JIAN-CHENG CHANG
No.28, Aly. 21, Ln. 101, Nanyuan St., North Dist., Tainan City 704, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
0972-967-700
Jan.Chang@worldveg.org
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
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Broadly trained Ph.D., with specialties in plant molecular genetics, phylogenetics, systematics,
molecular evolution, population genetics, bioinformatics, genetic engineering, and DNA
marker development.
Master of Engineering degree, with concentration in molecular mechanisms of gene
regulation and gene discovery.
Master of Science degree, with concentration in programming, database administration, and
computer networking.
Strong troubleshooting and problem solving skills.
Demonstrated ability to focus and follow through, with an efficient and productive work
record.
Works effectively with colleagues at all levels.
Committed team player, with excellent organizational and management skills.
Highly adaptable and trainable, fast learner.
Enjoys the challenges of research and experimentation.
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS BOSTON, Boston, MA
Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology, 2012
Dissertation: Comparative genomic analysis of the Asteraceae: the evolution of intron gain,
loss and size change and correlations with genome size and ploidy level
Advisor: Dr. Richard V. Kesseli
TUFTS UNIVERSITY, Medford, MA
M.E., Biomedical Engineering, 2005
Thesis: Gene Expression of CRH Receptors in Mice Cochlea
Advisor: Dr. Douglas E. Vetter
BOSTON UNIVERSITY, Boston, MA
M.S., Computer Science, 2002
Project: Bank Automated Transaction Machine System and Method
Advisor: Dr. Kuang-Jung Huang
TAMKANG UNIVERSITY, Taipei, Taiwan
B.S., Mechanical Engineering, 1997
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center, Taiwan (R.O.C.), 2011–present
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in the Unit of Entomology (designated to Scientist Biotechnology in the Unit of Molecular Genetics, validated on March 16th, 2014)
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Used molecular techniques to develop new pest management packages.
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Developed projects to better understand the neural regulation system within various pest
models.
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Utilized molecular markers to identify cryptic species complex such as whitefly (Bemisia
tabaci) and thrips (Order Thysanoptera).
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Investigated genes involved in the biosynthesis of sex pheromone in Maruca vitrata and other
lepidopteran insect pest.
Jian-Cheng Chang
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University of Massachusetts, Boston, 2005–2011
Research Assistant in Dr. Kesseli’s laboratory
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Participated in cDNA library construction of several composite species in the Compositae
Genome Project Database (CGPDB; http://cgpdb.ucdavis.edu/), and submitted retrieved
sequences
to
NCBI
GenBank
(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?mode=Info&id=4210).
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Initiated the Conserved Ortholog Set (COS) markers and successfully developed 232 sets of
putative universal primers.
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Optimized PCR conditions for amplification of hard to amplify sequences.
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Used COS universal primers to determine that intron length polymorphisms are independent
of genome size and ploidy level, but closely correlated to phylogenetic relatedness in the
Asteraceae.
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Identified rare intron loss and gain events among the COS loci, which showed that events of
evolutionary divergence provide valuable benchmarks for constructing more detailed
phylogenetic relationships.
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Compared endangered Eastern Silvery Aster (Symphyotrichum concolor) in Nantucket with
another widespread population from North Carolina. Scored Polymorphic biallelic SNPs and
determined alleles using PHASE. Found no obvious allelic differentiation between the two
populations.
University of Massachusetts Boston, 2005–2010
Teaching Assistant in Genetics Laboratory
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Provided research support in genetics studies designed to advance understanding of
Mendelian genetics, DNA analysis, recombination and genetic maps.
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Initiated the use of the Virtual Genetics Lab (VGL), a simulation of transmission genetics that
approximates the hypothesis-testing environment of genetics research. Conducted a weekly
half-day workshop on the VGL to help students understand the logic of genetic analysis.
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Invited to improve and rewrite the Genetics Lab Manual.
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Organized and launched Biology 252, a genetics course that offered an online discussion
forum for more efficient communication among instructors, teaching assistants, and students.
SCISCAPE (http://www.sciscape.org), 2005–2006
Section Editor
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Participated in the introduction and translation of worldwide news in life sciences research and
development for the Taiwanese audience.
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Contributed 8 articles, primarily associated with plant, evolutionary, and molecular biology.
Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 2004–2005
Research Assistant in Dr. Vetter’s Laboratory
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Used in situ hybridization experiments to examine how specific signals of CRH-R1, CRHR2α, and CRH-R2β are expressed in and associated with outer and inner hair cells and
supporting cells.
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Used recombinant DNA technology as an approach to in situ hybridization, and generated an
appropriate hybridizing RNA probe.
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Isolated, perfused, decalcified mice cochleas, which were then embedded in OCT,
cryoprotected, sectioned, and analyzed.
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Used light microscopy to examine cochlear morphology and gain understanding of the
hybridization of CRH-receptor mRNA in adult mice.
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Predicted that CRH-receptor-deficient mice will show hearing impairment, due to the failure
of potassium ion recycling pathway.
Jian-Cheng Chang
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THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARMY, Taiwan, 1997–1999
Personnel Sergeant
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Assumed responsibility for personnel issues, including promotions, leave, merits, rewards,
and punishments.
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Developed and directed project to transfer paper based unit documentation into Oracle
database.
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Designed, programmed, and implemented user interface for database, using Visual Basic.
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Maintained and updated personnel affairs database.
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Connected unit database to others; constructed city-wide Metropolitan Area Network (MAN).
RESEARCH TECHNIQUES
Molecular Techniques: amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), dideoxy sequencing,
DNA cloning and bacterial transformation, DNA/RNA isolation, electroporation, genomic and
cDNA libraries construction and screening, northern blot assay, plasmids culture, polymerase chain
reaction (PCR), radiolabeling of antibodies, random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD),
real-time PCR, restriction enzymes manipulation, reverse-transcriptase (RT) pcr, sequence
characterized amplified region (SCAR), single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP),
southern blotting
Genetics Techniques: plant sexual crosses, chromosome staining and banding, in situ hybridization
Bioinformatics: DNA & protein sequence analyses
Microscopy: confocal microscopy, electron microscopy (TEM & SEM), fluorescence microscopy,
spectrophotometric measurement of the nuclear DNA content
Tissue Engineering: tissue culture
Protein Purification: affinity chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, gel filtration
Protein Analysis: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), SDS-PAGE electrophoresis,
western blot
COMPUTER SKILLS
Operating Systems: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Mac OS X, Linux
Internet Protocols/Networking: LAN
Programming Language: C, C++, Java, JavaScript, Perl, Python, Ruby, Visual Basic, HTML,
XML
Software Applications: Borland C++ Builder, Database Dreamweaver, JBuilder, Mathcad, Matlab,
MS Office, Object Oriented Management System, OLIGO, Oracle, SPSS, SQL, Systat, Visual
Studio, XML Spy
PUBLICATIONS
Chang, J.-C., & Ramasamy, S. (2013). Molecular-Phylogenetic Characterization of Arrestin-2
From Maruca vitrata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 106(3): 359–370
Chang, J.-C., & Ramasamy, S (2013). Identification and expression analysis of diapause hormone
and pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (DH-PBAN) in the legume pod borer,
Maruca vitrata Fabricius. PLOS ONE (accepted).
Chang, J.-C., & Ramasamy, S (2013). Phylogeographical structure in mitochondrial DNA of
eggplant fruit and shoot borer, Leucinodes orbonalis Guenée (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in
South and Southeast Asia. Mitochondrial DNA (in review).
Srinivasan, R., Yule, S., Chang, J.-C., Malini, P., Lin, M.Y., Hsu, Y.C. and Schafleitner, R. (2013).
Towards developing a sustainable management strategy for legume pod borer, Maruca
vitrata on yard–long bean in Southeast Asia. In: Holmer R, Linwattana G, Nath P, Keatinge
JDH, eds. 2013. Proceedings of the Regional Symposium on High Value Vegetables in
Southeast Asia: Production, Supply and Demand (SEAVEG2012), 24-26 January 2012,
Jian-Cheng Chang
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Chiang Mai, Thailand. AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center, Publication No. 12-758.
AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center, Taiwan. pp. 76-82.
Abang, A.F., Srinivasan, R., Kekeunou, S., Hanna, R., Chagomoka, T., Chang, J.-C., and Bilong,
C. F. (2013). Identification of okra (Abelmoschus spp.) genotypes resistant to aphid (Aphis
gossypii Glover) in Cameroon. African Entomology (minor revision).
Chang, J.*, Chapman, M. A.*, Weisman, D., Kesseli, R. V., & Burke, J. M. (2007). Universal
markers for comparative mapping and phylogenetic analysis in the Asteraceae (Compositae).
Theor. Appl. Genet. 115(6), 747–755. (*Jian-Cheng Chang and Mark A. Chapman
contributed equally to this work.)
FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS
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University of Massachusetts Department of Biology Excellence In Teaching Award, 2009
Lipke Biology Fund, University of Massachusetts Boston, 2007
Domestic and International Conference Participation Grant for Study Abroad, Ministry of
Education of the Republic of China, 2007
University of Massachusetts Fellowship, 2005–2010
Army Diploma recognizing computerization of unit system, 1999
PRESENTATIONS
Chang, J.-C. and Srinivasan, R. (2013). Phylogenetic pattern and population structure of the
Bemisia tabaci species complex in South and Southeast Asia. Oral presentation at the 34th
Annual Meeting of Taiwan Entomological Society.
Chang, J.-C. and Srinivasan, R. (2013). Transcriptome analysis of the chemosensory gene families
of the legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). Poster presented at
International Chemical Ecology Conference, Melbourne, Australia.
Chang, J.-C. and Srinivasan, R. (2012). Molecular characterization of diapause hormonepheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (DH-PBAN) from legume pod borer,
Maruca vitrata F. Oral presentation at Semio-chemicals: The Essence of Green Pest Control,
Bursa, Turkey.
Srinivasan, R., Yule, S., Chang, J.-C., Malini, P., Lin, M.Y., Hsu, Y.C., and Schafleitner, R. (2012,
January). Towards developing a sustainable management strategy for legume pod borer,
Maruca vitrata on yard-long bean in Southeast Asia. Poster presented at the SEAVEG
Symposium, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Chang, J., Yu, M., and Kesseli, R. V. (2010, October). Phylogenetic signal, not genome size as a
predictor of intron size variation in the sunflower family. Poster presented at the 8th Annual
Symposium in Plant Biology, Amherst, Massachusetts.
Reed, E., Chang, J., Tsirelson, D., Imboywa, S., and Kesseli, R. V. (2010, August). Phylogenetic
Analysis and Characterization of Rapid Evolutionary Change in the Sunflower Family
(Asteraceae), via Universal Markers for Rare Intron Gain and Loss Events, and
Quantitative Trait Loci Analysis. Poster presented at Plant Biology 2010, Montréal, Canada.
Chang, J., Weisman, D. R., Menz, T. J., and Kesseli, R. V. (2007, January). Development and
Characterization of Comparative Anchor Tagged Sequences (CATS) for Comparative
Genome Analysis in Asteraceae. Poster presented at the Plant & Animal Genome XV
Conference, San Diego, California.
Menz, T. J., Chang, J., Timms, L., and Kesseli, R. V. (2005, August). Constructing universal
primers from orthologous sequences (COS) in the Asteraceae (sunflower family). Poster
presented at 2005 University of Massachusetts Boston Research Experience for
Undergraduates in Integrative and Evolutionary Biology, Boston, Massachusetts.
Jian-Cheng Chang
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RECENTLY ATTENDED SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCES/MEETINGS
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Eighth Annual Symposium in Plant Biology, Amherst, Massachusetts
October, 2010
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5 Annual Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology Research Symposium, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania
April, 2010
Plant Biology 2009, Honolulu, Hawaii
July, 2009
Sixth Annual Symposium in Plant Biology, Amherst, Massachusetts
October, 2008
Fifth Annual Symposium in Plant Biology, Amherst, Massachusetts
October, 2007
Plant & Animal Genome XV Conference, San Diego, California
January, 2007
University of Massachusetts Boston Research Experience for Undergraduates in Integrative
and Evolutionary Biology, Boston, Massachusetts
August, 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2010
MEMBERSHIPS IN PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
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Taiwan Society of Evolution and Computational Biology
Taiwan Entomological Society
American Society of Plant Biologists
American Association for the Advancement of Science
TriBeta, Biology Honor Society
University of Massachusetts Biology Club
Chinese Institute of Engineers
2013–present
2013–present
2009–2012
2009–2012
2005–2010
2005–2010
1994–1997