Hebei Agricultural University, China
Gang Zhang, a native of Hebei Province, is an associate professor and master’s supervisor at Hebei Agricultural University. He obtained his B.Sc. in Animal Science from Northwest A&F University in 2015 and completed his Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition and Feed Science at China Agricultural University in 2021. That same year, he began postdoctoral research at the Agricultural Engineering Postdoctoral Research Station, China Agricultural University. In September 2024, he joined Hebei Agricultural University as a “Young Talent” faculty member in the College of Animal Science and Technology. His research is centered on the nutrition and feed safety of monogastric animals such as pigs and rabbits. Dr. Zhang has published extensively in high-impact journals, contributing to the understanding of feed additives, gut health, nutrient digestibility, and immune function in livestock. His interdisciplinary expertise bridges practical animal husbandry with advanced feed science to improve animal health and production efficiency.
Profile
Orcid
Education :
Gang Zhang earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from Northwest A&F University in 2015, where he gained a foundational understanding of livestock biology and management. He pursued his doctoral studies at China Agricultural University, completing a Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in 2021, with a focus on feed evaluation and functional additives for monogastric animals. His doctoral training provided rigorous expertise in nutrient metabolism, feed formulation, and digestive physiology. Immediately following, he conducted postdoctoral research at the Agricultural Engineering Postdoctoral Research Station of China Agricultural University, enhancing his experimental and analytical skills in animal feed technologies and safety assessments. His academic path reflects a solid grounding in theoretical knowledge and applied research methodologies in animal agriculture. In 2024, he joined Hebei Agricultural University as a young scholar, contributing to both academic teaching and high-impact research in the College of Animal Science and Technology.
Experience :
Gang Zhang has accumulated progressive academic and research experience in animal science and nutrition. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in 2015, he was immersed in doctoral research at China Agricultural University, where he specialized in monogastric animal nutrition. In 2021, he transitioned to a postdoctoral researcher role at the Agricultural Engineering Postdoctoral Research Station, contributing to cutting-edge research on feed efficiency, digestive health, and nutritional interventions in swine and rabbits. In September 2024, he was appointed as an associate professor at Hebei Agricultural University under the “Young Talent” initiative. At Hebei Agricultural University’s College of Animal Science and Technology, Dr. Zhang supervises master’s students and leads projects on feed safety, functional additives, and gut microbiota modulation. His hands-on experience spans controlled feeding trials, nutrient digestibility assays, and microbiome analysis. His multi-level academic journey integrates research, supervision, and teaching in animal feed innovation and livestock health optimization.
Awards and Honors :
Gang Zhang was recruited in 2024 as a “Young Talent” by Hebei Agricultural University—an honor recognizing promising early-career researchers. While specific award titles are not listed, his appointment as an associate professor and supervisor soon after his postdoctoral training highlights his academic excellence and leadership potential. His rapid progression from Ph.D. to postdoc and faculty position reflects institutional recognition of his impactful research in animal nutrition. His publications in top-tier journals such as Journal of Animal Science, Animals, Frontiers in Veterinary Science, and Animal Feed Science and Technology showcase his scientific contributions, often as first or co-corresponding author. He has earned respect in the academic community through his peer-reviewed studies on feed additives, gut microbiota, and nutritional biochemistry. His recognition is also evident through collaborative roles in multi-author projects, mentorship of graduate students, and selection into competitive research roles in leading agricultural institutions across China.
Research Focus :
Gang Zhang’s research is focused on monogastric animal nutrition, particularly pigs and rabbits, with an emphasis on the functional and safety evaluation of feed ingredients and additives. His work investigates how dietary components—such as zinc chelates, tea tree oil, and fermentable fibers—impact growth performance, nutrient digestibility, gut health, and immune responses. He employs a multidisciplinary approach combining animal physiology, microbiome analysis, and feed technology to explore sustainable alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters like zinc oxide. His studies frequently examine feed-induced modulation of gut microbiota and fermentation profiles, aiming to enhance animal health while reducing environmental impact. His research contributes to improving feed efficiency and reducing diarrhea incidence in weaned piglets, and optimizing antioxidant and immune functions in livestock. By integrating nutritional biochemistry with advanced feeding trials, Dr. Zhang is advancing the development of high-performance, safe, and eco-friendly feed strategies for monogastric animal production systems.
Conclusion
Dr. Gang Zhang exemplifies the qualities of an emerging leader in animal nutrition research. His focused contributions on improving feed efficiency, gut health, and sustainable feed alternatives for monogastric animals reflect both scientific merit and practical value. With a strong foundation of peer-reviewed publications and a growing academic presence, he is well-positioned to make continued, meaningful advancements in his field. While there are opportunities to further expand his international visibility and research leadership, his trajectory to date demonstrates excellence, innovation, and dedication. Dr. Zhang is a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award and merits strong consideration for this recognition.
Publication
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Title: Effects of Ursolic Acid on Immune Function and Antioxidative Capacity in Weaned Rabbits
Authors: Liu, Y.; Chen, S.; Wu, F.; Chen, B.; Li, C.; Yang, X.; Zhang, G.; Hu, M.
Year: 2025
Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15152159
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Title: Effect of Extrusion on Available Energy and Amino Acid Digestibility of Barley, Wheat, Sorghum, and Broken Rice in Growing Pigs
Authors: Zhang, G.; Zhang, G.; Zhao, J.; Liu, L.; Zhang, Z.
Year: 2024
Link: https://doi.org/10.5713/ab.23.0285
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Title: Feeding Dietary Fermentable Fiber Improved Fecal Microbial Composition and Increased Acetic Acid Production in a Nursery Pig Model
Authors: Zhang, G.; Zhao, J.; Song, X.; Yang, M.; Wang, H.; Wu, Y.
Year: 2023
Link: https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skad260
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Title: Short-Term Changes in Dietary Fat Levels and Starch Sources Affect Weight Management, Glucose and Lipid Metabolism, and Gut Microbiota in Adult Cats
Authors: Mo, R.; Zhang, M.; Wang, H.; Liu, T.; Zhang, G.; Wu, Y.
Year: 2023
Link: https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skad276
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Title: Grape Seed Proanthocyanidin Improves Intestinal Inflammation in Canine Through Regulating Gut Microbiota and Bile Acid Compositions
Authors: Zhang, M.; Mo, R.; Wang, H.; Liu, T.; Zhang, G.; Wu, Y.
Year: 2023
Link: https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.202300819RR
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Title: Avenanthramide Improves Colonic Damage Induced by Food Allergies in Mice Through Altering Gut Microbiota and Regulating Hsp70-NF-κB Signaling
Authors: Liu, P.; Zhang, M.; Liu, T.; Mo, R.; Wang, H.; Zhang, G.; Wu, Y.
Year: 2023
Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15040992
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Title: Effects of Hawthorn and Chinese Yam Extracts on Growth Performance, Intestinal Health, and Immune Function in Weaned Pigs
Authors: Fu, L.; Sun, M.; Dong, W.; Zhang, G.; Han, D.; Zang, J.; Liu, H.
Year: 2022
Link: https://doi.org/10.1111/asj.13790
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Title: Effects of 25(OH)VD3 on Growth Performance, Pork Quality and Calcium Deposit in Growing-Finishing Pigs
Authors: Zhang, Z.; Zhang, G.; Cao, J.; Qiu, B.; Qin, X.; Zhao, J.
Year: 2022
Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13010086
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Title: Effects of Protein-Chelated Zinc Combined with Mannan-Rich Fraction to Replace High-Dose Zinc Oxide on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, and Intestinal Health in Weaned Piglets
Authors: Zhang, G.; Zhao, J.; Lin, G.; Guo, Y.; Li, D.; Wu, Y.
Year: 2022
Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12233407
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Title: Effects of Tetrabasic Zinc Chloride on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility and Fecal Microbial Community in Weaned Piglets
Authors: Zhang, G.; Hu, G.; Yang, Z.; Zhao, J.
Year: 2022
Link: https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.905242