Director of kinesiology department | Nanjing Sport Institute | China
Yuan Zhang is a distinguished professor and the Director of the Kinesiology Department at the School of Sports and Health, Nanjing Sport Institute, China. He has dedicated his career to advancing research in exercise interventions for chronic diseases and mitochondrial regulation. With extensive academic and research experience, Professor Zhang has significantly contributed to the fields of sports science and health.
Profile
Scopus
Strengths for the Awards
- Extensive Research Contributions – Yuan Zhang has an impressive record of over 30 publications, including studies in high-impact journals such as Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, and Free Radical Biology & Medicine.
- Significant Research Impact – His work on exercise interventions in chronic diseases, mitochondrial regulation, and metabolic health has contributed to advancing knowledge in sports science, kinesiology, and health.
- International Collaboration – Zhang has conducted research abroad at York University in Canada, showing strong global research engagement.
- Leadership and Academic Recognition – Currently serving as a Professor and Director at the Nanjing Sport Institute, demonstrating recognition as a leading expert in his field.
- Funding and Grants – He has successfully secured multiple research grants from prestigious sources such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China, reflecting strong research credibility.
Education 🎓
Professor Zhang pursued his Bachelor of Education at Dalian University (2002-2006), followed by a Master of Education at East China Normal University (2006-2009). He further obtained his Doctor of Education from the same institution (2009-2013). Additionally, he undertook a joint doctoral program at York University, Canada, from 2010 to 2012, gaining international exposure to advanced research in kinesiology and health sciences.
Professional Experience 💼
Professor Zhang has a robust academic career. He started as an instructor at the Nanjing Sport Institute (2013-2018), later serving as a postdoctoral researcher at Shanghai Jiaotong University (2018-2022). He was promoted to Associate Professor at Nanjing Sport Institute (2018-2023) and currently holds the position of Professor (since 2023), contributing to teaching, research, and departmental leadership.
Research Interests On Biology 🔬
Professor Zhang specializes in exercise interventions for chronic diseases and mitochondrial regulation. His work focuses on understanding how physical activity influences cellular mechanisms, particularly in metabolic disorders such as diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). His research aims to develop effective exercise-based strategies for health improvement.
Awards and Recognitions 🏆
Professor Zhang has received several prestigious awards, including:
- First Prize (2021): School-level teaching achievement award, Jiangsu, China.
- Third Prize (2021): School-level teaching achievement award, Jiangsu, China.
- Second Prize (2020): Third Teaching Competition for Young Teachers, Jiangsu Province.
- Second Prize (2018): School-level teaching achievement award, Jiangsu, China.
- Second Prize (2017): Micro-course teaching contest in colleges and universities of Jiangsu Province.
Publications 📖
- Xiang, M. et al. (2024)
- Title: Effects of exercise, metformin, and combination treatments on type 2 diabetic mellitus-induced muscle atrophy in db/db mice: Crosstalk between autophagy and the proteasome
- Journal: Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry
- Citations: 5
- Yuan, X.-M. et al. (2024)
- Title: Beneficial Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training and Dietary Changes Intervention on Hepatic Fat Accumulation in HFD-Induced Obese Rats
- Journal: Physiological Research
- Citations: 0
- Lu, J. et al. (2023)
- Title: High-intensity interval training alleviates exhaustive exercise-induced HSP70-assisted selective autophagy in skeletal muscle
- Journal: The Journal of Physiological Sciences
- Citations: 1
- Liu, Y. et al. (2023)
- Title: Changes of endoplasmic reticulum stress level in skeletal muscle during recovery acute exhaustive exercise
- Journal: Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine
- Citations: 0
- Liu, J. et al. (2023)
- Title: The combination of exercise and metformin inhibits TGF-β1/Smad pathway to attenuate myocardial fibrosis in db/db mice by reducing NF-κB–mediated inflammatory response
- Journal: Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy
- Citations: 15
- Zhang, Y. et al. (2022)
- Title: Exercise and Metformin Intervention Prevents Lipotoxicity-Induced Hepatocyte Apoptosis by Alleviating Oxidative and ER Stress and Activating the AMPK/Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway in db/db Mice
- Journal: Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity
- Citations: 18
- Zhang, Y. et al. (2022)
- Title: Effects of different exercise on liver lipid accumulation and FGF21 secretion in obese rats
- Journal: Chinese Journal of Applied Physiology
- Citations: 1
- Lu, J. et al. (2021)
- Title: Morphological and functional characterization of diabetic cardiomyopathy in db/db mice following exercise, metformin alone, or combination treatments
- Journal: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
- Citations: 9
- Zhang, Y. et al. (2020)
- Title: The intersection of exercise and aging on mitochondrial protein quality control
- Journal: Experimental Gerontology
- Citations: 29
- Zhang, Y. et al. (2016)
- Title: Absence of Bax and Bak: Implications for Autophagy and Alternative Mitochondrial Functions
- Book: Autophagy: Cancer, Other Pathologies, Inflammation, Immunity, Infection, and Aging Volume 9: Human Diseases and Autophagosome
- Citations: 0
Conclusion 🔍
Professor Yuan Zhang is a dedicated academician and researcher with profound contributions to exercise science. His work in chronic disease intervention and mitochondrial regulation has paved the way for innovative health strategies. Through his commitment to research, teaching, and mentorship, he continues to inspire the next generation of scholars in the field of kinesiology and sports health sciences.
