Meet the Candidates!

Filippo Del Bene, PhD
Institut de la Vision
Paris, France


Candidate Materials:

I am honored to be nominated for the position of President of the International Zebrafish Society (IZFS) and would consider it a privilege to contribute to the continued growth of our society. Since my PhD, I have been an active participant in international zebrafish meetings, where I have witnessed the remarkable scientific and technological advances that have transformed our community over the past two decades. These interactions have deepened my appreciation for the field’s collaborative spirit and for the many ways the zebrafish model has accelerated discovery in both basic and translational research.

My primary scientific interest is the development and function of neural circuits in the visual system. Over the years my laboratory has pursued mechanistic studies of circuit assembly and function, and more recently we have contributed novel genetic and optical tools for precise manipulation and observation in zebrafish. These methodological advances have helped make zebrafish an even more powerful and versatile model system, facilitating cross-disciplinary work spanning neurobiology, genetics, and systems neurosciences.

I currently serve as a board member of the European Society for Fish Models in Biology and Medicine and as European delegate member for IZFS. I have advocated for broader adoption of fish models, fostered connections between basic and translational researchers, and supported efforts to improve training and infrastructure. I also actively promote zebrafish research through organizing meetings, participating on grant and manuscript review panels, and serving in editorial roles. These experiences have given me insight into the needs and priorities of diverse groups within our community — from trainees to established investigators, and from basic scientists to clinical translational teams.

If elected President, I will work to advance the IZFS along several complementary fronts:

• Upholding and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion across the IZFS. I recognize the political and logistical challenges we face, but I am committed to pursuing every reasonable avenue to ensure our community remains open, fair, and supportive.
• Strengthening coordination and collaboration across societies: Many of our goals are shared with related organizations such as EZS and ZDMs. I will work to enhance communication and coordination among IZFS, EZS, and ZDMs to reduce duplication, increase the impact of our meetings and educational efforts, and create opportunities for joint initiatives. Where appropriate, I will promote the organization of coordinated or joint meetings to better serve the global zebrafish community.
• Promoting global engagement: I will seek to broaden IZFS’s reach by supporting regional activities, facilitating international collaborations, and ensuring our society’s programs are accessible to researchers worldwide, including those in under-resourced settings.

I am deeply grateful to our community for its collegial and supportive spirit, which has been essential to my own development as a scientist. If given the honor to serve as President, I will dedicate myself to preserving and strengthening these qualities while working pragmatically to expand opportunities, foster inclusion, and enhance scientific exchange across our global community.

Han Wang, PhD
Soochow University
Suzhou, China


Candidate Materials:

For over two decades, I have studied zebrafish circadian clocks and sleep. I served as Chair of the Organizing Committee for the 3rd National Zebrafish Conference of China (2013) and as Lead Organizer for the 14th International Zebrafish Conference (IZFC) (2019) in Suzhou. I have also served on committees for the 18th IZFC in Kyoto (2024), the 12th Zebrafish Disease Models Conference in Boston (2019), and the Asian Conferences on Fish Models for Diseases (2023–2026).

Within IZFS, I served as East Asia Representative (2020–2023) and currently as Treasurer (2023–present), and have contributed to the IZFS Newsletter and Awards Committees. I also serve on the Board of Directors for the International Society for Chronobiology (ISC) and as President of the Chinese Society for Chronobiology (CSC).

I am honored to be nominated for IZFS President-Elect. If elected, I will fulfill the duties outlined in the IZFS Bylaws and work with the executive team to strengthen the society’s governance, expand its global reach, and better serve the international zebrafish research community.

My strategic priorities for IZFS include:

1. Advocacy: Promote the zebrafish model to the scientific community, funders, and industry partners.
2. Program Excellence: Deliver world-class IZFC, SCZI, and online webinars that address the evolving needs of researchers worldwide.
3. Member Engagement: Expand high-impact resources, networking, and professional services for members.
4. Global Collaboration: Strengthen partnerships with allied zebrafish research societies and international scientific organizations.
5. Next-Generation Development: Foster mentorship, training, and career development initiatives to empower early-career scientists and students.

Wiebke Herzog, PhD
Freidrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
Erlangen, Germany


Candidate Materials: 

I have enjoyed working with zebrafish since starting my PhD, and have over the years especially appreciated the openness and collaborative attitude of the zebrafish community.

I have endeavored to pass on these values to my students along with teaching an enthusiasm for science in general and for the zebrafish model in particular.

I am a developmental biologist with a research focus on blood vessel formation, signaling pathways regulating brain angiogenesis and blood brain barrier formation as well as principles of cell migration. I have engaged actively locally in communicating with the authorities for setting zebrafish care standards, participated in organizing local events and throughout my career enjoyed becoming friends with scientists from different cultural backgrounds. I still enjoy very much meeting new members of the community and therefore am an advocate for open bar evenings at conferences.

I am strongly committed to foster an international, diverse and interactive community according to the IZFS's mission and will especially focus on generating support and mentoring for the younger scientist generations.

Yonghua Sun, PhD
Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Wuhan, China


Candidate Materials:

I am the founder and director of the China Zebrafish Resource Center (CZRC; Web: http://www.zfish.cn), a major resource center serving the global zebrafish community. Through CZRC, we have systematically collected zebrafish lines generated across China and facilitated their distribution to researchers worldwide. I have been deeply committed to promoting the application of zebrafish in biological and biomedical research. Over the past 10 years, I have organized 25 National Zebrafish Technical Workshops, providing hands-on training to early-career scientists and PhD students. Through these efforts, I have closely witnessed the rapid expansion of the Chinese zebrafish community. As the principal organizer, I have successfully led all six Chinese Zebrafish Principal Investigator Meetings (CZPM), with the most recent meeting in 2024 attracting over 300 participants. Over the past two decades, my research has focused on gametogenesis and embryonic development using zebrafish as a model system. More recently, I developed a cross-species surrogate reproduction technology that enables the generation of genome-edited commercial fish species using zebrafish as a host, thereby opening new avenues for applying zebrafish in aquaculture biotechnology. I have extensive experience in scientific leadership and community service, including serving as a Board Director of the International Zebrafish Society (IZFS) from 2022 to 2025, Vice President and Secretary-General of the China Zebrafish Society since 2016, and Director of the National Aquatic Biological Resource Center of China since 2019. It is a great honor to be nominated for the position of Treasurer of IZFS. With my experience in managing large-scale research programs and national resource platforms, I have developed strong organizational and financial coordination skills that are directly relevant to this role. If elected, I will work closely with colleagues around the globe and contribute to the continued development of the Society.

Fumi Kubo, Ph.D.
RIKEN Center for Brain Science
Wako, Japan


Candidate Materials:

I am honored to stand as a candidate for East Asia Regional Representative of the International Zebrafish Society (IZFS). Since my postdoctoral training in 2010, the zebrafish has been the central model for my research in systems neuroscience and genetics. My career has been defined by a global perspective, having worked in research environments across Japan, Germany, and the United States. These experiences provided a deep understanding of diverse scientific landscapes and the practical challenges faced by researchers across different regions.

I am deeply committed to the IZFS mission of advancing research through collaboration and mentorship. Currently, I serve as a Member of the Board of Directors for the Japan Neuroscience Society and as a Co-Investigator for the Zebrafish division of the National BioResource Project in Japan. Through these roles, I have gained extensive experience in institutional leadership and community advocacy. If elected, I intend to prioritize empowering early-career researchers, fostering international synergy to catalyze rigorous scientific discovery, and amplifying the representation of East Asian research within the global IZFS framework. I believe in a collaborative approach grounded in scientific rigor and transparency, and I look forward to the opportunity to strengthen the global connections within our society.

Tao P. Zhong, PhD
East China Normal University
Shanghai, China


Candidate Materials:

As one of the early zebrafish researchers focusing on cardiovascular development, I have long been committed to advancing the application of zebrafish models in biological and biomedical research. Over the past two decades, I have pursued my research career at Vanderbilt University in the United States, as well as Fudan University and East China Normal University in Shanghai, China, and have provided hands on training to PhD students and early career scientists. In 2017, I organized the International Forum on Development and Disease Models and the 5th China Zebrafish Conference, which drew more than 1,000 participants, and I have witnessed the rapid growth of the zebrafish research community in China and East Asia. In recent years, my research has expanded to include cardiac metabolism and disease, hematopoietic stem cells, and genome editing technology. We have elucidated the roles of PGE2 signaling and HEY2 transcriptional regulation in embryogenesis and cardiac metabolism, revealed epigenetic mechanisms underlying hematopoietic stem cell regulation, and contributed to the development of base editing technology. I possess extensive experience in scientific leadership and academic service, having served as a Standing Committee Member of the China Zebrafish Society, Chair of the Cardiac Health Committee of the Shanghai Society of Genetics, and Director of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at East China Normal University. It would be a great honor to be nominated as a candidate for the position of East Asia Director on the IZFS Board. If elected, I will actively represent and advocate for the Chinese and East Asian zebrafish community and foster deeper international collaboration. I look forward to working closely with colleagues worldwide and contributing to the ongoing development of the International Zebrafish Society.

Nicholas S. Foulkes D.Phil.​​​​​​​
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology & University of Heidelberg
Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen & Heidelberg, Germany


Candidate Materials:

It is truly a great honour to be considered for the position of Europe and West Asia Director in this 2026 IZFS Board of Directors Election. Back in the 1990s, Uwe Strähle first introduced me to zebrafish as an animal model during my postdoctoral training at the IGBMC in Strasbourg. This led to me starting my own independent research group in 2000 at the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology in Tübingen directed by Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard. Then, since 2007 my group has been based at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) as a joint appointment with the University of Heidelberg.

Over this period I have used zebrafish to study the circadian clock and DNA damage repair with a goal to understand how the environment has shaped the evolution of these core cellular functions. I have learned to appreciate the great value of zebrafish in comparative studies together with other fish models such as medaka as well as species inhabiting extreme environments, notably blind cavefish.

I am currently serving as a board member of the European Zebrafish Society and am highly motivated to foster and invest in the international zebrafish community via our own activities at KIT. These include the European Zebrafish Resource Center as well as community training, notably the FELASA-accredited International Zebrafish and Medaka Course. A vibrant future for zebrafish research is totally reliant on the success of young researchers. Supporting their career development is my priority.

Pia Rengtved Lundegaard, PhD
University of Copenhagen
Copenhagen, Denmark


Candidate Materials:

It is an honour to be nominated for a position on the IZFS Board of Directors. The IZFS plays a central role in connecting and supporting a vibrant and collaborative global zebrafish community, and I would be very happy to contribute to this mission.

For more than a decade, my research has used the zebrafish model to investigate the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac disease. My laboratory integrates human genetics, with the advantages of the zebrafish model, to study how mutations in structural genes such as TTN and DES give rise to arrhythmias, cardiomyopathies, and cardiac fibrosis.

Alongside my research, I have been strongly engaged in zebrafish infrastructure, training, and animal welfare at the university of Copenhagen, where is also serve as Scientific Head of a zebrafish facility, and am a member of the FELASA working group on the humane killing of laboratory fish, as well as a co author of the FELASA recommendations “Methods of humane killing of laboratory fish”.

Through these roles, I actively contribute to best practices, experimental rigor, and high ethical standards in zebrafish research.

If elected to the IZFS Board, I will work to support scientific excellence, promote responsible and ethical zebrafish research, and strengthen collaboration across disciplines and career stages. I would be honoured to serve the zebrafish community through the IZFS Board of Directors.

Wenbiao Chen, PhD
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, USA


Candidate Statement:

I am truly honored to be nominated as a candidate for the US and Canada position on the 2026 IZFS Board of Directors. Although I am a member of several other academic societies, IZFS holds a special place in my heart. I have been using the zebrafish model to study development and diseases since 1997. My research spans from methods development to mechanistic investigation, with a focus on the mechanisms of adaptation and maladaptation of pancreatic endocrine cells under metabolic stress. Over my career, I have benefited tremendously from the generosity and collaborations of zebrafish researchers worldwide.

I hope you will support my candidacy. If elected, I will represent the regional strength to maintain the culture of sharing and collaboration in the global fish community. I will strongly advocate for training, equity, and career development. I will promote the use of the fish models to help address fundamental and translational questions.

Rubén Marín Juez, PhD
University of Montreal
Montreal, Canada


Candidate Materials:

It is an honor to be nominated for the IZFS Board as the United States & Canada representative. Since first working with zebrafish, I have recognized its extraordinary power to transform our understanding of biology. With over 15 years of experience, my research explores how cells communicate to build and regenerate tissues. Since I moved to Canada, I have been deeply committed to promoting the zebrafish model and building a stronger, more connected research community. Recognizing the need for greater visibility and collaboration, I co-organized the first two Canadian Zebrafish Meetings, which provided a platform for knowledge exchange and networking. I also helped establish the Canadian Zebrafish Research Community group under the umbrella of the IZFS, serving as its president until 2025. In this role, we have led multiple initiatives to increase the visibility of zebrafish research, facilitate technology and reagent sharing, and foster collaborative opportunities. These efforts reflect my dedication to creating an inclusive and dynamic hub for zebrafish science. Also, I actively contribute to the International Society for Regenerative Biology where I work to highlight emerging voices in the field and give visibility to cutting-edge zebrafish research. I am strongly committed to supporting young scientists by creating opportunities for them to present their work and connect with the global community. The zebrafish community has long been known for its openness, creativity, and spirit of collaboration. If elected, I will use my experience to advocate for our US and Canadian communities and help carry that legacy forward within the vibrant IZFS and beyond.

Ian Scott, PhD
The Hospital for Sick Children, Program in Developmental, Stem Cell and Cancer Biology; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto
Toronto, Canada

Candidate Statement:

I am honoured to be nominated for a position on the IZFS board. Having been involved in the study of zebrafish cardiac development since 2001, the collegial and open nature of the zebrafish community continues to invigorate and renew my passion for research and collaboration. My previous service and experience includes co-organizing the sadly cancelled 2020 Weinstein Cardiovascular Development conference, which ran with great success in 2024. I have served as session co-chair for several developmental biology conferences, and have served as a peer review member, scientific officer and panel Chair for several Canadian agencies. My most rewarding roles to date has been to serve as Graduate Coordinator for our large (350 students) graduate program, as well as director for a cross-department U of T developmental biology training program. These experiences crystallized my view that a major goal of large societies such as the IZFS should be to promote the quality of training and exposure to opportunities for growth for our junior members. If selected to serve the IZFS, I would strive to work with trainees to maximize and build upon existing opportunities for education, networking, outreach and career planning/professional development.

Zhaoxia Sun, PhD
Yale University School of Medicine
New Haven, USA


Candidate Materials:

My research centers on understanding the role of cilia in normal development and disease conditions. This journey began in Nancy Hopkins’ laboratory, where my colleagues and I isolated a collection of zebrafish mutants. These mutants have since become a shared resource, used by researchers across the community. My commitment to interdisciplinary research has also shaped my work-- collaborations with colleagues in nephrology and Pediatrics has broaden the scope of research in my lab.

Beyond the bench, I have devoted significant time and effort to education, mentorship and community service. As a co-director of graduate admission for the MCGD track of Yale, and a co-Director of Graduate Studies of Yale Genetics, I worked to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for the next generation of scientists. I mentored graduate students and postdocs, and I currently serve as the Treasurer of the Asian Faculty Association at Yale. Those experiences have deepened my understanding of how organizations can better serve their members, particularly members from diverse backgrounds.

I am deeply honored to be nominated for the position of US and Canada Representative of IZFS. The zebrafish community is at a critical juncture. While new discoveries are being facilitated by rapid technology development, we are facing profound challenges in securing funding, attracting new investigators and effective communication with diverse communities. If selected, I will work to address these challenges by advocating for the unique strengths of animal models, strengthening connections between senior and earlier career researchers, and supporting education and mentorship initiatives. I would be grateful for the opportunity to serve.