Arthropod vector biology and genetics

• Ph. D, Entomology, 2006, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
• MS, Entomology, 1997, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China 
• BA, Entomology, 1994, Beijing Agricultural University, Beijing, China

   

• Associate Professor, College of Life Sciences, Graduate University of CAS (September 2011 -- Current) 
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University (April 2009 - August 2011) 
• Postdoctoral Associate, Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech (February 2008 – April 2009) 
• Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Entomology, Virginia Tech (January 2002- December 2006) 
• Research Engineer, Information Center, China Agricultural University (Former Beijing Agricultural University) (July 1998 - December 2001) 
• Research Assistant, Information Center, China Agricultural University (June1997 - June 1998)

  Fall semester:  Medical Microbiology
  Spring semester: Population Ecology

   

• Zhang, X., X. Ren, D. E. Norris and J. L. Rasgon. 2012. Distribution and infection frequency of 'Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii' in Maryland populations of the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) and culture in an Anopheles gambiae mosquito cell line. Tick and tick-borne diseases. 3: 38-42. 
• Fornadel, C. M., X. Zhang, J. D. Smith, C. D. Paddock, J. R. Arias, D. E. Norris. 2011. High rates of Rickettsia parkeri infection in Gulf Coast Ticks (Amblyomma maculatum) and Identification of "Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae" from Fairfax, Virginia. Vector-borne and zoonotic diseases. 11: 1535-1539. 
• Zhang, X., D. E. Norris and J. L. Rasgon. 2011. Distribution and molecular characterization of Wolbachia endosymbiont and filarial nematodes in Maryland populations of the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum). FEMS Microbiology Ecology. 77: 50-56. 
• Zhang, X., S. Luckhart, Z. Tu, and D. G. Pfeiffer. 2010. Analysis of Wolbachia strains associated with Conotrachelus nenuphar (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in the eastern United States. Environ. Entomol. 39: 396-405. 
• Zhu, J., J. M. Busche, and X. Zhang. 2010. Identification of juvenile hormone target genes in the adult female mosquitoes. Insect Biochem. Mol. Biol. 40: 23-29. 
• Zhang, X., Z. Tu, S. Luckhart, and D. G. Pfeiffer. 2008. Genetic diversity of plum curculio (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) among geographical populations in the eastern United States. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 101: 824-832. 
• Zhang, X., and D. G. Pfeiffer. 2008. Evaluation of reproductive compatibility of inter-strain matings among plum curculio (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) populations in the eastern United States. Environ. Entomol. 37: 1208-1213. 
• Son Y., S. Luckhart, X. Zhang, M. Lieber, and E. E. Lewis. 2008. Effects and implications of antibiotic treatment on Wolbachia -infected vine weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Agric. Forest Entomol. 10: 147-155. 
• Zhang, X. and Z. Shen. 1998. A study on methods for acquisition and processing of entomological multimedia information. Acta Entomol. Sinica. 41 Sup. : 149-155. 
• Zhao, Z., Z. Shen and X. Zhang. 1998. Internet and information resources for entomological researches. Entomological Knowledge 35: 114-119.

My study is focus on arthropod vector biology and genetics. Tick-borne pathogens are leading causes vector-borne diseases in temperate climate area. My interest is detection and isolation of tick-borne bacterial pathogens using molecular biological technology and cell culture technology. Endosymbionts may play a crucial role in many physiological actions of their arthropod hosts. Therefore, I’m also interested in microbial communities and their interactions associated with ticks.