Dr. Jan is currently the President of National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) in Taichung, Taiwan, and a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in plant pathology from NCHU in 1986 and 1988, respectively, 1998, he earned a Ph.D. degree in molecular plant pathology from Cornell University, Ithaca, USA. His major expertise is in plant biotechnlogy and molecular plant virology with special emphasis on tospoviruses and begomoviruses. He is teaching the courses “Plant Virology” and Plant Biotechnology at NCHU.

Our lab is actively involved in the identification and characterization of plant viruses infecting ornamental plants—such as Phalaenopsis orchid, calla lily, carnation, and lisianthus—as well as cucurbitaceous and solanaceous crops in Taiwan. We have developed a variety of diagnostic techniques for the detection of plant viruses and viroids. Notably, we established a transgenic strategy for broad-spectrum virus resistance using a chimeric construct that triggers post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS). Currently, we are enhancing this approach by integrating transcriptional gene silencing (TGS) and genome editing technologies to control major plant viruses.

Ongoing collaborative projects include:

1. Establishing virus-free and healthy seedling nurseries for ornamental and fruit crops;
2. Developing transgenic plants with multiple virus resistances by combining gene editing and gene silencing technologies;
3. Creating smart and portable detection platforms for orchid viruses;
4. Functionally analyzing the movement protein of Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) in relation to mechanical transmissibility and identifying its interacting host factors;
5. Using RNA-Seq to identify host factors involved in the early infection stage of Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV);
6. Identifying and functionally characterizing resistance genes against plant viruses;
7. Investigating virus–virus interactions that result in antagonism and affect mechanical transmissibility and host range during mixed infections.