Mr. Congnan Sun | Animal Behavior Ecology | Best Researcher Award
Associate professor | Hebei Normal University, China
Congnan Sun (Ph.D.) is an Associate Professor at the School of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, China. He specializes in animal behavior and behavioral ecology, focusing particularly on bats and their complex communication signals. His interdisciplinary research combines field ecology, bioacoustics, and evolutionary biology, and has produced numerous high-impact publications. Sun completed his doctoral research on animal behavioral ecology and served as a visiting scholar at Tel Aviv University, enhancing his global academic perspective. He mentors master’s students and actively contributes to academic journals and scientific societies.
Profile
Education
B.A. in Bioscience from Yunnan Normal University (2010–2014) laid the foundation for Sun’s interest in animal biology. He pursued his Ph.D. in Ecology at Northeast Normal University (2014–2021), focusing on bat behavior and communication. His doctoral studies emphasized evolutionary patterns and acoustic signaling, merging theoretical knowledge with fieldwork. During his Ph.D., he collaborated internationally, enriching his academic training through interdisciplinary and cross-cultural research exposure, particularly in behavioral ecology and evolutionary biology of chiropteran species.
Experience
Sun began as a Lecturer at Hebei Normal University (2021–2024), then advanced to Associate Professor (2025–present) and M.A. Advisor (2024–present). He was a Visiting Scholar at Tel Aviv University (2020–2021), working with Dr. Yossi Yovel on avian and bat behavior. His academic journey reflects a steady progression, marked by research output, mentorship, and active participation in the scientific community. His career trajectory demonstrates a blend of teaching, international collaboration, and cutting-edge field-based research in animal behavioral science.
Awards & Honors
First National Excellent Doctoral Dissertation in Ecology (2023). Excellent Instructor – Hebei Normal University Innovation Program (2024). Best Presentation – 17th Ornithological Congress (2023). Outstanding Class Teacher & Performance in Teaching Ethics (2022). Advanced Worker & Party Member during COVID-19 fight (2022). Recognized for contributions to teaching practice and academic mentorship across various programs in 2024, showcasing a commitment to excellence in education, science, and public service.
Research Focus
Sun’s research centers on animal behavioral ecology, particularly in wild chiropteran species. He investigates the functions, evolution, and geographic variation of bat communication signals. His work explores how acoustic and chemical signaling drive social behavior, conflict resolution, and territoriality. He also studies animal communication patterns through theoretical frameworks like Zipf’s and Menzerath–Altmann’s laws. With a multidisciplinary approach, Sun contributes significantly to understanding how environmental and evolutionary forces shape animal communication, particularly among social bat species.
Conclusion
Dr. Congnan Sun is highly deserving of the Best Researcher Award. His pioneering work in behavioral ecology, consistent publication record, strong mentorship, and successful grant acquisition underscore his excellence in scientific research. His trajectory signals ongoing and future contributions that will continue to shape the field of animal communication and behavioral science.
Publication
1. Do bats’ social vocalizations conform to Zipf’s law and the Menzerath-Altmann law?
Year: 2024
Authors: Chunmian Zhang, Ziqi Zheng, Jeffrey R. Lucas, Yicheng Wang, Xin Fan, Xin Zhao, Jiang Feng, Congnan Sun, Tinglei Jiang
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2024.110401
2. Resting posture drives the evolution of agonistic displays in bats
Year: 2024
Authors: Chunmian Zhang, Ligen Ji, Ziji Li, Jeffrey R. Lucas, Jiang Feng, Congnan Sun, Tinglei Jiang, Lutz Fromhage, Miriam Zelditch https://doi.org/10.1093/evolut/qpae019
3. Geographic variation and discrimination of social calls in male great himalayan leaf-nosed bats: do functionally similar calls have similar patterns?
Year: 2024
Authors: Chunmian Zhang, Ziqi Zheng, Jeffrey R. Lucas, Jiang Feng, Congnan Sun, Tinglei Jiang https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-024-03459-2
4. Species and habitat specific changes in bird activity in an urban environment during Covid 19 lockdown
Year: 2024
Authors: Congnan Sun, Yoel Hassin, Arjan Boonman, Assaf Shwartz, Yossi Yovel https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.88064.3
5. Species and habitat specific changes in bird activity in an urban environment during Covid 19 lockdown
Year: 2024
Authors: Congnan Sun, Yoel Hassin, Arjan Boonman, Assaf Shwartz, Yossi Yovel https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.88064
6. Species and habitat specific changes in bird activity in an urban environment during Covid 19 lockdown (Preprint)
Year: 2023
Authors: Congnan Sun, Yoel Hassin, Arjan Boonman, Assaf Shwartz, Yossi Yovel https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.88064.2
7. Species and habitat specific changes in bird activity in an urban environment during Covid 19 lockdown (Preprint)
Year: 2023
Authors: Congnan Sun, Yoel Hassin, Arjan Boonman, Assaf Shwartz, Yossi Yovel https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.88064.1
8. Species and habitat specific changes in bird activity in an urban environment during Covid 19 lockdown (Preprint)
Year: 2023
Authors: Congnan Sun, Yoel Hassin, Arjan Boonman, Assaf Shwartz, Yossi Yovel https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.06.03.543542
9. Population‐level lateralization of boxing displays enhances fighting success in male Great Himalayan leaf‐nosed bats
Year: 2023
Authors: Chunmian Zhang, Jeffrey R. Lucas, Jiang Feng, Tinglei Jiang, Congnan Sun https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9879