Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kun Zhang | Insect Toxicology | Best Researcher Award

Hainan University, China

Dr. Kun Zhang is a dedicated entomologist and Associate Professor at Hainan University’s Nanfan College . He specializes in insect toxicology and the integrated pest management of melon and vegetable crops, contributing significantly to agricultural pest resistance research. Recognized as a high-level talent in Hainan Province, Dr. Zhang focuses on major insect pests such as Megalurothrips usitatus, Frankliniella occidentalis, and Drosophila suzukii. Using cutting-edge techniques like RNA interference, transgenic plants, and bioinformatics , he explores the molecular mechanisms behind pesticide resistance. He has published numerous impactful studies in SCI-indexed journals and collaborates on national-level projects. As a doctoral supervisor, he mentors emerging scientists and plays an active role in entomological communities. With a passion for sustainable agriculture and innovation , Dr. Zhang continues to push boundaries in insecticide resistance research and precision pest control, bridging lab science with practical crop protection solutions.

Profile

Orcid

 

🎓 Education

Dr. Kun Zhang has pursued an academically rigorous path in agricultural sciences . He earned his Doctor of Agriculture degree from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and China Agricultural University (2018–2022), focusing on molecular mechanisms of pest resistance. Prior to that, he completed his Master’s (2015–2018) and Bachelor’s (2011–2015) degrees in Entomology and Plant Protection at Henan Agricultural University . During these academic phases, he deepened his expertise in insect physiology, toxicology, and integrated pest management. His doctoral work applied molecular biology and electrophysiology to insecticide resistance, laying the foundation for his postdoctoral and academic career. These formative years were marked by early involvement in research and laboratory experiments , preparing him to contribute significantly to China’s pest management strategies and agricultural biotechnology. With a strong blend of foundational theory and applied science, Dr. Zhang’s educational background supports his position as a thought leader in agricultural entomology.

🧪 Experience

Dr. Kun Zhang’s professional journey in academia began as a Lecturer at Hainan University in July 2022 and quickly progressed to Associate Professor by December 2023 . At Nanfan College, he teaches, mentors graduate students, and leads research on insecticide resistance mechanisms in vegetable and melon pests. His career has been shaped by active involvement in several high-level national research initiatives, including regional and joint fund projects under the National Natural Science Foundation of China . He applies a diverse set of techniques—ranging from cell transfection and bioinformatics to voltage clamp assays—to investigate resistance in field and lab settings. Dr. Zhang has authored over ten peer-reviewed articles in SCI journals and collaborates closely with experts on national key research projects. In addition to research and teaching, he serves as Deputy Secretary-General of the Hainan Alumni Liaison Office of Henan Agricultural University, strengthening academic networks and promoting scientific collaboration .

🏅 Awards & Honors

Dr. Kun Zhang has received notable recognition for his academic excellence and research achievements . In 2022, he was honored as an E-Class Talent under the Hainan Free Trade Port initiative, followed by a full-time E-Class Talent designation in Sanya Yalong Bay Science and Technology City in 2023 . That same year, he contributed to the award-winning Second Outstanding Graduate Supervisor Team of Hainan University, reflecting his commitment to academic mentorship and talent cultivation. In 2024, he received the Second Prize in Science and Technology from the Hainan Entomological Society , recognizing his impactful work on pesticide resistance in agricultural pests. His scholarly influence is reflected in numerous publications in leading journals such as Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, and Pest Management Science. Dr. Zhang’s consistent recognition at institutional, regional, and national levels underscores his contribution to science, teaching, and agricultural sustainability .

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Kun Zhang’s research focuses on the molecular toxicology and resistance mechanisms of key agricultural pests affecting melons and vegetables . He investigates how insect neural receptors—particularly nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and sodium ion channels—mediate resistance to major classes of insecticides including neonicotinoids, pyrethroids, and spinosad. His studies target pest species such as Megalurothrips usitatus, Thrips palmi, and Frankliniella occidentalis, applying interdisciplinary techniques like RNAi, electrophysiology, transgenic expression systems, and in silico simulations . Dr. Zhang also explores gene mutations associated with knockdown resistance (kdr) and metabolic resistance using advanced bioinformatics and functional genomics. His research, funded by the NSFC and the Ministry of Science and Technology, not only elucidates resistance pathways but also contributes to developing targeted, sustainable pest control strategies. With over ten SCI-indexed publications and growing international recognition, Dr. Zhang’s work bridges theoretical toxicology and field-level pest management, benefiting both science and agriculture .

Conclusion

Publication

 1. The amino acid Ser223 acts as a key site for the binding of Thrips palmi α1 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor to neonicotinoid insecticides

• Journal: Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology

• Year: 2025-06

• DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2025.106484

• Authors: Kun Zhang, Jianwen Chen, Huixiu Huang, Huiqi Wen, Jingfang Yang, Junjie Geng, Shaoying Wu

 2. Functional Characterization of Double Mutations T929I/K1774N in the Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel of Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall) Related to Pyrethroid Resistance

• Journal: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

• Year: 2024-05-29

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c00355

• Authors: Ruibo Gao, Shuyue Ma, Junjie Geng, Kun Zhang, Limin Xian, Kaiyang Liu, Peng Cao, Zhiguang Yuchi, Shaoying Wu

3. Mutation V65I in the β1 Subunit of the Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Confers Neonicotinoid and Sulfoxaflor Resistance in Insects

• Journal: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

• Year: 2024-03-20

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c09456

• Authors: Kun Zhang, Longwei Chen, Jianwen Chen, Huixiu Huang, Kaiyang Liu, Yi Zhang, Jingfang Yang, Shaoying Wu

 4. Functional Diversity of Voltage‐Gated Sodium Channel in Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura)

• Journal: Pest Management Science

• Year: 2024-02

• DOI: 10.1002/ps.7786

• Authors: Linlin Yuan, Kun Zhang, Zhenglei Wang, Limin Xian, Kaiyang Liu, Shaoying Wu

 5. Functional Diversity of Sodium Channel Variants in Common Eastern Bumblebee, Bombus impatiens

• Journal: Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology

• Year: 2023-12

• DOI: 10.1002/arch.22052

• Authors: Longwei Chen, Yuquan Wang, Kun Zhang, Shaoying Wu

 6. An Insertion in Intron 3 of nAChR α6 Subunit Is Associated with Spinosad Resistance in the Western Flower Thrips Frankliniella occidentalis

• Journal: Entomologia Generalis

• Year: 2023-09-06

• DOI: 10.1127/entomologia/2022/1733

• Authors: Kun Zhang, Jiangjiang Yuan, Yanran Wan, Jing Wang, Xiaobin Zheng, Youjun Zhang, Shaoying Wu, Pei Liang, Xuguo Zhou, Qingjun Wu

 7. Detection of Putative Mutation I873S in the Sodium Channel of Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall) Which May Be Associated with Pyrethroid Resistance

• Journal: Insects

• Year: 2023-04-17

• DOI: 10.3390/insects14040388

• Authors: Ruibo Gao, Rongcai Lu, Xinyao Qiu, Likui Wang, Kun Zhang, Shaoying Wu

 8. Functional Characterization of Knockdown Resistance Mutation L1014S in the German Cockroach, Blattella germanica (Linnaeus)

• Journal: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

• Year: 2023-02-15

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c05625

• Authors: Kaiyang Liu, Shuyue Ma, Kun Zhang, Ruibo Gao, Haifeng Jin, Peng Cao, Zhiguang Yuchi, Shaoying Wu

 9. Susceptibility Levels of Field Populations of Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) to Seven Insecticides in China

• Journal: Crop Protection

• Year: 2022-03

• DOI: 10.1016/j.cropro.2021.105886

• Authors: Kun Zhang, Jiangjiang Yuan, Jing Wang, Dengke Hua, Xiaobin Zheng, Min Tao, Zhen Zhang, Yanran Wan, Shuaiyu Wang, Youjun Zhang, et al.

 10. Molecular Characterization and Functional Expression of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Variants in Apolygus lucorum (Meyer-Dür)

• Journal: Pest Management Science

• Year: 2020-02

• DOI: 10.1002/ps.5748

• PMID: 31944525

• Authors: Zhang K, Chen M, Wang H, Duan W, Wang Q, Li F, Deng D, Bandason E, Wu S