1. Personal Profile

Zhao Yan, female

Main research areas:

Work and study experience: 

2020/02 present: Associate Professor, Department of Geology, Northwestern University

2019/06-2020/01: Lecturer, Department of Geology, Northwestern University

2017/07-2019/05: Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Geology, Northwestern University  & nbsp; Collaborative supervisor: Researcher Zhai Mingguo

2012/09-2017/06: Department of Geology, Northwest University, majoring in mineralogy, petrology, and mineral deposits, Ph.D& nbsp; & nbsp; Mentor: Professor Sun Yong

2008/09-2012/06: Northwest University, Department of Geology, Geology (Base Class) major, undergraduate & nbsp;

II. Teaching Situation

Teaching Courses:

(1) Introduction to Geochemistry (Third Year Undergraduate in Geological Base Class) & nbsp;< Excellent Teaching Evaluation for the First Semester of 2024-2025

(2) Introduction to Geochemistry (Third Year Undergraduate in Resource Exploration Engineering)

(3) Magmatic and Metamorphic Rock Petrography (Second Year Undergraduate in Resource Exploration Engineering)

(4) Metamorphic Rock Petrography (Second Year Undergraduate in Geological Base Class)

(5) Hancheng Field Geological Cognitive Internship (First Year Undergraduate)

III. Research Situation

1. Academic Paper

Corresponding author's paper 

[1] Li Xiaoqi< Zhao Yan*, Zhang Ruiying, Ao Wenhao, Lan Caiyun, Li Chao, 2025 The granites of the Houhe Complex on the northern margin of the Yangtze River and their response to the ancient Proterozoic orogeny Journal of Rock Mineralogy, 44(1) , 24-50,  https://doi.org/10.20086/j.cnki.yskw.2025.4087.

[2] Hu Yuhua, Zhao Yan*, Zhang Chengli, Zhai Mingguo, George, P.M., Sajeev, K., Ao Wenhao, Gou Longlong, Lu Junsheng, 2025. Significance of ~3.0 Ga magmatic event in the Dharwar Craton, India: Evidence from gabbroic diorite in the Central Dharwar Block. Acta Geochimica, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11631-025-00757-y.

[3] ZhaoYan*, Ao Wenhao, Zhu Tao*, Hu Yuhua, Tian Zhibo, Zhang Ruiying, Zhao Jiao, 2022. Paleoproterozoic (Ca. 2.1-1.9 Ga) dioritic-granitic magmatism in the Dunhuang Terrane, Northwestern China: Implications for petrogenesis and tectonic evolution. Lithos, 432-433, 106915,  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2022.106915.

[4] Ao Wenhao, Zhai Mingguo*, Zhao Yan*, Zhang Chengli, Sun Yong, P.M. George, K. Sajeev, Gou Longlong, Lu Junsheng, Hu Yuhua. 2021.  Paleo-Mesoarchean crustal growth and reworking in the western Dharwar Craton, southwestern India: Evidence from trondhjemitic gneiss and granitic gneiss. Precambrian Research, 367, 106428, < a class="doi" href=" https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2021.106428 " target="_blank"> https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2021.106428 .< br/>

[5] Zhao Yan*, Zhai Mingguo, Zhang Chengli, Sun Yong, Gou Longlong, Lu Junsheng, Sajeev, K., George, P.M., Ao Wenhao, Hu Yuhua, Xu Xiaofei. 2021. Zircon-monazite geochronology and P-T evolution of the Sargur Greenstone Belt: Implications for the end-Archean tectonics of the Dharwar Craton in southern India. Precambrian Research, 364, 106384, 10.1016/j.precamres.2021.106384.

[6]  Zhao Yan*, Ao Wenhao, Zhang Hong, Wang Qian, 2020. Possible imprints of late Paleoproterozoic orogeny in the Dunhuang terrane, NW China: Constraints from igneous and metapelitic rocks. Precambrian Research, 350, 105918,  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2020.105918 .

[7] Zhao Yan*, Ao Wenhao, Zhang Hong, Wang Qian, Zhai Mingguo, Sun Yong. 2019. Latest Paleoproterozoic (ca. 1.8–1.6 Ga) extensional tectonic setting in the Dunhuang terrane, NW China: Evidence from geochronological and geochemical investigations on A-type granite and metamafic rock. Lithosphere 11(6), 834-854.

[8] Zhao Yan*, Ao Wenhao, Yan  Jianghao, Zhai Mingguo, Zhang Hong, Wang Qian, Sun Yong. 2019.  Paleozoic tectonothermal event in Mt. Dongbatu, Dunhuang terrane, southernmost Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB): Implications for petrogenesis and geological evolution. Lithos, 326-327, 491-512.

[9] Yan Zhao*, Yong Sun, Wenhao Ao, Hong Zhang, Tao Zhu. 2019. Depositional age, provenance and tectonic significance of Precambrian metasedimentary rocks from the Dunhuang Complex, NW China: Evidence from field investigation, zircon U–Pb geochronology and whole–rock geochemistry. Precambrian Research, 326, 272-294.

[10] Zhao Yan*, Sun Yong, Diwu Chunrong, Zhu Tao, Yan Jianghao. 2017. Paleozoic intrusive rocks from the Dunhuang tectonic belt, NW China: Constraints on the tectonic evolution of the southernmost Central Asian Orogenic. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 138, 562-587.

[11] Zhao Yan*, Sun Yong, Diwu Chunrong, Guo Anlin, Ao Wenhao, Zhu Tao. 2016. The Dunhuang block is a Paleozoic orogenic belt and part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), NW China. Gondwana Research, 30, 207-223.

[12]Zhao Yanarch, 271, 83-97.

[13]Zhao Yan, Sun Yong 2018. Composition and Evolution of Pre Cambrian Geological Bodies in Dunhuang Composite Orogenic Belt< Journal of Rock Science, 34 (4), 963-980.

[14]Zhao Yan, Fifth Chunrong, Zhu Tao, Wang Hongliang, Sun Yong 2015. Discovery of Late Devonian plagioclase granite in the Sanwei Mountain area of Dunhuang and its geological significance< Journal of Rock Science, 31 (7), 1855-1869.

[15]Zhao Yan, Fifth Chunrong, Ao Wenhao, Wang Hongliang, Zhu Tao, Sun Yong In 2015,~3.06 Ga granodiorite gneiss was discovered in the Dunhuang plot< Strong>Scientific Bulletin, 60 (1), 75-87.

[16]ZhaoYan, Fifth Spring Rong, Sun Yong, Zhu Tao, Wang Hongliang 2013. Zircon U-Pb ages, Hf isotope compositions, and geological significance of pre Cambrian rocks in the Shuixiakou area of Dunhuang, Gansu Province< Journal of Rock Science, 29 (5), 1698-1712.

Co authored paper

[1] Li Chao, Tong Laixi, Liu Zhao, Peng Touching,Zhao Yan. 2022. P-T paths and U-Pb ages of pelitic and semi probabilistic granules in the Yunkai massif and implications for the tectonic evolution of the Wuyi Yenkai Ogen, South China. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 224, 105010.

[2] & lt;span style=" font-family:";& quot;& gt;He, H.L., Zhai, M.G., Lu, J.S., Zhao, Y., Zhang, C.L., George, P.M., Sajeev, K., Rajkumar, P., Gou, L.L., Ao, W.H., Hu, Y.H., 2021. Lower crust-mantle interactions in the massif-type anorthosite formation: New evidence from zircon U-Pb-Hf-O isotopes of the Neoproterozoic Kadavur Complex, southernIndia. Lithos, 380-381, 105836.

[3] Zhou Feng, Gou Longlong *, Zhai Mingguo, Zhang Jianli, P.M. George, Lu Junsheng< Zhao Yan, Ao Wenhao 2021. petrological and zircon U-Pb geochronological study of Neoarchean calcium silicate rocks in the Namakkal block of the southern Indian granulite terrane Journal of Rock Science, 37(4), 1213-1234.

[4]  Ao Wenhao, Zhao Yan, Zhang Yukun, Zhai Mingguo Zhang Hong, Zhang Ruiying, Wang Qian, Sun Yong.  2019. The Neoproterozoic magmatism in the northern margin  of the Yangtze Block: Insights from & nbsp; Neoproterozoic (950–706 Ma) gabbroic-granitoid rocks of the Hannan Complex. Precambrian Research, 333, 105442.

[5] Tao Zhu*, Hongliang Wang, Yan Zhao, Xueyi Xu, Zhipei. 2019. Palaeozoic diorites from the south-western Dunhuang terrane, NW China: Constraints on tectonic evolution of southernmost CAOB. Geological Journal, 1-19.

[6] Ao Wenhao *, Feng Tao< Zhao Yan, Zhai Mingguo, Sun Yong 2018. Early Cretaceous magmatic activity and its tectonic significance in Lingshan Island Journal of Rock Science, 34 (6), 1612-1640.

[7] Zhang Hong *, Liang Huaying< Zhao Yan, Ling Mingxing, Sun Weidong 2018. Study on trace element geochemical characteristics of apatite in the Yulong porphyry copper deposit belt in eastern Tibet Geochemistry, 47 (1), 14-32.

[8] Zhu Tao *, Wang Hongliang, Xu Xueyi< Zhao Yan, Li Zhipei, Zhu Xiaohui 2018. Zircon U-Pb ages and Hf isotope characteristics of biotite plagioclase gneiss in Duobagou area, Gansu Province Geological Bulletin, 37(4), 682-692.

[9] Chunrong Diwu*, Yong Sun, Yan Zhao, Shaocong Lai. 2014. Early Paleoproterozoic (2.45–2.20 Ga) magmatic activity during the period of global magmatic shutdown: Implications for the crustal evolution of the southern North China Craton. Precambrian Research, 255, 627-640.

[10] Chunrong Diwu*, Yong Sun, Yan Zhao, BingXiang Liu, Shaocong Lai. 2014. Geochronological, geochemical, and Nd-Hf isotopic studies of the Qinling Complex, central China: Implications for the evolutionary history of the North Qinling Orogenic Belt. Geoscience Frontiers, 5, 499-513.

[11] LIU Ye, DIWU Chunrong*, ZHAO Yan, LIU Xiaoming, YUAN Honglin, and WANG Jianqi. 2014. Determination of trace and rare-earth elements in Chinese soil and clay reference materials by ICP-MS. Chinese Journal of Geochemistry, 33, 95-102.

[12] Ao Wenhao *, Zhang Yukun, Zhang Ruiying< Zhao Yan, Sun Yong 2014. Neoproterozoic crustal accretion event on the northern margin of Yangtze: evidence from geochemical, zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb geochronology, and Hf isotope studies of the Sinian Zushidian plagioclase granite Geological evaluation, 60 (6), 1393-1408.

[13] Jia XiaoLiang, Zhu XiYan *, Zhai MingGuo,Zhao Yan, Zhang Hong, Wu JiaLin, Liu Tao. 2016. Late Mesoarchean cruise growth event: Evidence from the ca. 2.8Ga Granular gneisses of the Xiaoqing area, southern North China Craton. Science Bulletin, 61 (12), 974-990.

Reviewer for journals such as Lithos, Precambrian Research, Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, Lithosphere, Geological Magazine, Geoscience Frontiers, International Geology Review, etc

2. Research Projects 

[1] National Natural Science Foundation of China General Project, Distribution Characteristics of Pre Cambrian Rocks and Construction of Geological Event Sequence in Dunhuang Area (42172214), 2022/01-2025/12, Chair, in Research

[2] Shaanxi Provincial Natural Science Basic Research Program General Project (Youth), Determination of Metamorphic Stages of Dunhuang Block: U-Pb Chronological Evidence of Metamudstone Solitary Stones (2020JQ-587), 2020/01-2021/12 Host, Conclusion

[3] National Natural Science Foundation of China Youth Fund Project, Dunhuang Paleoproterozoic (2.0~1.8 Ga) Granitic magmatism and its geological significance (41802199), 2019/01-2021/12, hosted and concluded

[4] General funding from the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, Paleoproterozoic sodium rich magmatic rocks and their constraints on tectonic evolution in Dunhuang area (2017M623222), 2017/09-2019/05, hosted and concluded