Education

2003.9–2006.12

Ph.D.

Major in Herpetology,

College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, P. R. China (Chengdu)

Supervisors: Prof. Er-mi Zhao, Prof. Ya-Ping Zhang

2000.9–2003.6

M.Sc.

Major in Zoology,

College of Life Sciences, Southwest University, P. R. China (Chongqing)

Supervisor: Prof. Yaoguang Zhang

1996.9–2000.6

B. Sc.

Major in Biology,

College of Life Sciences, Southwest University, P. R. China (Chongqing)

Professional Experience

2012.09–Present:

PI, Professor

Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

2019.08–2020.03:

Senior visiting scholar

Work with Prof. David Hillis

Integrative Biology department, University of Texas at Austin, TX

2015.01–2015.04:

Senior visiting scholar

Work with Prof. David B. Wake

Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley, CA

2011.10–2011.12:

Senior Visiting scholar

Work with Prof. David Hillis

Integrative Biology department, University of Texas at Austin, TX

2008.10–2012.09:

Associate Professor,

Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

2008.11–2009.05:

Postdoctoral/Visiting scholarship,

Work with Prof. David B. Wake

Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley, CA

2006.12–2008.09:

Research Assistant,

Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Our lab is dedicated to understanding the origin, evolution, diversity, and conservation of amphibians and reptiles. We bridge the gap between field ecology and cutting-edge genomics through four main research areas:

• 1. Discovering Hidden Diversity & Tree of Life
  We integrate genomic data, morphology, and ecological fieldwork to uncover "cryptic" (hidden) amphibian and reptile species across China and adjacent southeast Asia and south Asia. By resolving long-standing evolutionary controversies, we are building a more accurate Tree of Life for these diverse clades.
• 2. Speciation & Global Biodiversity Patterns
  How do new species form, and what shapes their distribution? We investigate the evolutionary mechanisms and historical environmental drivers behind large-scale biodiversity patterns. This "big picture" research provides a crucial scientific foundation for sustainable global conservation.
• 3. Adaptive Evolution & Genomics
  We want to know how ectotherms survive and thrive in diverse environments. By combining whole-genome sequencing with behavioral and physiological data, we decode the genetic mechanisms that drive unique physical traits and environmental adaptations in amphibians and reptiles.
4. Conservation Biology of Endangered Species
Using the Chinese Giant Salamander as a flagship model, we combine field surveys, ecological monitoring, and genomic data to assess its population status and adaptive potential. These insights directly inform conservation strategies, including in situ habitat protection, captive breeding, and reintroduction programs.

1. Key R&D Program of Yunnan Province (International Joint Laboratory), Grant No. 202503AP140029, July 2025 – Jun. 2028.

2. National Natural Science Foundation of China, Evolutionary Innovation and Remodeling of Key Specific Traits in Animals, Grant No. 32388102, Jan. 2024 – Dec. 2028, Project members.

3. National Natural Science Foundation of China, Amphibian and Reptile Diversity and Evolution, Grant No. 32225010, Jan. 2023 – Dec. 2027.

4. Yunnan Revitalization Talent Support Program——Yunling Scholar Project, Jan. 2023 – Dec. 2027.

5. National Natural Science Foundation of China, Mechanisms of Animal Diversity Formation and Evolution in the Hengduan Mountains: A Case Study of the Genus Diploderma (Reptilia: Agamidae), Grant No. 32130015, Jan. 2021 – Dec. 2026.

6. National Key R&D Program of China, Establishment of a Comprehensive Dynamic Wildlife Monitoring System in the Gaoligong Mountains, Grant No. 2022YFC2602500, Oct. 2022 – Sep. 2025.

2025: Yunnan Provincial Natural Science Award (First Prize)

2023: The 18th China Young Women in Science Award

2021: International Cooperation Award for Young Scientists, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)

2020: Chimelong Rising Star Award, Chinese Society of Zoology (CSZ)

2019: Leading Talent in Scientific and Technological Innovation under the National High-Level Talents Special Support Program

2019: Honorary Foreign Member, American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH)

2018: Advanced Individual in the Women's Achievement Campaign, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)

2017: Leading Talent in Scientific and Technological Innovation for Young and Middle-aged Professionals, Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST)

2017: The 7^th Youth Science and Technology Award, Chinese Society of Zoology (CSZ)

2014: Zhuli Yuehua Outstanding Teacher Award, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)

2011: Lu Jiaxi Youth Talent Award, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)

Books：

1. Jing Che, Ke Jiang, Fang Yan, Yaping Zhang. Amphibians and Reptiles in Tibet—Diversity and Evolution. Beijing: Science Press, 2020.

2. Series on the Diversity of Amphibians and Reptiles in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau——

• Jing Che, Chenqi Lu. Amphibians of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Beijing: Science Press, 2026.
• Jing Che, Kai Wang. Lizards of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Beijing: Science Press, 2026.
• Peng Guo, Jing Che. Snakes in Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Beijing: Science Press, 2024.

3. The Series of Biodiversity in Gaoligong Mountain——

• Amphibians in Gaoligong Mountain. Jing Che, Zhongbin Yu. Kunming：Yunnan Science & Technology Publishing House, 2025 (2026)

Pulications:

1. Chenqi Lu#, Wenna Ding#, Wei Xu#, Quan Li, Shui-Wang He, Fei Wu, Wenjie Dong, Jie-Qiong Jin, Feng Dong, Xue-Long Jiang, Kai Wang, Peng Guo, Robert W. Murphy, Ya-Ping Zhang*, Jing Che*. Contrasting evolutionary trajectories of terrestrial vertebrates in the Hengduan Mountains hotspot. National Science Review, 2025, https://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwaf157.

2. Wei Xu#, Yun-He Wu#, Wei-Wei Zhou, Hong-Man Chen, Bao-Lin Zhang, Jin-Min Chen, Wei-Hua Xu, Ding-Qi Rao, Hai-Peng Zhao, Fang Yan, Zhi-Yong Yuan, Ke Jiang, Jie-Qiong Jin, Mian Hou, Da-Hu Zou, Li-Jun Wang, Yu-Chi Zheng, Jia-Tang Li, Jian-Ping Jiang, Xiao-Mao Zeng, You-Hua Chen, Zi-Yan Liao, Cheng Li, Xue-You Li, Wei Gao, Kai Wang, Dong-Ru Zhang, Chen-Qi Lu, Ting-Ting Yin, Zhao-Li Ding, Gui-Gang Zhao, Jing Chai, Wen-Ge Zhao, Ya-Ping Zhang, John J. Wiens*, Jing Che*. Hidden hotspots of amphibian biodiversity in China, PNAS, 2024, 121(20), e2320674121.

3. Alex Plimo Karuno, Xue Mi, You-Hua Chen, Da-Hu Zou, Wei Gao, Bao-Lin Zhang, Wei Xu, Jie-Qiong Jin, Wen-Jing Shen, Song Huang, Wei-Wei Zhou*, Jing Che*. Impacts of climate change on Herpetofauna diversity in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Conservation Biology, 2023, 37(6), e14155.

4. Ting-Ting Fu#, Yan-Bo Sun#, Wei Gao#, Cheng-Bo Long, Chun-Hua Yang, Xin-Wang Yang, Yi Zhang, Xin-Qiang Lan, Song Huang, Jie-Qiong Jin, Robert W. Murphy, Yun Zhang*, Ren Lai*, David M. Hillis*, Ya-Ping Zhang*, Jing Che*. The highest-elevation frog provides insights into mechanisms and evolution of defenses against high UV radiation, PNAS, 2022, 119(46), e2212406119.

5. Wei Gao#, Chuan-Xin Yu#, Wei-Wei Zhou#, Bao-Lin Zhang, E. Anne Chambers, Hollis A. Dahn, Jie-Qiong Jin, Robert W. Murphy, Ya-Ping Zhang*, Jing Che*. Species Persistence with Hybridization in Toad-Headed Lizards Driven by Divergent Selection and Low Recombination, Molecular Biology and Evolution, 2022, 39(4), msac064.

6. Wei Xu, Wen-Jie Dong, Ting-Ting Fu, Wei Gao, Chen-Qi Lu, Fang Yan, Yun-He Wu, Ke Jiang, Jie-Qiong Jin, Hong-Man Chen, Ya-Ping Zhang, David M. Hillis*, Jing Che*. Herpetological phylogeographic analyses support a Miocene focal point of Himalayan uplift and biological diversification, National Science Review, 2020, 8(9), nwaa263.

7. Chen-Qi Lu, Jing Chai, Robert W. Murphy, Jing Che*. Giant salamanders: Farmed yet endangered, Science, 2020, 367(6481), 989.

8. Fang Yan, Jing-Cai Lü, Bao-Lin Zhang, Zhi-Yong Yuan, Hai-Peng Zhao, Song Huang, Gang Wei, Xue Mi, Da-Hu Zou, Wei Xu, Shu Chen, Jie Wang, Feng Xie, Min-Yao Wu, Han-Bin Xiao, Zhi-Qiang Liang, Jie-Qiong Jin, Shi-Fang Wu, Cun-Shuan Xu, Benjamin Tapley, Samuel T. Turvey, Theodore J. Papenfuss, Andrew A. Cunningham, Robert W. Murphy*, Ya-Ping Zhang*, Jing Che*. The Chinese giant salamander exemplifies the hidden extinction of cryptic species, Current Biology, 2018, 28(10), R590-R592.

9. Jing Che#, Hong-Man Chen#, Jun-Xiao Yang, Jie-Qiong Jin, Ke Jiang, Zhi-Yong Yuan, Robert W. Murphy*, Ya-Ping Zhang*. Universal COI primers for DNA barcoding amphibians, Molecular Ecology Resources, 2012, 12(2), 247-258.

10. Jing Che, Wei-Wei Zhou, Jian-Sheng Hu, Fang Yan, Theodore J. Papenfuss, David B.Wake*, Ya-Ping Zhang*. Spiny frogs (Paini) illuminate the history of the Himalayan region and Southeast Asia, PNAS, 2010, 107(31), 13765-13770.