Professor Zhang was born in February 1961. In January 1982, he received his bachelor degree from the Department of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural College (now the College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University). In August 1986, he completed his master study from the Institute of Hydrobiology (major: hydrobiology; Tutor: Prof. Chen Peixun). In December 2001, he earned a Ph.D. from the Institute of Hydrobiology (Sino-Japanese Joint Training Program, major: hydrobiology; Tutor: Academician Liu Jiankang, Professor Hidehiro Kato). 

Since 1983, he has been engaged in the research on the conservation biology of rare aquatic mammals including the Baiji river dolphin and the Yangtze finless porpoise, the research on the resources, ecology, and protection of rare aquatic organisms, aquarium science and technology research, and science communication research. In specific, he hosted the feasibility study of the Swan Island (Tian-e-Zhou) National Baiji River Dolphin Nature Reserve in Shishou, Hubei Province and the National Baiji River Dolphin Nature Reserve in Xinluo Section of the Yangtze River and the planning and implementation of these two nature reserves. He participated in the ecology and breeding biology of Baiji river dolphin and Yangtze finless porpoise and the establishment of ex-situ conservation population of Yangtze finless porpoise in Swan Island (Tian-e-Zhou). Also, he has presided over many projects from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Knowledge Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Characteristics Institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture, regional institutions in Wuhan, and some enterprises. Besides, he has participated in management and service works of projects hosted or participated by the Institute of Hydrobiology, such as “973 programs” and “863 programs” of the Ministry of Science and Technology, “basic projects”, “water special projects” of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, “pilot projects” of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, cooperation projects between institutes and local regions, international cooperation projects, etc. 

In the Institute of Hydrobiology, Professor Zhang served as vice director of research lab, vice director of research center, and director of research business division. He also served as vice Mayor of Huangshi City in Hubei Province (temporary post), etc. Moreover, he has published more than 50 scientific research papers or monographs, hosted the editions of 14 science education monographs, and issued over 1 million copies of the total number of books. Besides, he has obtained 1 invention patent and 2 utility model patents, hosted the editions of 3 national aquarium industry standards, and participated in consultation services of constructions of dozens of aquariums, museums, science and technology museums. 

Social Positions  

1.Head of the Science Education Group of Wuhan Scientists in the Chinese Academy of Sciences  

2.Vice chairman of the Wuhan Science Education Research Society 

3.Vice chairman of the Baiji River Dolphin Conservation Foundation of Wuhan 

4.Vice chairman of the Hubei Science Education Writers Association 

5.Vice chairman of the Hubei Science and Technology Media Association 

6.Vice chairman of the Wuhan Natural Science Museum Society 

7.Member of the Scientific Committee of Endangered Species of the People's Republic of China 

8.Member of the Scientific Committee of Endangered Aquatic Wildlife Species of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs 

8.Member of the Chinese Association of Natural Science Museum and member of the Aquarium Affairs Committee  

9.Member of the Steering Committee of the International Aquarium Network 

10.Head of the Expert Advisory Committee of the National Aquatic Wildlife Conservation Association and head of the Aquarium Expert Group 

11.Editorial board of Acta Theriologica Sinica 

1. Zhang X, Chen P. 1992. Studies of the Age Determination, Growth and Reproduction of Finless Porpoise Neophocaena phocaenoides [J]. Acta Hydrobiologica Sinica, 16(4): 289-297. (in Chinese) 

2. Zhang X et al. 1993. The Population of Finless Porpoises in the Middle and Lower Reaches of Yangtze River [J]. Acta Theriologica Sinica, 13(4): 260-270. (in Chinese) 

3. Chen P, Liu R, Wang D, Zhang X. 1997. The Biology, Breeding and Protection of the Baiji [M]. Science Press, Beijing. (in Chinese) 

4. Zhang X, Jiang G et al. 2001. Impacts on Baiji and Finless Porpoise by Some Projects of Preventing and Controlling Flood in the Yangtze River, with Conservation Strategies [J]. Resources and Environment in the Yangtza Basin, 10(3): 236-242. (in Chinese) 

5. Zhang X, Wang S, et al. 2001. An Aquarium Survey in China [J]. Bulletin de l’Institut océano graphique, Monaco., Numéro spécial 20, fascicule 1, 97-105. 

6. Xiao W, Zhang X. 2002. Distribution and Population Size of Yangtze Finless Porpoise in Poyang Lake and Its Branches [J]. Acta Theriologica Sinica, 22(1): 7-14. (in Chinese) 

7. Zhang X, Wang D, Liu R, et al. 2003. The Yangtze River Dolphin or Baiji (Lipotes vexillifer): Population Status and Conservation Issues in the Yangtze River, China [J]. Aquatic Conservation, 13(1): 51-64. (SCI, 1.09) 

8. Du B, Li H, Zhang X*. 2003. Progresses and Perspectives of the Conservation Studies of The Yangtze River Dolphin or Baiji (Lipotes vexillifer) [J]. Zoological Research, 24(5): 395-400. (in Chinese) 

9. Wei Z, Wang D, Zhang X* et al. 2004. Aggregation and Spatio-Temporal Distribution of the Yangtze Finless Porpoise Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaeorientalis in Tian-e-Zhou National Baiji Reserve [J]. Acta Hydrobiologica Sinica, 28(3): 247-251. (in Chinese) 

10. Zhang P, Zhao Q, Zhou Z, Zhang X*. 2011. Paternity Testing of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursipos spp) under Human Care by Microsatellite Genotyping [J]. Fisheries Science, (08): 495-500. (in Chinese) 

11. Zhang X, Li L, Wei Q*，Zhang X* et al. 2011. Effects of Culturing Density on Behavior and Immunity of Captive Acipenser sinensis and on the Water Quality of Their Living Pool [J]. Resources and Environment in the Yangtza Basin, 2011(11): 1348-1354. (in Chinese) 

12. Zhang X, Li L, Zhang Y, Wei Q*, Zhang X* et al. 2013. Effects of Gonad Development and Age on the Antioxidant Defenses of Chinese Sturgeon (Acipenser sinnesis) [J]. Resources and Environment in the Yangtza Basin, 2013(8): 1049-1055. (in Chinese) 

13. Hao Y, Wang K, Han J, Zhen J, Xian Y, Yao Z, Lu Z, Li H, Zhang X*. 2011. Marine mammal researches in China [J]. Acta Theriologica Sinica, 31(1): 20-36. (in Chinese) 

14. Li H, Zhang X*, Hidehiro Kato, Toshihide Iwasaki. 2005. Age determination and growth of spotted dolphins Stenella attenuata of Pacif ic coast of Japan [J]. Acta Zoologica Sinica, 53(3): 476-485. (in Chinese) 

15. Hua Y, Zhang X* et al. 2005. Age Discrimination of Takifugu obscurus Abe [J]. Acta Hydrobiologica Sinica, 29(3): 279-284. (in Chinese) 

16. Guo Z, Zhao Q, Zhang X*. 2007. Diagnosis and Treatment of Pneumonia Caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaeorientalis) [J]. Acta Theriologica Sinica, 27(1): 86-91. (in Chinese) 

17. Zhang P, Han J, Liu Q, Zhang J, Zhang X*. Sex Identification of Four Penguin Species using Locus-Specific PCR [J]. Zoo Biology, 2013, 32(3): 257-261. (IF=1.212, 75/136) 

18. Zhang P, Sun N, Yao Z, Zhang X*. Historical and Current Records of Cetaceans Held in Aquaria in China [J]. Zoo Biology, 2012, 31(3): 336~349. (IF=1.114, 75/136) 

19. Wei Q*, Zhang X, Zhang X*, Liu J, Yang D, Zhu Y, Chen X, Wu X, Li L, Liu J. 2011. Acclimating and maintaining Chinese sturgeon Acipenser sinensis in a large aquarium environment [J]. Journal of Applied Ichthyology 27(2): 533-540. (IF=1.24, 34/50) 

20. Li H, Zhang X*, Wang D, Chen D, 2009. Ultrastructure of the Spermatozoa of the Yangtze Finless Porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaeorientalis) [J]. Anat. Histol. Embryol. 38, 300-304. (IF=0.719, 18/21) 

21. Zhang X, Wei Q*, Zhang X, Wu X, Wang Y, Li L, Yue X, Liu J. 2011. Changes in serum biochemical parameters of Acipenser sinensis, Gray 1835, caused by decreasing environmental salinity [J]. Journal of Applied Ichthyology 27(2): 235-240. 

22. Zhang X, Jiang Y. 2007. Environmental Education (8^th grade) [M]. Hubei Science and Technology Press, Wuhan. (in Chinese) 

23. Zhang X, Jiang Y. 2007. Environmental Education (7^th grade) [M]. Hubei Science and Technology Press, Wuhan. (in Chinese) 

24. Gao B, Zhang X*, Wang X. 2008. Moment - Save the Endangered Animals of the Yangtze River with Lens [M]. Science Press, Beijing. (in Chinese) 

25. Zhang X, Wang S. 2009. Aquariums in China [M]. China Ocean Press, Beijing. (in Chinese) 

26. Zhang X, Jiang Y. 2010. Low-Carbon Life Knowledge [M]. Hubei Science and Technology Press, Wuhan. (in Chinese) 

27. Zhang X, Wang S. 2010. An Insight into Aquarium [M]. Beijing Science and Technology Press, Beijing. (in Chinese) 

28. Zhang X, Jiang Y. 2012. Environmental Education I (8^th grade) [M]. Hubei Science and Technology Press, Wuhan. (in Chinese) 

29. Zhang X, Jiang Y. 2012. Environmental Education II (8^th grade) [M]. Hubei Science and Technology Press, Wuhan. (in Chinese) 

30. Zhang X, Jiang Y. 2013. Environmental Education I (7^th grade) [M]. Hubei Science and Technology Press, Wuhan. (in Chinese) 

31. Zhang X, Jiang Y. 2013. Environmental Education II (7^th grade) [M]. Hubei Science and Technology Press, Wuhan. (in Chinese) 

32. Zhang X, Jiang Y. 2015. Environmental Education I (9^th grade) [M]. Hubei Science and Technology Press, Wuhan. (in Chinese) 

33. Zhang X, Jiang Y. 2015. Environmental Education II (9^th grade) [M]. Hubei Science and Technology Press, Wuhan. (in Chinese)。 

34. Zhang X, Liu P et al. 2019. The Mystery inside Primary School Textbooks I [M]. Chongwen Publishing House. 

35. Zhang X, Liu P et al. 2019. The Mystery inside Primary School Textbooks II [M]. Chongwen Publishing House. 

* corresponding author