Anping Zeng, the first Chinese German professor elected as a member of the German National Academy of Science and Engineering, has joined Westlake University full time as chair professor of synthetic biology and bioengineering as well as the founding director of the Center for Synthetic Biology and Integrated Bioengineering.

A leading scientist in the field of biotechnology, Zeng was among the first to use a genome and structure-based metabolic engineering method to develop industrial bioprocesses, notably for the biosynthesis of diols and amino acids. In the area of electrobiotechnology, he created a novel all-in-one electrobioreactor to realize in situ biosynthesis, and also conceived of a new and highly efficient co-production process for 1,3-propanediol and organic fatty esters. His work has laid the foundation for the industrialization of diol biosynthesis, distinguishing him as the world's most influential scholar in this field.

Zeng was previously a chair professor and director of the Institute of Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering at Hamburg University of Technology, where he had also directed the bachelor- and master-level study programs in Biochemical Engineering. His other many distinctions include serving as a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering and an editor-in-chief for the journal "Engineering Life Sciences." He has published more than 300 papers in peer-reviewed journals, edited five academic books and filed for more than 20 patents.

Zeng's primary research interests encompass industrial biotechnology, cell culture technology, protein engineering, system metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. At Westlake, his Center for Synthetic Biology and Integrated Bioengineering aims to carry out innovative research for the new generation of biopharmaceuticals, biomaterials, and core technology for large-scale biomanufacturing based on carbon dioxide and solar energy.