Prof. Dr. Deguo Han | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

Northeast Agricultural University, China

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Early Academic Pursuits

Prof. Dr. Deguo Han began his academic journey in plant sciences, eventually earning his Ph.D. from China Agricultural University, one of China’s top institutions in agricultural research. His foundational interests in plant stress physiology and molecular biology laid the groundwork for his future contributions to cold-region horticulture. From early on, Prof. Han demonstrated an aptitude for experimental research and innovation in plant science, which he later translated into impactful real-world applications.

Professional Endeavors

Currently serving as a professor at the College of Horticulture, Northeast Agricultural University, Prof. Han has amassed a wealth of academic and research experience. Over the years, he has led three National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) projects and is currently overseeing a provincial key R&D program. As a key contributor to national and regional horticultural development, he has also spearheaded five industry collaborations, enhancing cultivation practices and stress resistance in fruit crops.

Contributions and Research Focus

Prof. Han specializes in plant stress physiology, molecular breeding, and fruit quality regulation, particularly in cold environments. His pioneering research has uncovered molecular mechanisms regulating cold and iron stress resistance in fruit trees, significantly advancing the field. His published work—over 80 academic papers, with nearly 30 SCI-indexed as first or corresponding author—appears in respected journals like Biologia Plantarum, Scientia Horticulturae, and Plant Molecular Biology Reporter. His investigations into sugar metabolism in fruits and post-harvest physiology have also contributed to improved fruit storage and processing strategies.

Impact and Influence

Prof. Han’s contributions have had a profound impact on horticulture in cold regions, especially Northeast China. He played a key role in developing stress-tolerant cultivars, contributing to sustainable agriculture in challenging climates. His efforts earned him two provincial awards, including the prestigious Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award. Furthermore, his mentorship has cultivated a new generation of researchers—five of his mentees have secured National Youth Funds—thus ensuring the continuation of excellence in the field.

Academic Publications and Citations

With an H-index of 22, Prof. Han’s research enjoys strong academic visibility and impact. His citation record reflects both the quality and relevance of his work. In addition to peer-reviewed articles, he has contributed to important academic books, including the textbook “Plant Tissue Culture” (ISBN: 9787122163448), part of China’s “12th Five-Year Plan” curriculum, and “Fruit Trees in Heilongjiang” (ISBN: 9787567407237). His patent on the MxCS gene of Malus xiaojinensis (Application No.: 201010165100.1) underscores his innovative edge.

Technical Skills

Prof. Han is adept in a wide range of molecular and physiological techniques, including gene cloning, plant tissue culture, physiological stress assays, and post-harvest quality analysis. His interdisciplinary approach integrates lab-based research with field applications, especially in breeding and high-efficiency cultivation technologies.

Teaching and Mentorship

A dedicated educator, Prof. Han has mentored over 20 postgraduate students, many of whom have progressed to become researchers and academic leaders themselves. He is also a respected editor of Acta Horticulturae Sinica and a guest editor for the Special Issue “Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plant Stress Tolerance” in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. His dual role as a researcher and mentor ensures that theoretical knowledge is effectively translated into practical learning and innovation.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Prof. Han’s legacy is built on scientific rigor, academic mentorship, and real-world impact. As a Council Member in multiple branches of the Chinese Society for Horticultural Science, including the Small Fruit Branch and the Young Scientists’ Branch, and an Executive Council Member of the Horticultural Society of Heilongjiang Province, he continues to shape the direction of Chinese horticultural science. Looking ahead, he aims to develop new molecular tools and crop varieties that can thrive under climate change conditions, thereby bolstering food security and agricultural resilience in cold regions.

Notable Publications

• Overexpression of a transcription factor MdWRKY126 altered soluble sugar accumulation in apple and tomato fruit
  Authors: Lihua Zhang, Yu Xu, Zhexing Luo, Mingjun Li, Deguo Han
  Journal: Horticultural Plant Journal
  Year: 2025

• Overexpression of a Fragaria × ananassa AP2/ERF Transcription Factor Gene (FaTINY2) Increases Cold and Salt Tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana
  Authors: Wenhui Li, Wenhao Zhang, Huiwen Li, Wenquan Yu, Deguo Han
  Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
  Year: 2025

• Arabidopsis thaliana Plants’ Overexpression of the MYB Transcription Factor VhMYB60 in the Face of Stress Hazards Enhances Salt and Cold Tolerance
  Authors: Zhe Chen, Jinghan Wang, Wenhui Li, Xingguo Li, Deguo Han
  Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
  Year: 2025

• Malus xiaojinensis MxbHLH30 Confers Iron Homeostasis Under Iron Deficiency in Arabidopsis
  Authors: Yu Xu, Yingnan Li, Zhuo Chen, Lihua Zhang, Deguo Han
  Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
  Year: 2025

• Changes and Trade-Offs of Ecological Service Functions of Public Welfare Forests (2000–2019) in Southwest Zhejiang Province, China
  Authors: Ziqiang Liu, Deguo Han, Limin Ye, Yuanke Xu, Yong Zhang
  Journal: Forests
  Year: 2024