ECR Spotlight is a series of interviews with early-career authors from a selection of papers published in Journal of Experimental Biology and aims to promote not only the diversity of early-career researchers (ECRs) working in experimental biology but also the huge variety of animals and physiological systems that are essential for the ‘comparative’ approach. Yuan-Jie Li is an author on ‘ Metabolic responses reveal insight into interspecific variation in heat tolerance of three co-existing pest aphid species’, published in JEB. Yuan-Jie conducted the research described in this article while a PhD student in Hervé Colinet's lab at University of Rennes, France. Yuan-Jie is now a postdoc in the lab of Hannes Schuler at Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Italy, investigating how insects adapt to their environment from gene to community level.
Yuan-Jie Li
How did you become interested in biology?
I became interested in biology through my early experiences growing up in a small village in Henan Province, an agricultural region of China. Working in the fields with my grandparents, I witnessed the challenges of farming and wanted to study agriculture to improve the situation. During university, I joined a student organization focused on protecting the Yangtze finless porpoise, where I conducted surveys in fishing communities. This exposure to wildlife conservation deepened my curiosity about the natural world and made me realize that I wanted to work in the field. My passion for biology grew further when I received a scholarship to study in Xishuangbanna, a tropical region rich in biodiversity. Surrounded by incredible plants and animals, I became fascinated by how different organisms adapt to their environments. This experience nurtured my love for natural history and solidified my path in biology.
Describe your scientific journey and your current research focus
My scientific journey has been somewhat unconventional, as I have shifted my research field several times. As an undergraduate, I studied genetically modified crops, working on gene function validation. After doing a lot of molecular experiments, I soon realized that I didn't enjoy spending all my time in the lab. In addition, my lack of organization at the time made molecular work particularly frustrating. During my graduate studies, I switched to community ecology, focusing on the interaction networks between parasitic plants and their hosts and the factors that determine community assembly. I really enjoyed doing fieldwork and collecting data in the wild. For my PhD, I switched to climate change biology, using insects as my study system. I became particularly interested in how climate change, especially extreme temperature events, affects organisms, with a focus on thermal-sensitive insects. Fortunately, I am still studying insects in my postdoctoral research, but I am now exploring the host–symbiont co-evolution at the genomic level.
How would you explain the main findings of your paper to a member of the public?
With climate change, extreme heat is becoming more frequent, benefiting some species while harming others, ultimately altering community structures. This is particularly important for pest species that threaten crop yields. Our research explores this issue from a physiological perspective. We found that not all aphids respond to heat the same way – one species, Rhopalosiphum padi, was significantly more heat tolerant than the others. This species had unique protective mechanisms, synthesizing higher levels of polyols and amino acids that may help prevent heat damage. In contrast, the other two species showed greater signs of stress and energy depletion. These findings help explain why some aphid species are becoming more dominant in warmer regions, potentially affecting crop health and pest management. Understanding these physiological differences can help farmers and scientists develop better strategies to control pests in a changing climate.
Why did you choose JEB to publish your paper?
I chose JEB because of its strong focus on animal physiology and its excellent reputation in the field. I also came across JEB's brochures, which feature engaging articles and interviews with early-career scientists, which I found both inspiring and motivating. In addition, I appreciate the thoughtful layout of the articles and the journal's commitment to effective science communication, which helps scientists increase the impact of their research on the public. Furthermore, JEB offers several publication options, including free publication (non-Open Access), which is helpful for researchers who don't have much funding to pay for publication.
What do you enjoy most about research, and why?
I enjoy analyzing experimental data to uncover answers to the questions I am investigating. For me, being a scientist is like being a detective – both rely on gathering evidence to solve mysteries. While data collection can be a long and challenging process, the moment when analysis reveals a clear answer makes it all worthwhile. That discovery – the instant when a mystery is finally solved – is the most exciting part of research. I also find great fulfillment in communicating science to the public. I hope to inspire awareness of the beauty and intelligence of other living beings and highlight the profound connections between human activities and the natural world.
What is the most important lesson that you have learned from your career so far?
The most important lesson I've learned is to approach challenges with a light-hearted and playful mindset while maintaining a serious commitment to science. When a task feels daunting, I sometimes procrastinate, but I've realized that the difficulty often exists more in my mind than in reality. Instead of overthinking, I've learned to dive in – treating each challenge like a game where I navigate and conquer obstacles step by step. This mindset not only makes problem-solving more enjoyable but also helps me stay resilient and motivated in my research.
Yuan-Jie Li's contact details: Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Universitätsplatz 5, 39100 Bozen, Italy.
E-mail: [email protected]
