Current Lab Members:
Jiwei Zhang, Assistant 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.
Weiran Li, Postdoctoral Researcher; [email protected]
Weiran Li is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Dr. Jiwei Zhang’s lab. He joined the lab in October 2020. Weiran Li obtained his B.S from China Agricultural University in Beijing, China, and his Ph.D. from Purdue University. His research background is in molecular and genetic biology of phytopathogenic and wood-decaying fungi. His research in Dr. Zhang’s lab focuses on the genetic manipulation of wood-decaying fungi and the molecular/genetic basis of their wood-decaying mechanism.
Nandin Ganjoloo, 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.
Charles Ayers, Graduate Student, Ph.D. candidate; [email protected]
Charles is a graduate student in the BBSEM program. He obtained his B.S from Earlham College and joined the Zhang Lab in the summer of 2021. His research interests include fungal genetics and the application of fungal biomass degradation pathways towards novel and improved bioremediation technologies for persistent environmental pollutants with a focus on per and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Outside of the lab, his interests include gardening, cooking, and camping.
Adam Haag, 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.
Mathieu Raynaud, Undergraduate Student; [email protected]
Mathieu is an undergraduate student in Biochemistry and Neuroscience at the University of Minnesota. He joined the Zhang lab in the fall of 2022, where he initially served as a laboratory assistant. Since the fall of 2023, Mathieu has been researching and classifying the different physical characteristics of brown-rot fungi, to better understand the relationship between karyotype and wood-decay phenotypes. Outside the lab, he enjoys cooking, being outdoors, and anything that involves spending time with friends and family.
Lab Alumni
Postdoctoral Researchers:
- 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.
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;