I am currently a Ph.D. student at the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, supervised by Prof.Fei He, since Fall 2023.
My research focuses on wheat genomics and the patterns of gene expression changes during distant hybridization.
Prior to starting my Ph.D., I participated in several large-scale genomics projects as both a lead contributor and team member, including the rice pan-genome project and the locust genome project. I expect to graduate in 2027 and am currently seeking suitable career opportunities.

Selected Publications

Transposable Element–Driven PIEZO Mutation Enhances Locust Flight in Plateau Hypoxia
Xuanzhao Li#, Ying Liu#, Longsheng Xing#, Xianliang Huang#, Yingming Sun#, Lei Yue#, Yuze Zhang#, Huilong Du†, Bing Chen†
Advanced Science 2026
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The homoeolog-resolved assembly of the 40-Gb decaploid Thinopyrum ponticum genome reveals extensive homoeologous exchange and recombination, segmental allopolyploid organization, and allelic variations for wheat improvement
Pingchuan Deng#, Jingzhong Xie#, Xuanzhao Li#†, Xiangqian Chen#, He Dai, Zhengbao Xia, Jingli Fan, Yanzhen Wang, Tingdong Li, Qiaoling Luo, Chunhuan Chen, Jixin Zhao, Changyou Wang, Xinlun Liu, Xue Shi, Liang Wu, Xiaojun Nie, Qi Zheng, Zhensheng Li, Eduard Akhunov, Fei He†, Wanquan Ji†
Molecular Plant 2026
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A haplotype-resolved genome assembly of tetraploid Medicago sativa ssp. falcata
Wanying Li# , Xuanzhao Li#, Wei Li, Haibo Yang, Diandian Guo, Ting Guo, Yingying Meng, Qiang He, Hao Lin, Huilong Du†, Lifang Niu†
Science China Life Sciences 2025

Pan-genome analysis of 33 genetically diverse rice accessions reveals hidden genomic variations
Peng Qin#†, Hongwei Lu#, Huilong Du#, Hao Wang#, Weilan Chen#, Zhuo Chen#, Qiang He, Shujun Ou, Hongyu Zhang, Xuanzhao Li, Xiuxiu Li, Yan Li, Yi Liao, Qiang Gao, Bin Tu, Hua Yuan, Bingtian Ma, Yuping Wang, Yangwen Qian, Shijun Fan, Weitao Li, Jing Wang, Min He, Junjie Yin, Ting Li, Ning Jiang, Xuewei Chen, Chengzhi Liang†, Shigui Li†
Cell 2021

Research Interests

Distant hybridization is an important strategy for overcoming the limitations of intraspecific genetic diversity and facilitating the transfer of valuable genetic resources across species boundaries. It also serves as an important system for crop genetic improvement and the study of genome evolution. The introgression of alien chromosomal segments not only confers desirable agronomic traits on crops but also reshapes the recipient genome at multiple levels, including genome organization, gene expression, and regulatory networks. During my Ph.D., my research has focused on wheat–Thinopyrum ponticum introgression lines. By integrating population genomics, transcriptomics, and bioinformatics approaches, I investigate the patterns of introgression, retention, and stable inheritance of alien chromosomal segments in the wheat genome, elucidate the effects of alien genetic variation on host gene expression networks and regulatory mechanisms, and uncover the molecular basis underlying the coordinated evolution of alien genetic material and the host genome during distant hybridization.