuses on developing genetic engineering tools for wood-decay fungi and characterization of fungal al biomass conversion. Outside the lab, they enjoy knitting, crocheting, and spending time in nature.
Adam Haag, PhD Graduate Student; [email protected]
Adam is a graduate student in the BBSEM program. He received a Bachelor's degree in Sustainable Systems Management from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities in May 2023. Adam joined the Zhang Lab as an undergraduate researcher in March 2022. Adam’s research focuses on studying interactions between wood decay fungi and discovering if these interactions can be used to valorize waste material. He is also interested in sustainability and the use of biological processes to remediate environmental pollutants. Adam enjoys traveling, hiking, playing hockey or golf, and spending time with friends and family in his free time.
Henry Langevin, undergraduate student:
Henry is a recent graduate from the School of Environmental, and he is coming to the University of Minnesota to study BBE. He joined the Zhang Lab as an undergraduate research assistant in July of 2025. In his free time, Henry enjoys spending time outside, hiking, camping, cooking, and being with friends.
Jules Pham - Undergraduate Student
Jules is an honors undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota majoring in Biochemistry. She started volunteering in the Zhang Lab in August 2025 and is interested in gaining hands-on research experience in sustainable, eco-friendly biomaterials. Outside of her studies, she enjoys solving puzzles, baking, and hanging out with friends.
Lab Alumni
Postdoctoral Researchers:
- Weiran Li, Postdoctoral Researcher, Nov. 2020-Feb. 2025;
- Weiping Huang, Postdoctoral Researcher, Jan. 2020-Oct. 2020;
- Jesus Castano Uruena, Postdoctoral Researcher, August 2021 - July 2023;
- Nasir Ali, Postdoctoral Researcher, June 2022 - June 2023.
Graduate Students:
- Nandini Singh, Graduate Student, Master, Aug. 2020 - Aug. 2022.
- Charles Ayers, Graduate Student, PhD, July, 2021 - June, 2025.
Undergraduate Students:
- Joshua Goering, Undergraduate Student, Nov. 2020 - May 2021;
- Zoe Pettit, UROP Undergraduate Student, Sep. 2020 - Dec. 2020;
- Lauren Stach, UROP Undergraduate Student, Sep. 2020 - Apr. 2021;
- Lucas Heffernan, Lab Technician, Jul. 2020 - Jan. 2022;
- Sam Nguyen, UROP Undergraduate Student, Sep. 2021 - May 2022;
- Daniel Heikes, Undergraduate Student, Jan. 2024 - May 2024;
- Mathieu Raynaud, Undergraduate Student, Jan. 2024 - Dec. 2024;